---
title: "Was Martina a wasted signing?"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2015/11/10/martina-wasted-signing/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Emery"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2015-11-10T17:03:47Z"
modified: "2015-11-10T17:03:47Z"
---

# Was Martina a wasted signing?

Southampton did make a number of astute signing over the summer; they needed to. The losses of Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne to Manchester United and Liverpool left gaps in the squad and the pending Europa League campaign meant Koeman needed players in for more squad depth.

The likes of Cedric Soares, Virgil Van Dijk and Jordy Clasie have were signed in the summer and have established themselves as essential squad members in the starting XI. Cedric and Van Dijk have arguably been Southampton’s best performers this season as well.

However, there has been one signing that has bewildered fans slightly; Cuco Martina. The Curacao international captain was signed from Dutch side FC Twente for a fee believed to be in the region of £1m. He was thought to have been signed to compete with Cedric was the right back slot after Clyne’s departure.

Yet, he has made just three appearances for Southampton this season. All coming off the bench in the Premier League. Cedric has been fantastic for Southampton so far this season so it is easy to see why Martina was not getting much game time. That has not been the problem, the problem has been that when Cedric hasn’t played, Maya Yoshida has started at right back. He himself has been berated by Saints fans this season for his poor performances on the right side of defence, with Yoshida being a natural centre back and clearly not being able to adapt to an unfamiliar position.

![Christof Koepsel/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/11/481200840.jpg)

It must feel very insulting for Cuco Martina to see a player playing badly and out of position playing ahead of him in the team. Martina is a natural right back, it is his position, so why is Yoshida getting game time ahead of him? If Ronald Koeman doesn’t think he is good enough to play, then why did he sign him in the first place? Fair enough, you can say he hasn’t done anything to warrant a chance, but neither has he had the chance to show he can make it.

Even in the Capital One Cup, Southampton played MK Dons. A low-level Championship team; it would have been the perfect chance for the 26-year-old to show Ronald Koeman what he could offer to the team, but he didn’t play.

It is not a current pressing concern for Koeman in terms of him not playing as he has sufficient cover and can afford for him to be sitting in the reserves. The only thing that bothers me is why he was signed in the first place. Koeman should have gone for a more solid player that wasn’t as much of a gamble.

**Should Martina be given a chance, or just move him on quickly in January or the summer?**