Southampton have never had trouble producing high-quality left-backs, and the latest in a long line of academy graduates appears to be on the cusp of the first team.
From Wayne Bridge to Gareth Bale, the lefties of the past have had more than their fair share of success after progressing through the ranks at St Mary’s.
Luke Shaw went on to become the most expensive teenager in world football when he joined Manchester United for £30 million in 2014 after a superb campaign with Saints. Most recently, Matt Targett failed to live up to his early promise but was still moved on for £14 million to Aston Villa.
One big reason behind Targett’s departure was the lack of first-team prospects at Southampton; at the age of 23, pastures new and a regular starting spot elsewhere was preferred. A critical factor, though, was the progression of another young left-back at Staplewood.
Jake Vokins, one of Southampton’s most exciting talents at the moment, was that factor, and if he can continue on the upward trajectory by which his youth career has so far followed, he has all the makings of a capable first-team player.
As his development from 2016 onwards caught the eye, Vokins proceeded to occupy a more involved role in Radhi Jaidi’s Under-23 setup. This is not uncommon for players who have impressed over a sustained period within the youth ranks, but at just 17-years-old, the defender was performing well beyond his years.
At an early age, he adapted seamlessly to the challenges of more competitive football, proving himself to be a reliable player despite his tender years. It’s no surprise that the club jumped at the chance to secure his future with a contract on his 17th birthday, and then last September with an extension until 2021.
Vokins got his first taste of first-team action in pre-season, too. He was a part of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans throughout, featuring in fixtures across the world, as the senior squad stepped up their preparations for the 2019/20 campaign.
He gained valuable experience with fixtures against the likes of Feyenoord and Preston North End, and he even found the back of the net against the latter after intelligently drifting infield to pounce on a loose ball.
Anticipation is a significant facet of Vokins’s style. He reads the game exceptionally well, and seldom hesitates; it is this quality that enabled him to take to U23 football quickly.
Defensively, he is sound, and times his challenges well, but will need to sharpen up his decision-making if he is to force himself into Hasenhuttl’s plans. He can occasionally be rash on and off the ball and will need to marry his breathless style with composure in pressurising situations.
Going forward, Vokins has proven to be a threat. He carries the ball well and selects his passes with purpose; he always scans for space in behind opposition lines and looks to create combination play in wide areas. His crossing is of a reasonable standard, and his control of the ball is good.
With Ryan Bertrand now 30-years-old and the oldest regular in the Southampton side, Hasenhuttl may want to look to the future. Instead of dipping into the market, Saints’ revamped philosophy involves an onus on fast-tracking academy graduates into the first-team picture.
Hasenhuttl’s decision to exclude Vokins from his squad that defeated Fulham in the Carabao Cup last month indicates that he does not yet feel the 19-year-old is quite ready for the step up.
However, with another season of Under-23 football ahead of him – this time in the Premier League 2 Division 1 – there is no reason why he can’t stake his claim for a permanent place in the first-team plans of the manager.
