Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has suggested that the Saints will look to replicate the success they have enjoyed with the signing of Kyle Walker-Peters last season if they go into the market in January.
The Saints have made a strong start to the season and their 3-0 win against Sheffield United on Sunday helped them continue their push for the European places. Southampton’s success on the field could well make them an attractive proposition for players to join in the winter window, and Hasenhuttl has already proclaimed that he has had an increase in agents touting players for them.
Last January, Southampton made the decision to bring in Walker-Peters on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and that enabled them to take a look at the 23-year-old during the second half of the season. Hasenhuttl was sufficiently impressed to make a £12m permanent move for him in the summer window and the right-back is proving to be well worth that fee.
Speaking to Hampshire Live, Hasenhuttl revealed that Southampton are unlikely to be very active in the January window, with the Saints boss believing he has a well-balanced squad. However, he did suggest that any business they do will be similar to the Walker-Peters deal with an eye to the future, saying:
We have a good, balanced squad. We did the right things in the summer, we have alternatives in every position, so it’s not definitely necessary to do immediately something.
If we do something, it is definitely like Kyle Walker-Peters last winter, an investment for the future. Then we can give him a chance to spend a few months before really being an option for the starting eleven.
We did well with Kyle [Walker-Peters] and this can be an opportunity for that.
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Hasenhuttl is right to suggest that the Saints do not need to do too much tweaking to their squad in January. They are in the luxurious position of being able to wait and assess their options without wanting to upset the balance of their squad.
However, Hasenhuttl has shown that he is able develop young and talented players as he has done with Walker-Peters since his initial loan arrival at the start of this year. That move has worked wonders for the Saints so far this term, with the full-back showing that he has the ability to suit their system and the way they want to play.
Southampton should have full faith in Hasenhuttl now the way things are progressing and, if he identifies a young and talented player he feels could come in and improve the squad, then he should get the backing to do so. Strengthening when they are on the up would be a wise thing to do and St Mary’s should be an attractive prospect for players given the Saints’ rising fortunes.
