Ralph Hasenhuttl says Saints could make some signings in January

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has suggested that the Saints are open to the prospect of bringing in a couple of quality additions to their squad in January, but cautioned against any singings who could block first team pathways for young players.

The Saints’ relatively small squad is stretched a little at the moment with  Danny Ings, Nathan Redmond and Jannik Vestergaard all set to be ruled out of the West Ham game tonight and maybe beyond, per Hampshire Live. That left Hasenhuttl with limited options on the substitutes’ bench against Fulham, with Moussa Djenepo and Fraser Forster the two most senior options.

It had been reported that the Saints would not be very busy during the January transfer window, but Hasenhuttl has already admitted that he could be open to signing more experienced players if they fit the squad in the same way that Theo Walcott has done. The Saints have been linked with a move for Manchester United’s Brandon Williams ahead of the mid-seasonwindow.

Speaking to Hampshire Live ahead of the Saints’ clash with West Ham, Hasenhuttl revealed that he is open to signing some more experienced players in January to help bolster the squad. However, he also reiterated his desire not to add too many players to the squad who might prevent younger options from having a chance, saying:

Sure, we could always have more players with quality. For us, we have two alternatives or two option in each positive, most of the time it is an experienced one and a young one.

We also do not want to block the young ones so much. We want to develop them. This was not possible as Fulham as it was tough but in the last game [against Manchester City] I brought the young lads in and they must get the experience, they must learn against big team and be patient.

Read Southampton verdict

Like many teams in the Premier League at the moment, Southampton are seeing their squad depth being tested by the hectic nature of the fixture list and the swift turnaround between matches. Injuries have left the Saints in a position where they look short on experienced players to come off the bench and help rescue or see out matches.

Therefore, the temptation could be to just dip into the market straightway in January to solve some of those short-term issues. However, Hasenhuttl seems to have a long-term view judging by his comments; and while bringing in two or three experienced players would help them over the next few weeks, it could also hinder the progress of rising talents at St Mary’s.

It is a difficult balancing act which they need to ensure they get right. You could see Southampton making one or maybe two additions to their squad in the January window to help them through this period. However, if Hasenhuttl cannot find the right fits for his squad, he may just use the chance to blood some of his youngsters instead.