Southampton supporters can be beginning to get somewhat tetchy about their aspect’s probabilities of beating the drop, even with the Premier League season solely 5 video games in.
Russell Martin‘s Saints are but to choose up a win within the testing division, however it might’ve been oh-so totally different final weekend after promising Southampton youth product Tyler Dibling opened the scoring towards one other relegation-threatened outfit in Ipswich City.
Nonetheless, Sam Morsy for the away aspect would produce other concepts late on and delivered a sucker punch proper on the demise to disclaim Martin’s males an elusive three factors.
A minimum of the South Coast aspect managed to choose up a draw on this contest, with a latest 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at St Mary’s nonetheless a sore scoreline to abdomen, as Jack Stephens actually struggled defensively towards Erik ten Hag’s Crimson Devils.
Stephens’ performances this season
Recognised as a well-thought-of servant at Southampton, with 185 video games for the Saints now below his belt and the captain’s armband on his sleeve, Stephens nonetheless hasn’t been ready to deal with the step-up in high quality up to now.
He was notably poor towards Man United, with the skilled 30-year-old even despatched off late on within the one-sided affair after this poorly-timed sort out stopped Alejandro Garnacho in his tracks.
Every day Mail journalist Nathan Salt would dish out a 3/10 match ranking to Stephens after this early bathtub, with the lacklustre centre-back not serving to his aspect in any way after his dismissal, as Garnacho then ended up shaking off the cynical sort out with a late strike to make it 3-0 on the day.
Struggling away at Brentford the sport prior too, with solely one duel received from 5 tried as Thomas Frank’s Brentford put Stephens’ aspect to the sword 3-1, the dismissal towards United has at the very least given Martin meals for thought as to who might change the Saints captain transferring ahead.
Tyler Harwood-Bellis got here into the aspect in Stephens’ place towards Ipswich and appeared stable – with 50 correct passes tallied up enjoying out from defence – because the 30-year-old now worries about his standing in the principle Saints lineup transferring ahead.
Stephens’ wage at Southampton
The defender’s extreme wage additionally does not assist his trigger, with Stephens raking in additional than each Yukinari Sugawara and Ben Brereton-Diaz within the present Saints camp – as per Capology – regardless of the duo each becoming a member of as daring signings simply this summer season.
Sugawara has additionally fitted in seamlessly at Southampton up to now, along with his strike towards Brentford truly breaking his staff’s goalscoring duck within the high division. That stated, he nonetheless finds himself incomes much less per week in contrast subsequent to Stephens’ pay packet.
Based on Capology, Stephens earns £45k-per-week in comparison with the Japanese gem’s £40k-per-week wage, with Ben Brereton-Diaz incomes even lower than the brand new standout Saints defender himsef at £35k-per-week.
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Prime 5 highest earners at Southampton – 24/25 |
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|---|---|
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1. Aaron Ramsdale |
£120k-per-week |
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2. Joe Aribo |
£70k-per-week |
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3. Maxwel Cornet |
£65k-per-week |
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4. Adam Armstrong |
£60k-per-week |
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5. Jan Bednarek |
£60k-per-week |
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Sourced by Capology |
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Stephens is simply £15k-per-week off getting into the highest 5 highest earners at Southampton, along with his latest suspension exposing the actual fact his hefty take dwelling may not be warranted.
With Brereton-Diaz, there can be a hope that he does enhance for the Saints transferring ahead away from Stephens’ woes, as the previous Sheffield United man did fireplace dwelling six objectives final season within the division for the Blades.
Again to Stephens, nevertheless, and Martin might want to have a frank speak with the skilled defender quickly about his future on the South Coast, along with his present deal on the Premier League aspect up subsequent summer season.
He might nonetheless be necessary this season as Southampton goal to maintain their heads above water within the difficult league, however his performances should drastically decide up, after his horror present show towards Man United.
