What Southampton’s starting line up would look like if they kept their academy stars.
Southampton have been hitting the headlines lately as their current exodus threatens to decimate their season before it has even began.
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However, like West Ham ten years before them, this exodus has been going on for longer than people realise as the picture below shows the kind of squad they could have had they kept hold of the likes of Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott.
Sorry, Saints fans, this doesn’t make for happy viewing.
Goalkeeper: Artur Boruc
Unlike anyone else on this list, Artur Boruc is still with Southampton. The 34 year-old is one of the best goalkeepers to have played for the club, and performed admirably in last season’s 8th place finish.
Defence: Calum Chambers, Dejan Lovren, Luke Shaw
Teenage full backs Calum Chambers and Luke Shaw moved to Arsenal and Manchester United respectively this summer, while Liverpool brought centre back Dejan Lovren to Anfield earlier this week.
Midfield: Morgan Schneiderlin, Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Defensive midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has been strongly linked with Tottenham Hotspur today, Adam Lallana joined Liverpool this summer and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to Arsenal in August 2011.
Attacking midfield: Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Jay Rodriguez
Theo Walcott joined Arsenal in January 2006, and has since become a vital part of the Gunners’ forward line. Gareth Bale moved to Tottenham Hotspur in July 2007 before Real Madrid then convinced Spurs to part with their star asset last summer. Despite currently being sidelined with a serious knee injury, Jay Rodriguez is reportedly close to joining former Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino at White Hart Lane.
Striker: Rickie Lambert
This summer, Rickie Lambert joined Liverpool, the club he has supported since childhood, and although the 32 year-old has come under some criticism for being a somewhat underwhelming Luis Suarez replacement, he could prove an effective option for Brendan Rodgers. Last season Lambert managed double figures for both goals and assists in the Premier League, and Liverpool would be delighted with the same return.
Full team: