12 Jul 2016 05:09:13
Hi eds does anyone know if there will be any more saints departure? Are there any interest shown to Martina or Yoshida? Thanks in advance.

{Ed001's Note - the most likely to leave is a certain Dutch centre half, who has all the interest in him. The club are looking for a right back, so it would well be that Martina or Soares are expected to leave. However, players are normally bought with the intention of giving them 6 months to a year to bed in, ala Romeu was bought to replace Wanyama etc. I was told that right back is seen as a weakness though, so it might be that the club are just not happy with the current options, rather than an expectation of a sale.}

1.) 12 Jul 2016
12 Jul 2016 10:59:52
Ah, understood Ed. A bit disappointed that between the 3 of our defenders, the one most likely to leave is our best one instead of the fringe players but that's understandable. Hard to sell a player when he doesn't perform well enough to garner any attention. I was expecting one of the two right backs to leave since if we sign another one there'll be 3 in the squad. Not really the news I would've liked to hear but I did ask the question. Cheers, ed.

{Ed001's Note - I am sure the club have a plan in place to deal with it. That is the secret of your success after all.}

2.) 12 Jul 2016
12 Jul 2016 19:08:58
Why would VVD want to leave? Or why on earth would board even allow him to go? He has just signed 6 years extension and said multiple times he's loving life with Saints! I see him as a future Saints captain.

{Ed001's Note - ok.}

3.) 12 Jul 2016
12 Jul 2016 19:42:14
We should appreciate what the Eds share with us, and not get carried away in thinking we are now invincible to outgoings just because a player signs a long term deal.

Van Dijk is ambitious, if we can continue to provide success on the pitch then yes we may keep him beyond this season. But all the same its not out of the realm of impossibility he could depart.

The club have done all they can on their side of things in having him sign a long-term contract but there's no knowing how he and his agent would react if a big club came calling.

{Ed001's Note - if the likes of Man City (who are interested in him as a Kompany replacement/cover) make a move for him, who really thinks he will stay?}

4.) 12 Jul 2016
12 Jul 2016 20:02:44
@Jarkko

Don't you see Ward-Prowse being the future Captain? I expect him to take up the role and Fonte's #6 shirt, as is the shirt trend (Harry Reed has gone from 38 to 28 to 18 and probably 8 when Davis ends his career here) .

5.) 12 Jul 2016
12 Jul 2016 20:29:38
Yes, I appreciate a lot info from Ed :) I was just wondering why an earth would he want move just after signing 6 years extension. And to be honest, I do not think he is ready for Man City yet.

{Ed002's Note - He may not want to move but signing a new contract does not necessarily remove the interest from other clubs. It also depends what the opportunity offered is - as an example the kiddie Shaw (I don't recall his forename) - it was the same situation.}

6.) 12 Jul 2016
12 Jul 2016 22:15:59
What clubs are interested in VVD Ed's? Seem to be a lot of big fee's being banded around for CB's this window. Not surprising seeing as half of Europe's big clubs seem to be rebuilding.

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Spurs and Arsenal have had representatives watching van Dijk but it might well be Everton who make an offer.}

7.) 13 Jul 2016
12 Jul 2016 22:44:00
Thank you for the info ED. I hope we can keep hold of him, although it seem like clubs will test our resolve.

A more general question and potentially stupid question. Do you think to much emphasis put on how 'good' a Cb is individually, as opposed to the defensive system they come from.

Following that last point, do you think that CB's are the hardest players to scout and find talent in?

{Ed002's Note - I think that fans may see it that way but clubs think about integration. Typically clubs find that out and out strikers are difficult to scout.}