For most of this season Jan Bednarek was considered by many Saints supporters as a poor signing by Les Reed, yet he came through at the end of the season to show that he could become a good player.

When Jan Bednarek arrived last summer it was initially assumed that he was one for the future, aged 21 he had just broken into the Polish full international squad and it was hoped by many that he would break into the Saints first team squad soon.

His first first team appearance came in the League Cup against Wolves and in an experimental back three alongside Stevens & Yoshida he failed to shine, this lead many as the season started to unravel to hold him up as yet another poor signing by Les Reed.

His second appearance at Fulham in the FA Cup in January saw him being played at right back in a flat back four, he was clearly out of position, but he had a reasonable game leading those present to hope that perhaps he might be a decent signing for the future after all.

But as the season reached it's climax he was yet to make a Premier League start, but with Mark Hughes desperate and Jack Stevens banned, suddenly it was a back three and in came Bednarek for his debut against Chelsea, he had a solid debut also scoring the second Saints goal, but it was soured by a 3-2 defeat.

He would keep his place for all but the final game, missing that after being taken off with concussion at Swansea.

So only 5 Premier League games plus a 3 more in the cups for Bednarek, but in that time he did enough to suggest that he could be one for the future, his problem will be though getting through the log jam in front of him, Saints surely have to sign a quality central defender to replace Van Dijk, then it would be a question of what formation Mark Hughes plays at the back.

If it s two central defenders then a new signing would most likely play alongside Wesley Hoedt with Bednarek competing with Yoshida and Stevens as back up.

The worry is that Saints will not make a central defensive signing, this would be folly, at the moment we do not have any true quality in the centre, Hoedt has possibilities but needs experience alongside him, Bednarek has the potential, but I'm afraid that Yoshida and Stevens will merely confuse the situation.

One good think is that Saints supporters are now hopeful that Jan Bednarek will perhaps have a future at Saints.

Photo: Action Images

highfield49 added 11:06 - May 29 I can't see Hughes wanting to start next season with the same formation and we are in the situation of having a current group of error prone central defenders. I think Bednarek has done enough to retain him in the squad along with Hoedt. That of course leads to the conclusion that either Yoshi should be moved on or Jack should be loaned out or sold and an experienced central defender signed. I have no idea who that might be as In my view Mawson is little better, if better at all, than any of the above and in any event he is recovering from surgery. Perhaps signing another Alderweireld on loan is the answer, anyone any thoughts?

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ItchenNorth added 13:39 - May 29 Considering the timing of his introduction to the side: Bednarek played very well for Saints. I like what I've seen. He was highly regarded in Poland before joining Saints and at Poland under 21 level. He is seen as future starter for their International team and is in Poland's preliminary World Cup squad. Everything points towards a potential starting spot at Saints next season. The case in question again is: we need to find an experienced partner for him.

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KriSaint added 16:27 - May 29 He is not in my starting 11, but I´m glad we have him. His efforts at the end of last season proved that he deserves his place in the squad. I´d like Hughes to bring in an experienced CB like Jonny Evans or Ryan Shawcross or why not both? I don´t think any of the top 6 clubs will move for either of these two, so they are both there for the taking, as I see it. In a three-at-the-back defence I would then start with Evans/Shawcross in the middle, Hoedt to the left and Stephens to the right. Yoshida and Bednarek as cover. Simple really.... :-)

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underweststand added 18:11 - May 31 He didn't over-impress in the early season League Cup fiasco v. Wolves..and managed only a handful of games and a red card for the U23's...but let's face it the lad is barely 21, but the player I saw in the Chelsea game was in another class...not to mention a good goal and he improved in every game in what was the most crucial part of the season. Putting aside his (enforced ) subbing in the Swansea game he certainly made his mark and I'm looking forward to seeing his performances - if he gets into the squad and gets game time - against better class teams in the World Cup . If he does well, we'll be fighting off Liverpool (yet again) when they will be looking for their next CB.

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montecristo added 16:54 - Jun 3 Ive watched a lot of Saints games from Portugal and I cant understand why Saints fans keep having a go at our central defenders. Yoshida does make errors but to me Stephens has let no one down and has often impressed. Saints have far greater priorities than at centre half a top class attacking mid, plus the rehab of Boufal are the priorities along with a top striker like Bas Dost who could become available at Sporting Lisbon. Yes Saints have let goals in they should not have but the major share of the blame must lie in midfield as Romeu has been poor this season, and our defence has been over exposed as a result. Get William Carvalho in and that particular problem is solved. Available on a free transfer too. Many of Sporting s players are leaving having cancelled their contracts legally because of physical assault and lack of support from the club president. Saints need to be somewhere near the front of the queue for some of their players.

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