Like Salisu a player who has all the potential and we could have done with him this season, however he did not want to play in the championship as he felt it affected his chances of getting back in the Germany squad and he is the first of our departures so far to have left only on loan, so he will return next season. At PSV Eindhoven though he has not flourished, in the Eredivisie he has started just 2 games plus 1 off the bench. Verdict Grass is not greener.

Another who could have done a job in the Championship, but he chose to go to Lyon on loan with the French club having an option to buy, initially it went well and he started his first four games, but after coach Laurent Blanc was sacked he was dropped and has spent most of the time on the bench, either way he has not played a minute since 3rd September. Verdict: The grass hasn't been greener and it looks like he will be back at St Mary's next season.

Mohammed Elyounoussi

Elyounoussi's contract expired and he never really showed what he could do in the Premier League, although he was never as bad as some would have you believe. He signed for FC Copenhagen where he has scored 4 goals in 16 games in all competitions. Verdict: Grass is greener

Ibrahimo Diallo

Never let Saints down, although being a midfield spoiler some didn't appreciate his qualities, he is another who at Championship level could have done a job. He joined Al-Duhail of Qatar and has done well in the League there so far, starting 3 games and scoring 2 goals plus an assist, which perhaps shows the standard out there. Good luck to him. Verdict: Grass is greener in terms of both minutes on the pitch and money.

Dan NLundulu

Dan was never going to be a Premier League player but got game time, which perhaps shows that our squad last season had more depth than in previous years, he spent the last two years of his Saints career out on loan and in the summer Joined Bolton Wanderers in League one after his contract ended, there he has started just 3 games in the League and another 9 off the bench and is yet to score. Verdict: Grass is not greener at Bolton but he was never going to flourish at St Mary's.

Romain Perraud

Romain Perraud's two seasons at St Mary's saw him as a decent back up, who perhaps played more games than he would have if Tino Livramento had not been injured, however in some eyes he has taken on legendary status due to him not being Ryam Manning. I don't like to run down Perraud, I had nothing against him, but the truth is he didn't fit into Russell Martin's system and had to go, it would have been interesting to see if he would have done any better than Manning. He joined Lyon in France and like Caleta-Car is not getting a game, so far he has come off the bench 4 times and played just 31 minutes of football since leaving St Mary's: Verdict Grass is not greener at Lyon, although he would not have played much at St Mary's this season.

Lyanco

A whole hearted player who did do a job in the Premier League at times, was never going to fit into Russell Martin's possession football style though, after failing a medical at Besiktas, he joined Al-Gharafa on loan in Quatar. started his first 3 games before getting sent off in the 4th. Verdict: Grass is greener as he is getting game time, but would have been better in a top class league.

Matteus Lis

Has never played for Saints, but did play against us for Goztepe whom he joined on loan back in the summer, since then he has started all nine of their Lig 1 matches since arriving, Goztepe currently lie 3rd in the table.

Theo Walcott

Another who could have done a job in the Championship, however after looking at his options after his contract expired at Saints, he decided to retire and take things easy. Verdict: Grass is greener for his quality of life.

Willy Caballero

Put in decent displays over his two years with the club on the few occasions he was called upon as 3rd choice keeper, with his contract up he received an offer to be assistant to Enzo Maresca at Leicester City so hung his boots up to head to the East Midlands. Verdict: Grass is greener with a natural progression to coaching.

Paul Onauchu

A controversial signing who was meant to be the saviour of Southampton last season, some would say he wasn't given a chance and we didn't play to his strengths. Either way he was surplus to requirements this season and he joined Trabzonspor alongside Orsic, has started well there with a goal in each of his first 3 Super Ligue games plus an assist, didn't score in his 4th but 3 out of 4 isn't bad. What happens next season for a player on premier League wages but no club willing to match them and buy him permanently is anyone's guess. Verdict: Grass is greener for

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SFC_Referee added 11:39 - Oct 23 Really I think that for all the players we actually wanted to keep, it’s only really been Prowse who’s done that well and really shone at wherever they joined. But it is still kinda satisfying to hear how a few of the lads that thought they were too good for the championship aren’t necessarily doing as well as they thought they’d be doing, and may of been better off staying with us, which makes you wonder if any regret their moves. Although I’m especially interred to see how Livermento and Lavia do turn out, as they’re two players who had that potential to be some of the best players for their positions, but as shown so far by their starts to the season, they may have left just a season too early.

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WestSussexSaint added 13:07 - Oct 23 A couple of issues with this assessment 1) the assessment is based purely on playing time to date. What about the financial benefit they have received, particularly the first 3 who have moved to PL clubs? Arguably those prevented from playing through injury could have been in the same position at Saints. 2) you have been a strong advocate (rightly) for not judging Russell Martin on his first few games but seem quite happy to pass judgement on the players above over a similar period. I would also question the judgement on JWP. Yes he has had a good start to his WHU career but one of the key motivations for him moving was to give him a chance of gaining inclusion in the England squad. That hasn’t happened despite his playing well so has the move actually achieved what he wanted from it?

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wibbersda added 13:54 - Oct 23 Am I the only one who thought Willy Caballero was utter trash?
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AgrellaSFC added 15:10 - Oct 23 Wonder what Bella Kothcap would have been like in the championship. SalisU without the attitude would also have been quality but he seems to be too cocky. Also wished we could have loaned Tino back for the season or even up to Christmas.
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Boris1977 added 10:43 - Oct 24 Good to see Ely doing well. An average player who put in the same level of effort as JWP and who the team seemed to like. I don't think that Perraud was granted legendary status by anyone - he was just one of the bright sparks in a miserable season. Not that RM has stopped trying to break his record of most passes in a team without a win and is playing a much more pragmatic style of football I believe Perraud would have thrived and been a much better option at LB Tall Paul could have played an important role in keeping us up last season if the management had played direct no frills survival football but it didn't happen and what would have been the point staying up for another season of struggle? As for the others, with the exception of JWP, not that bothered.

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Bowlercow added 13:52 - Oct 24 I am convinced that Tino would have been better off staying here for a couple of seasons He would have Ben an automatic starter and at the end would of had his choice of clubs anywhere in Europe
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SanMarco added 17:47 - Oct 24 " it would have been interesting to see if he would have done any better than Manning" - it sure would!!. Perraud has not been granted legendary status - it's just we (nearly) all think he is a lot better than Manning. I actually don't follow or care what departees do. They wanted to go and they went. Full stop
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