Jack Stephens Linked With Move To Watford

According to Watford fans social media, the Hornets are said to be chasing a move for Saints central defender Jack Stephens, this could be part of a chain reaction should he leave.

Whilst I have never been the greatest fan of Jack Stephens I have to say I respect him as a good club man and squad player, he has had a role to play at St Mary's and I'm not facetious enough to say something nasty about him in this respect.

So the news that Watford may be coming in for him is good in that if we are willing to let him go then, it would leave us a little short in the central defender department, so you would assume that it would mean that we have incoming before the end of the transfer window.

During his time at St Mary's Jack has started 109 Premier League game in the 5 1/2 years since he made his Premier League debut in January 2017 at the age of 23, but the bulk of these were played in the early part of his time in the first team squad.

He has spent several spells out on loan, the first were at Swindon Town in League one across 1 1/2 seasons, followed by going for a years loan to Middlesbrough in the Championship, this was not successful and he was recalled in the January after making the first team just once in the League.

He then joined Coventry City for the rest of that season (2015/16) in League One.

Since then he has been a regular member of the Saints squad and at times commanded a spot as first choice, he is also versatile able to play in several positions, but ultimately the blunt truth is at Premier League player he is a good squad player.

I would suggest that given his contract and the wages he is being paid at Southampton, that a loan deal is the more likely of the two options and a permanent deal would be out of Watford's wage structure.

What to read next:

Return Dates Set For Injured Southampton Duo Ramsdale And Bednarek
If you thought that things couldn't get worse for Russell Martin after the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, then think again, injuries to two key players in the past fortnight have added to his woes.

Do Southampton Need To Recall Bella-Kotchap For Liverpool Clash
With Jan Bednarek seemingly set to miss his first Premier League game of the season, Saints are struggling for central defenders to take on the League leaders Liverpool at St Mary's, is it time to bring in a player out of the cold.

Does Shea Charles Prove That Russell Martin's Player Judgement is Flawed
There has been a lot of words typed on the internet about Russell Martin and his tactics, but is this just the reason as to why we are doing badly in the Premier League, last season there was a clear evidence that his player selection is not what it should be.

Central Defensive Injury Blow For Southampton
If the next few weeks were going to be tough with the potential absence of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, then they are now getting much worse with the news that a central defender has been injured in International duty over the weekend.

England England's Number 16
It was a dream England debut for Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis, in front of his future Father in law ex Manchester United & Republic of Ireland legend Roy Keane, not only scoring but also nearly getting an assist.

Nick's Saints Saints Away Travel Lay On 6th Coach For Brighton
Brighton away was the first fixture Southampton fans looked for when they came out back in June so there was great disappointment when the game was switched to a Friday night as it means it's virtually impossible to get back on the train.

Saints Not Afraid Of Sacking Russell Martin Even If They Have To Pay
Recent reports have suggested that Southampton have not dispensed with the services of Russell Martin due to the alleged £12 million compensation cost. However it is now suggested that this is not the case and that if they do lose faith they are willing to pay the price.

Southampton Settle Russell Martin Compensation With Swansea City
Its dragged on a bit, but Saints have finally sorted out the compensation package with the Swans for Russell Martin's switch from South Wales to the South Coast, although the details of the settlement are rather vague.

Goalkeeper To Have Surgery As Saints Season Gets Even Worse
One of the highlights, if you can say their were any, of the last few months, was the arrival from Arsenal of Aaron Ramsdale, but now comes some terrible news, that he has injured a finger.

Sources Say Southampton Have Made Decision About Russell Martin
The last two days have been ones of frustration for fans of Southampton Football Club, after a toothless display at Wolverhampton Wanderers, many were convinced that this would surely be the end of the line for the Saints manager.