Imagine if the Saints managed to hold onto Gareth Bale, Virgil Van Dijk, Luke Shaw, Sadio Mane, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and many more!
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Gareth Bale
The Welsh international is a product of the Southampton academy and in 2006 he became the second youngest player (after Theo Walcott) to represent the club at the senior level at the age of 16 and 275 days.
He would go on to join Tottenham Hotspur and be crowned the best player in the English league before making a move to Real Madrid for a world record fee in 2013 where he’s won among other things four UEFA Champions League titles.
Virgil Van Dijk
He currently holds the honour of being the best player in the English league and he’s the darling of the Liverpool fans but Southampton will be remembered as the team that brought him to the Premier League.
The Saints signed the towering defender from Scottish club Celtic and he represented them for three years before making a switch to Merseyside for a world record fee for a defender at the time. He has won the UEFA Champions League and is on the verge of helping the team lift their first domestic league title in 30 years!
Luke Shaw
The 24-year old is another product of the Southampton academy and he moved to Manchester United in 2014 after attracting Louis Van Gaal’s interest. He’s since won the UEFA Europa League with the club despite having an injury-plagued career!
He’s been named in the PFA Team of the Year and last season he was awarded the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for being a stand out performer for the Red Devils.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
He’s known as Liverpool’s man for big occasions due to his ability to step up in crucial games! The Ox spent 10 years at Southampton’s academy between 2000 & 2010. Arsenal acquired his season in 2011 after representing the Saints for one season at the highest level.
He joined Jurgen Klopp’s side in 2017 and the trophies he’s won over the years include three FA Cups and UEFA Champions League!
Sadio Mane
Some footballers need no introduction and this is one of them! Southampton signed him as an unknown from Red Bull Salzburg in 2014! In two seasons at the club his signature was the most sought after and it’s Liverpool who landed it!
He’s currently the best player in the African continent after helping Liverpool win the UEFA Champions League. The Senegalese is currently on the verge of making history with Liverpool as they look set to lift their first league title in 30 years after the Coronavirus pandemic.
Other notable names
Nathaniel Clyne
Dejan Lovren
Adam Lallana
Morgan Schneiderlin
Theo Walcott
