As the Championship season draws to a close, Southampton are looking increasingly like they could make an instant return to the Premier League next term.
What started as a disaster of a campaign under Will Still, the Saints have somehow managed to perform a U-turn under Tonda Eckert as they power to at least a play-off finish.
The Saints have enjoyed a lengthy unbeaten run which has seen them emerge as shock late contenders for automatic promotion, while they’ve also made it all the way to the FA Cup semi-finals after overcoming Premier League opposition in Fulham and Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing Arsenal side.
However, with their fate uncertain, it is extremely difficult for the South Coast to make concrete plans for next season, although they would be wise to take a leaf out of Sunderland’s book and plan for all eventualities.
Regardless of what transpires, Southampton have several decisions to make in the goalkeeping department, including on the future of long-serving player Gavin Bazunu, but what should the club do about his future?
Southampton must move on Gavin Bazunu this summer
When the Saints signed Bazunu from Manchester City, he slotted in as a first-team regular, making 32 appearances in the 2022-23 Premier League campaign.
Despite being their go-to man between the sticks when they fell to the Championship, doubts have lingered, and although he was first choice up until the New Year, he was loaned out to fellow second-tier club Stoke City.
With his contract up in the summer, Southampton fan pundit Martin Sanders (AKA FootballMartin) believes that his club have an easy decision to make on his future.
He said: “We’ve got a far better goalkeeper at the moment in Daniel Peretz, very good, but, yes, Bazunu, I think his time’s up.
“I don’t think the fans are taking him back or wanting him back, unfortunately. He’s a good guy, good goalkeeper, had his injuries.
“It’s time to try and cash in if they can on him and look to the future, rebuild the goalkeeper department.”
Southampton also have Aaron Ramsdale decision to make
Given that he has now usurped Nick Pope as Newcastle United’s number one, many have forgotten that Aaron Ramsdale is currently on loan from Southampton.
The Magpies took a punt on the England international last summer to provide adequate competition for Pope, and although their season has not lived up to expectations, it would be hard to fault the 27-year-old’s performances.
While the North East club do have an option to buy the shotstopper this summer, there is no obligation to do so, meaning he could yet have a future at St Mary’s, especially if Eckert’s side clinch promotion to the Premier League.
However, Sanders thinks that his club also have an easy decision to make on Ramsdale’s future, too.
He said: “Ramsdale’s out on loan, he’s got to be sold, hasn’t he? Even if we go back to the Premier League, I’d probably sell him.”
With Peretz performing well between the sticks, Saints have the perfect man for the present, but if they do achieve promotion, they have several key decisions to make.
One thing that is looking increasingly likely, though, is that Bazunu may have already played his last game for Southampton.
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