Nine games from the end, nothing has yet been done wrong for Southampton (23 points), which is only four points behind Nottingham Forest (27), the first club out of the red zone. However, the situation is starting to get more complicated. Especially given the profile of his future opponents: two title candidates (Manchester City and Arsenal), three teams fighting for the top 5 (Newcastle, Brighton and Liverpool), but also two direct competitors for maintenance (Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest).
“In the dressing room there is still faith because the players know they are good enough to do it. We are still in the race and we will fight for it”is motivated despite everything Ruben Selles who first hopes to accomplish the same feat as his predecessor Nathan Jones, winner in early January of Manchester City (2-0) in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
That evening, the Saints had shown exemplary solidarity to exploit all the flaws in Pep Guardiola’s team. With in particular a decisive pass from Roméo Lavia, who faced his former club for the very first time. It was in 2020 that the player trained in Anderlecht joined Manchester City to stay there for two seasons. By climbing from U18 to U23 to finally integrate the first team group in training, and sometimes on the score sheet.
Aware of his talent but also of their impossibility of leaving him enough room to grow, the Citizens finally sold their midfielder last summer to Southampton. Against all the same 12.3 million euros, while the 18-year-old kid had never proven himself in the Premier League before. Nine months later, its value has exploded again, at the same rate as its attractiveness.
“I’m really impressed with what Romeo is doing.”
Considered as “one of the most talented players fans have seen in a long time at Southampton”According to local media Hampshire Live, Romeo Lavia will probably not spend the summer in Southampton. Even if they stay in the Premier League, the Saints will see almost impossible to refuse offers come to their table.
In England, it is also rumored that Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are following his situation very closely, even if Southampton could claim nearly 60 million euros. Unless… Manchester City are already repatriating him thanks to their buyout clause set at “only” 46 million euros. “I’m really impressed with what Romeo is doing.admitted Pep Guardiola this Friday. We have an incredible opinion of him. We were thinking of keeping him but we thought he might not get enough minutes.”
”It’s still too early to talk about a returnsaid the 19-year-old neo-Devil two weeks ago during his first rally in the national team. I remain focused on the rest of the season with Southampton, even if collectively it is complicated. But I keep hope and I remain confident.”
Roméo Lavia (finally) gave an interview: “The criticism after my departure from Anderlecht motivated me”