Brighton veteran to leave for £0? Derby County, Sheffield United & Southampton should move for one-club man | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at three EFL clubs that should consider moves for Solly March this summer

It's been a difficult few years for Brighton and Hove Albion winger Solly March, who has spent the best part of the last three seasons toiling with injury woes.

March, who has spent his entire professional career at the AMEX, emerged as one of the club's most important players during their first years in the Premier League.

Brighton have become synonymous for their exceptional recruitment model over the years, with players such as Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Leandro Trossard, Joao Pedro, and Ben White all passing through the Seagulls at some stage before being sold for lucrative fees.

It's therefore a testament to March and his ability that he has remained an important figure in the squad during that time under numerous different head coaches.

He'd enjoy his best year in the 2022/23 season, scoring seven and assisting nine in 33 top-flight appearances, with shouts of an England call-up being made.

However, knee injuries and an ACL rupture have stalled his career and left him out of the spotlight since, with his contract on the South Coast due to expire this summer.

At 31, it's unclear whether his boyhood club will offer him fresh terms as yet, as FLW takes a look at three potential destinations in the EFL for the Englishman should he leave Brighton this summer.

Derby County

Derby County saw a very busy summer at Pride Park, with numerous incomings and outgoings happening as former Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace stamped his authority on the Rams side.

After a difficult start to the campaign, with just one win in their opening ten league games, concerns were rightfully raised, although since then, they have bounced back and remain in contention for a place in the top six as we approach the latter stages of the season.

Eustace has tended to use a back three system with wing-backs more often than not throughout the year, but has switched to a 4-2-3-1 shape on occasion, meaning he needs players adept at playing both wing-back and either right-back or right-wing.

Brighton's Solly March fits the bill, with the 31-year-old having played as a wing-back on several occasions for the Seagulls, whilst being more than capable of playing on either flank.

With nearly 200 appearances in the Premier League and 75 in the Championship, Eustace would likely value March's experience, as well as his obvious ability, and could provide strong competition for the Rams in numerous positions, regardless of what division they find themselves in next season.

Sheffield United

Similar to Derby, Sheffield United began the season in dismal fashion.

The Blades' experiment under Ruben Selles was extremely short-lived, with the Spaniard winning none of his six games in charge, as it became apparent very quickly that he was not the man to take the club forward.

Chris Wilder returned to the helm just months after his dismissal, and the Blades have risen in the table since, although a spot in the play-offs looks to be beyond their reach now, barring an exceptional run of form.

Their scattergun transfer policy has not paid off, with neither Tahith Chong nor Chiedozie Ogbene making the desired impact from out wide, as it looks increasingly likely that talisman Gustavo Hamer will leave the club this summer.

This will leave Wilder extremely short in wide options next year, something he can remedy with the addition of someone like March.

With the Blades' parachute payments set to expire this summer, their spending will become more limited, likely leading to sales of some of their assets and the signings of frees and loanees.

March fits the bill in this instance, as he could make a significant impact at Bramall Lane for Wilder's side from the flank, and help to mentor someone like Andre Brooks at the same time.

Southampton

A theme is emerging from these clubs, as Southampton, too, began the Championship season in horrific form.

Despite Ryan Manning and Jack Stephens rescuing all three points for the Saints in the opening game at home to Wrexham, Will Still's time in charge came to a disappointing end, winning just four of his 16 games in charge.

Still toyed between a back three and back four formation, never really sticking with one, as his lack of consistency in setting his side up likely led to his downfall.

German boss Tonda Eckert has, however, instilled a back four shape into the Saints since his appointment, and is reaping the rewards of that decision, getting the best out of Leo Scienza from the wing, in particular.

Aside from Scienza, Tom Fellows and Kuryu Matsuki have been the Saints' other wide options this season, though Samuel Edozie's recent emergence has provided another option as of late.

Though Edozie's future at the club is not assured, whilst Matsuki hasn't really made the desired impact.

Another wide option in the summer, regardless of what division Southampton find themselves in next season, should be a priority, and they could do a lot worse than March.