Jander in, Charles out: Is this the best Southampton XI after the January transfer window? | OneFootball

Southampton have reshaped their squad under Tonda Eckert after a busy January transfer window.

Southampton have a lot of work to do if they are to seal a return to the Premier League this season, but Tonda Eckert will believe he has enough quality in his squad to do just that.

The former Saints under-21's boss enjoyed a remarkable start to life as the successor to Will Still in the St Mary's Stadium dugout, which saw the club name him as their permanent head coach.

After that, results dipped, but there have been signs in recent weeks that Southampton are back on track as they look to close the gap to the play-off places.

With the January window now shut, Eckert and the players can concentrate on football now, as they look to build momentum over the next few months.

The sale of top scorer Adam Armstrong to Wolves may have baffled some fans, but there is still plenty of talent at St. Mary’s Stadium.

With that in mind, we look at Saints’ best XI right now, in the 4-2-3-1 formation which has helped the team since they switched from a back three recently...

GK: Daniel Peretz

Daniel Peretz joined on loan from Bayern Munich in January, and the early signs suggest he is a clear upgrade on Alex McCarthy and Gavin Bazunu.

The 25-year-old is comfortable on the ball, he saves shots, and he is willing to command his box. Of course, he may make mistakes in the run-in, but he is the new undisputed number one at the club and has been a positive addition to the team.

RB: James Bree

It came as a surprise to some that Eckert has decided to utilise Bree upon his return from a loan at Charlton Athletic, but it’s looking like a smart decision.

Bree has quickly settled in since his return, and he has made the right-back spot in the starting 11 his own for the moment, but he knows he will need to maintain this good form with Elias Jelert another option for the boss.

CB: Jack Stephens

Saints captain Jack Stephens has won his place back in Eckert's starting 11 recently, and he is a player that the German clearly trusts on the pitch and in the dressing room.

Joshua Quarshie and Nathan Wood will continue to push for a place in the 11, so Saints are well-stocked in terms of quality and depth, but Stephens has the shirt right now, and he has done well since the change to a back four.

CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis

The fact that West Ham were pushing to sign one-cap England international Taylor Harwood-Bellis in January shows how highly-rated he is for a Championship player, and Saints know they are lucky to have him.

The centre-back is one of the first names on the team-sheet, and he will have a major role to play if Southampton are going to win promotion this season.

LB: Welington

With Ryan Manning and Welington competing to play at left-back, Southampton have two good options for that position, but it’s the Brazilian who has edged ahead right now.

He has brought good balance to the team with how he can carry the ball, but he knows he will need to keep his performance levels high to stay ahead of Manning.

CM: Flynn Downes

Another influential figure, Flynn Downes is a quality option at this level and brings so much to the team with his energy and drive in the middle of the park.

Downes has proven himself to be a winner at this level in the past, and he will be determined to help the club to win promotion this season. Even though Shea Charles and Caspar Jander are very good players, Downes is a certainty to start if he is available.

CM: Caspar Jander

German midfielder Caspar Jander joined Saints from Nurnberg in the summer for a bumper £10.4 million fee, and he has had a solid start to life on the south coast, as it’s clear there is a good player there.

As mentioned, Shea Charles is providing fierce competition for his place, but Jander has the shirt right now, and he does offer a lot with how he can travel with the ball and progress the play.

RW: Tom Fellows

Another summer addition, Fellows has turned out to be a shrewd addition from West Brom, and he will be an exciting player in the years to come - even if he has been playing at wing-back for a large part of Eckert's time in charge.

The winger is making a big impact now and is operating in his favoured position, and his pace and direct style brings something to the starting 11 that not many others can offer.

Th former Baggie is vital to the way the team attacks, and whilst he can do more in terms of goals and assists, he is exciting to watch.

AM: Finn Azaz

The recent switch to a back four appears to have benefited Finn Azaz, as he can now play in his preferred number ten role with options out wide and a striker as the focal point.

Previously, Saints had seen flashes of his undoubted ability, and they will still hope there is more to come, but he could flourish in this setup, and he will have a big responsibility to make things happen in the final third.

LW: Leo Scienza

At his best, Brazilian attacker Leo Scienza is a joy to watch and has undoubtedly been one of the standout players in the division since his move from Heidenheim, so Eckert has to find a place for him in the 11 that can get him to cause as much damage as possible to the opposition.

Scienza excels from the left, and he has formed a good relationship with Welington, with the winger often looking to cut in with the ball. He will be pivotal if Southampton are to end the campaign on a high.