Rating every key Southampton FC player's chances of staying | OneFootball

Rating the likelihood of each key Southampton player staying at the club this summer

Southampton are preparing for another season in the Championship after their promotion hopes were foiled.

The Saints were expelled from the play-offs after earning their place in the final due to breaching the EFL’s rules against spying on opposition teams.

The Hampshire outfit will be hoping to make their way back to the Premier League in 2027, but face a busy summer ahead before the new campaign gets underway.

Tonda Eckert remains in charge, but he could be at risk of losing a number of key players as a result of the club’s failure to gain promotion.

Here we rate key Southampton player’s chances of staying at St. Mary’s beyond the 1 September deadline…

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 2/10

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Taylor Harwood-Bellis played more minutes for Southampton last season than any other player, and the defender will be a key part of Eckert’s plans going forward.

However, the defender may have other plans as he has been linked with a move away from St. Mary’s in recent weeks.

It has been reported that Coventry City and Hull City are both interested in the centre-back, with West Ham also admirers.

While he does have a contract until June 2028, the chance to move to the Premier League will be tempting, and that does raise some questions over his future with the club.

On a scale of one to 10 for his chances of staying, with one being he’ll definitely be sold and 10 being he’ll stay, his future could be rated at a two.

Finn Azaz - 8/10

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Finn Azaz joined Southampton last summer, and he proved key in the club’s rise back up the Championship table in the second half of the campaign.

The Irishman contributed 10 goals and seven assists from 41 appearances in the league, making him a crucial part of the side.

And owner Dragan Solak has made it clear that it will take a very big offer for the club to be tempted into his sale at this stage.

That makes his future all but certain with Southampton, with a rating of eight out of 10.

Ryan Manning - 9/10

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Ryan Manning made more appearances for Southampton last season than any other player with 43, albeit from 35 starts.

The full-back scored eight and assisted six, and will surely be an important part of Eckert’s plans going into the new campaign.

The Irishman’s contract does expire in June 2027, so that could open the door to a sale this summer, if the Saints feel he may walk away for nothing in 12 months.

But there has been no recent speculation over his future, and he is someone Southampton should look to keep, so his chances of staying are rated at nine out of 10 for this summer.

Caspar Jander - 2/10

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Caspar Jander signed for Southampton following their relegation to the Championship last year, and he immediately cemented himself as a core part of the squad.

The midfielder played 36 times in the league as they finished fourth in the table, with the German earning a lot of credit for his performances.

But this has earned him the attention of a number of Bundesliga sides in the last few months, and it has been claimed that it will cost €20 (£17.2) million to secure his signature.

With the likes of Stuttgart lurking, his chances of staying are at two out of 10.

Flynn Downes - 8/10

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Flynn Downes is an important part of the Southampton squad after three seasons in the first team.

The midfielder has made a total of 96 league appearances in that time, including 27 in the Premier League.

And Southampton will be keen to ensure he stays at St. Mary’s, particularly with the speculation surrounding other players in that area of the pitch, giving his chances of staying a rating of eight out of 10.

Leo Scienza - 2/10

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Leo Scienza’s future has been the subject of speculation for months due to how impressive his performances have been since joining the club last year.

The Brazilian contributed seven goals and 10 assists, and was a standout figure.

However, Southampton’s failure to gain promotion puts his future right in the spotlight, with Leeds United linked with a move.

His chances of staying are at a two out of 10, with a departure looking more likely than not.

Shea Charles - 1/10

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Shea Charles enjoyed his strongest season yet for Southampton after signing from Manchester City in 2023.

But this has only fueled speculation that he could depart St. Mary’s this summer, with the likes of Leeds United and Manchester United emerging as options amid a £20 million valuation.

Given his contract expires in June 2027, the 22-year-old’s chances of staying at this stage look like a one out of 10.