Southampton’s Most UNDERRATED Player This Season | OneFootball

Southampton are 14 games unbeaten in the Championship. Key players like Leo Scienza, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Daniel Peretz are all receiving credit, and rightfully so.

But one man is being left under the radar: Jack Stephens.

Yet, how has the experienced defender been pivotal to Southampton’s success, and why is he one of the first names on the team sheet, despite the lack of headlines?

His Return Under Eckert

Stephens has been a staple of the Saints’ starting lineup. Week in, week out, he’s been paired alongside Harwood-Bellis in the defence – a defensive duo that has conceded just 6 goals in their past 10 games.

Manager Tonda Eckert had faith in him from day one. In his opening game as interim against QPR, his first tactical decision was to start Stephens. It was a welcome surprise, as the 32-year-old had received just 22 minutes in the last five games under then-manager Will Still.

His leadership was crucial, as the Saints went on to win 2-1 away from home, their third win of the season by November. Since his reintroduction into the squad, Jack Stephens hasn’t looked back, recording 30 starts for the Saints – 13 more than he racked up in their previous Championship campaign under Russell Martin.

In Southampton’s current 4-2-3-1 setup, he operates as the left-sided centre-back. On the ball, he plays the simple passes, averaging just 2 long balls per 90. His job is to recycle possession, finding either Ryan Manning or Harwood-Bellis beside him or playing it to the central defensive midfielder sitting in front of him.

It’s a well-balanced setup – one that blends creativity with security.

Jack Stephens is centrally positioned as Southampton are on the ball. An in-possession three-back means Manning can support on the left and Harwood-Bellis (as he often does) can support with an attacking run on the right. Stephens will remain the deepest of the three. (Image Credit: Southampton FC YouTube)

Harwood-Bellis acts as the progressive ball-playing centre-back, taking more risks and consistently trying to break the lines to initiate attacks. Stephens, while capable of playing an incisive pass (ranking in the 57th percentile among defenders for chances created), ultimately provides the safe defensive backbone.

And that’s what makes Stephens such an interesting case — because he’s not the perfect defender.

He’s not the quickest, and he’s not the most progressive on the ball. But that’s not what Southampton need from him. He offers reliable assurance to a team that’s free-flowing at the top end of the pitch but is often left defensively vulnerable as a result.

During Eckert’s tenure, when Stephens is in the starting lineup, Southampton’s loss percentage in the league is at 12.5%. In comparison to without him, it’s 33% with 2 losses in 6 games.

His importance for the team hasn’t gone unnoticed, as Eckert has praised his performances and leadership, saying, “He has the quality not just for himself but also to make his teammates better in those moments. I’m very happy with his contribution on the pitch.”

“I’m very happy with the responsibility that he takes as the club captain. He’s going in a good direction.”

Ultimately, Stephens isn’t in this team to stand out — he’s in it to make everything else work. When the full-backs push on and Harwood-Bellis steps out, Stephens is the one holding the line and keeping things organised on the last line.

Jack Stephens providing cover for Harwood-Bellis, who has stepped out. He’s tracking both the wide man and the central runner. He’s covering space in between to ensure a man isn’t completely free. (Image Credit: Southampton FC YouTube)

Southampton look more controlled, more balanced, and harder to play through when he’s in the side — even if his contribution rarely shows up in highlight reels or headlines.

The Saints captain may not be the most eye-catching player in this unbeaten run, but he’s one of the key reasons it feels sustainable.