Juric's preferred starting alternative doesn't rule out permanent summer switch | OneFootball

Armel Bella-Kotchap has insisted that he remains open to any transfer move in the coming transfer window.

Did you observe peculiar behaviour from Southampton fans lately? If you notice it closely, they have strangely gone too soft on ex-boss Russell Martin these months.

Now that he’s gone, fans have started taking his advice more seriously, finally giving him credit for things that went unnoticed back then.

Well, I get it, it always follows like, "They praise you most when you're gone." Still, it’s disappointing to see such lukewarm revisionism.

Just like any other former boss, Russell Martin's era had its own positives and negatives. Sure, Martin deserves praise for his achievements, but his failures shouldn’t be ignored just because he’s no longer in charge.

Take, for instance, Martin's Bella-Kotchap fumble that is to haunt Southampton now.

In case you don't remember, ex-boss Martin had straightaway sidelined Bella-Kotchap from his plans. In fact, the German hadn't played this Premier League season until boss Juric arrived.

Thankfully, a lot has changed for Bella Kotchap in recent games, who remains a starting alternative for Southampton now.

But, the damage done feels impossible to revert now. While still speculative, it seems Bella-Kotchap has already made up his mind to leave due to a lack of regular opportunities.

Bella-Kotchap's comment might hurt Southampton's squad planning

Recently, speaking on a podcast, the centre-back expressed that he wouldn't hesitate a move if situations demand so.

As quoted by Sport Witness, Bella-Kotchap mentioned: “English football has helped me a lot with my development, and I want to take further steps in the coming years. Whether that will be in England, I don’t know. I’m open.”

Now, if you still don't get why this should bother the Saints, let's break it down.

Well, it's quite known Taylor Harwood-Bellis won't continue at Southampton next season. With Jack Stephens' contract expiring this summer, Bella-Kotchap’s exit would leave the Saints with just one senior centre-back in Jan Bednarek.

Sounds frightening, right? It should. After all, though a Championship season next, the Saints wouldn't prefer just a single reliable name in their backline.