‘Tenacious’ youngster could be long-term solution to Southampton’s troubled position
There is one position that is considered problematic due to the lack of competition and sometimes the performance of the players who have played there. It’s a left-back.
Ryan Manning joined on a free transfer this summer after impressing at Swansea City under Southampton’s Russell Martin, and although he performed well, he was far short of the five goals and 10 assists he achieved last season. He was the defense’s suspect.
French left-back Romain Perrault was allowed to join Nice on loan at the start of the season, with the Ligue 1 club also given an option to buy. Martin explained that the 26-year-old does not fit the style of football he wants to play.
This means Manning is the only senior left guard available this season. Indeed, 20-year-old Juan Larios has suffered a number of setbacks as he recovers from an injury that has kept him from playing a single minute since the defeat to Newcastle United in November 2022. Furthermore, this was Ralph Hasenhüttl’s last game for the club.
It was a long road back for Larios.
He only made five appearances for Southampton before suffering a long-term injury and then missing the season with a hamstring injury.
The Spaniard joined the club for £6 million as an 18-year-old at the 2022 summer transfer deadline and signed for Manchester City that summer, along with Samuel Edzier, Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Rabia, who has since left the club. He was one of four players. .
The fact that Saints spent so much money on a player who has never played senior football shows how highly regarded the Spain Under-19 team is.
Larios is extremely technical, perhaps unsurprising given his footballing education spent at Sevilla, Barcelona and Manchester City, but despite his diminutive size he is an attacking player who makes him a formidable opponent. He also has a side.
This could have been a hugely important season for Larios, instead having to watch Edsey and Shay Charles get opportunities in regular first-team football.
Larios was pictured training with the first team this week and received a warm welcome from club captain Stevens. With 10 games left in the Championship, Martin is unlikely to risk a return this season and will instead allow the young defender to complete pre-season training ahead of next season.
Larios will be a real asset for Martin given his obvious talent, ability to play on both the left and right flanks, and the faith Southampton have placed in such a young player by bringing him to the club.
He is the type of player with potential. Manning has a good understanding of what Martin wants from a quarterback, but given his obvious deficiencies on defense, Larios needs to take a closer look at the Irishman’s starting position.
Given his age, Larios could be a permanent solution, along with Jack Stevens and James Bree, in a position that has been a problem at times for Southampton this season, unless a prolonged injury absence has long-term consequences. There is a real opportunity for action. , Kyle Walker-Peters and 17-year-old Jayden Meghoma have all played the role at some point this campaign.
While Manning is clearly Martin’s favorite player, competition for his position isn’t a bad thing, and Larios could save the club a lot of money by acquiring a starting left guard willing to move forward.
There is sex. Speaking about the unfortunate injury in late September, Martin said Larios was “a very bright, talented guy who deserves better than what he got.”
It’s hard not to be excited for Larios, considering he just made a big move and was competing for a place in a Premier League team at a young age when he suffered his first injury.
But fears that he would be forgotten in his absence were allayed by Martin when asked about Perrault’s successor, who replied: “I know he’s had injury problems and it’s easy to forget that, but you shouldn’t because he’s a great player.
“Now he is training full time again. He is tenacious and technically excellent. There are already very good opponents there.
“He’s a natural left-back, but he can play on either flank. He’s putting a lot of pressure on Ryan right now and he knows he’s breathing down his neck.”
The support from his manager was music to Larios’ ears during a difficult time. Injuries have kept him from competing for the club’s starting left-back position this season, but an injury-free summer means Southampton fans will finally find out just how good Larios will be next season. It might be possible to do that.
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