Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Saints Make A Loan Signing From Chelsea
Wednesday, 30th Jul 2014 21:59

Saints have signed Chelsea left back Ryan Bertrand on a season long loan from the Stamford Bridge club.

The signing looks to put an end to speculation that Saints might be bidding for Argentinian defender Marcus Rojo, although perhaps Saints may consider him as a central defender.

Ronald Koeman made it clear that long term the club is hopeful of Matt Targett stepping up to the plate, but that perhaps it is a little early for him so a short term replacement might be the best option.

“He (Bertrand) is a top player who will bring a lot of quality to the team. He has experience at the highest level and is an exciting, attacking player, which is what I like to see in my full-backs.

“I’ve been very impressed with how Matt Targett is doing in pre-season, but he is still young and developing, which I am sure he will continue to do over the coming seasons.

“Left-back is an important position in the team because it is quite specialised in terms of the attributes needed to play there, so it is nice to get this signing completed because it gives us some stability.”

My big surprise when looking at Bertrand's track record is just how much experience he has got, despite opportunities being limited at Chelsea and the fact that he has played more games in cup competitions than in the League where he has started 21 games for the blues plus another 7 as sub, the 24 year old Bertrand has played around 160 league games out on loan to other clubs including 16 for Aston Villa in the second half of last season.

So in this respect he has experience at the highest level including the Champions League final itself where he became the first player to make his debut in the Competition in the 2013 final itself, he played 70 minutes before coming off with a knock .
although the pain was eased as Chelsea eased out Bayern Munich 4-3.

Whilst not exactly being the exciting high profile signing that Saints fans were perhaps hoping to hear new of, Saints do need to boost the squad overall rather as well as bringing in star names so to speak, so in this respect this is a good move for Saints as long as they now go out and make a few key signings

Internationally Bertrand has won one cap for England coming on for Leighton Baines in August 2012 in a friendly against Italy, he was selected for the squads afterwards for the World Cup Qualifyers in the Autumn of 2012 but was unable to play due to a virus.

In this respect Bertrand could be a good signing for Saints in that he is yet another home grown player at Chelsea who has found progress blocked by a constant stream of star names, he is an undoubted talent and he has a lot to prove, hopefully Saints can benefit from this.

Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



ItchenNorth added 22:02 - Jul 30
Good signing. More than happy that Bertrand is on board.
3

1970 added 22:32 - Jul 30
I've never like loan signings its just putting extra value to some other teams player, but if Targett is not ready we should of kept Shaw oh i forgot we cant have England players at Saints were not big enough,but its a start i suppose, Villa fans will go ape s**t if we take Vlaar off them get Virgil from Celtic just to put some optimism back into our faces.coyr
-2

StEdmund added 22:34 - Jul 30
Solid signing, even has an English cap. Maybe Koeman will concentrate on signing English/Dutch players? Celtic lost 4-1 tonight so perhaps Forster will arrive soon?
2

redkraft added 07:55 - Jul 31
My understanding is that we have a fixed buy price should we choose to exercise it. So if he works out and is willing to stay we can keep him. Given his experience at Chelsea where they didn't want to play him much, maybe he would not be as easily swayed into seeking out greener pastures.

Also, I have started a Southampton FC related blog if anyone is interested.

redsloscf.blogspot.com
-1

brady100 added 09:16 - Jul 31
Good player but I don't see the point in loan signings unless there is a clear option to buy. Otherwise it's back to stage 1, the player has a decent season and we lose him to someone else and Chelsea stands to make a big profit. Looks like the cheaper alternative to Rojo to me, not sure about Taider either. Was he scouted? Do we need a player in his mould if we keep Schneiderlin, it reminds me of a swap deal at a car boot, where you end up taking something you don't want because it's right under your nose and you can have it there and then.
-1

Dan_P326 added 09:55 - Jul 31
Good signing to allow Targett to develop into our first choice left back, not all players can handle the jump up to the first team immediately and the pressure of this leap could have been a hindrance in Targett's progress and confidence, best to let him ease into the team.
1

REEDYREEDOREEDZ added 09:57 - Jul 31
We've got Bertrand because we won't get Rojo. Sporting are trying to rip us off and the club are right not to pay £16m for a left back that can't defend.

As for Bertrand, I've never really rated him. Another youngster snapped up by Chelsea but not given enough first team football at the highest level to progress. He wasn't great for Villa last season. Decent going forward because he has pace but suspect defensively. Not sure it's a good signing. Could leave our fragile defence exposed.

I saw De Vrij signed for Lazio. Another target missed. At least with Celtic getting smashed in the CL qualifier last night we have a better chance of getting Forster and van Dijk. £20m double signing, get it done Saints!!
1

brady100 added 10:28 - Jul 31
The De Vrij deal was never going to happen. One of the better performers at the WC, young and wanted by clubs competing in Europe. Now for the board to show their intent by signing Vlaar, Van Dijk and Forster quickly.
2

Zambucco added 14:33 - Jul 31
Jack Cork was a loanee from Chelsea originally!
1


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 31 bloggers

Knees-up Mother Brown #22 by wessex_exile
Knees-up Mother Brown #18 by wessex_exile

Southampton Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© FansNetwork 2024