If Adam Lallana is sold in the January transfer window, then Saints fans should wish him all the best.
Of course no football fan likes to see their best players sold off and in this day and age they like it even less when that player goes for a big fee after hardly any games, as in the case of Theo Walcott, who despite getting into the England squad before he had played for Arsenal cant really be said to have had a great consistent career since leaving five years ago.
When you are a player with the talent of Adam Lallana its no surprise when the big clubs come calling, in fact the only real shock is that he didnt jump ship when we were relegated from the Championship, back then it would have been easy for him to do so, although in hindsight those that did so have not shone at their respective clubs since.
Lallana opted to stay loyal to Saints and help them climb back, he seems a player with his feet on the ground and he was perhaps aware that a good grounding in the lower leagues would be of more benefit than becoming a squad player at a premiership club with limited opportunities, that happened to Andrew Surman and Gareth Bale, in fact it almost killed Bale's career and he spent three fruitless seasons at Spurs who were willing to offload him cheaply before he came good this season.
But the problem for Saints now is that Lallana has paid his dues, with nearly 130 games under his belt, not to mention 29 goals, there is no doubt that he is now mature enough and ready for a bigger stage, the big question is whether he feels that the time is right now or whether he thinks that he can do that next season either in the championship with Saints or better.
Obviously all Saints supporters hope that he feels able to at least see this season through and finish the job and get us back into the Championship, but if that proves not to be the case then he should go with the good wishes of every Saints supporter ringing in his ears.
He cannot be accused of abandoning the club, he has stayed loyal a lot longer than anyone could have realistically asked him to and if he chooses to leave then I for one thank him for the great performances he has put in over the past few seasons and hope that whatever club he goes to, their supporters see more of the same.
In todays football world, footballers are now effectively gladiators and they have a glaitorial attitude, meaning that they have an arrogance bred into them and that they are loyal to no one apart from themselves and their bank balance, thats why its so refreshing to see a player like Adam Lallana, someone who has put his overall career ahead of making a quick buck and who appears to be a decent lad brought up in the right way and instilled with the right attitude and morals.
If Adam Lallana is still here in February i will be delighted, but if he is not my sadness will be countered by the fact that whatever he achieves in football he truly deserves as a man and for the way he has stuck by this football club in its darkest hour.