It’s a mark of Fonte’s consistency that he finds himself in contention for a third Daily Echo Player of the Season award.
To put that achievement into some sort of context, since the famous trophy was first handed out in the 1973-74 season, only one man has won it more than once.
That man is Matthew Le Tissier, probably the greatest player in Southampton’s history.
Fonte previously picked up the award in 2010-11, and also last season, making him the defending champion.
What makes it all the more remarkable, is that in each of those two wins, and this year’s nomination, he has been playing alongside a different central defensive partner.
It seemed as if it couldn’t get any better than what he had with Toby Alderweireld last season, and yet somehow he has so seamlessly fitted in to playing with Virgil van Dijk.
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It’s a testament to his abilities, and his constant no nonsense determination to succeed that he is still Saints skipper, and still a first name on the teamsheet.
We salute you captain Jose.
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