Could this XI emerge as Southampton's strongest in Championship?

Saints sit just outside the playoffs amid a summer of speculation which saw eight players sign to join the promotion push at Staplewood.

Martin was forced to lose the likes of captain James Ward-Prowse, Romeo Lavia, Tino Livramento, Mohammed Salisu and more as the club balanced the books.

He feels he has a stronger side now - all things considered - than at the beginning of the window, but how is his XI likely to look? We think this could emerge as the strongest. 

Goalkeeper

Gavin Bazunu is still not having the best time of it despite relegation out of the top flight but he is the undisputed number one at Saints.

Southampton’s 12 goals is the most conceded by any Championship team and Bazunu ranks in the bottom three for save percentage (50 per cent).

However, only five teams in the league have faced more shots and he has racked up 12 saves from those 24. He is one of seven still searching for their first clean sheet.

Right-back

Kyle Walker-Peters remaining at Saints was a shock to those outside the club but the former England international might be one of those Martin has helped persuade to stay.

The 26 year old leads the Championship with 54 progressive passes, leads the club for carries and has won more fouls than anyone else in the division. 

There is an argument for Walker-Peters being the league's best player and – although part of a struggling defence – he is key for the way Martin’s side attack.

Centre-backs

After injury to captain Jack Stephens, Polish international Jan Bednarek is probably one of the first names on the team sheet for Martin.

Right now, Bednarek’s stats are middle of the road at Saints for shots/passes blocked and interceptions but he leads the club by far for clearances (17).

Mason Holgate was given the nod last time out at Sunderland but is not likely to retain his shirt for the visit of Leicester City next Friday.

Martin admitted Shea Charles was unlucky to miss out. The 20 year old summer signing is Southampton’s strongest player aerially and is a stat leader for interceptions.

Deadline day addition Taylor Harwood-Bellis had the fourth-best tackle success rate (77.4 per cent) in the Championship as Burnley conceded the fewest goals (35) and expected goals against (38.2) last season. 

Although Bednarek’s experience could tell, there is an argument that Charles and Harwood-Bellis may emerge as the most effective defensive partnership.

Left-back

Summer arrival Ryan Manning’s starting place was all but assured with the late loan departure of Frenchman Romain Perraud.

Manning has had more touches of the ball than any player, is second to only Walker-Peters for progressive passes and is one of only 12 to register two assists already. 

Manning is Southampton’s best left-sided player but both he and Walker-Peters are showing some defensive frailties with starting position and back-post bombardments.

Holding-midfielder

While Charles and academy graduate Will Smallbone are strong option, West Ham United loanee Flynn Downes is the standout choice in this position.

The 24 year old excelled in the Championship last time out, earning a Premier League transfer after just one year under former boss Martin.

The midfield did not work against Sunderland but Downes, in only two appearances, leads the Championship for pass success rate and will be the metronome for Martin.

Centre-midfielders

This is where it could get interesting as the midfield sees the likes of Will Smallbone, Stuart Armstrong, Charly Alcaraz and Adam Armstrong compete for two spots.

Smallbone has impressed so far but the midfield dynamic between him and Downes stuttered – some commentators have suggested the pair are too similar. 

Of regular starters, Smallbone and Alcaraz lead Saints for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (5.98 and 5.95, respectively) and are well clear of their teammates.

Although he struggled against QPR and was only a late substitute at Sunderland, Alcaraz’s underlying stats continue to suggest he will become a key player in this side.

A Armstrong is the other who has made himself a starter; captain at Stadium of Light and one of five players with four league goals (albeit the lowest conversion rate).

Could a midfield three of Downes, Alcaraz and Armstrong offer Southampton the right balance – with Smallbone and S Armstrong as bench options?

Right-wing

Martin will not admit it but has a potential problem position on his hands with Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Sekou Mara failing to nail the role since Nathan Tella’s departure.

One is not expected to be ready at 17 years old and the other is a natural number nine. Saints were hoping to sign a Tella replacement but he might be within the ranks already.

Kamaldeen Sulemana is yet to play this season but his 0.28 goals/assists per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season matched or bettered Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and all but five of the Saints squad.

Left-wing

Sam Edozie has been the starter so far this season in all five Championship matches, registering his first goal in the 2-1 win over QPR.

That was his only one of seven attempts to hit the target but he has had the third-most touches in the box (22) and is the top outlet for progressive passes (53) at Saints.

The youngster could keep his place now but new loanee Fraser, with a Championship title and 173 Premier League appearances already under his belt, could win out.

Striker

Saints were prepared to replace Che Adams if he departed approaching deadline day but instead only added to their striking ranks.

Ross Stewart hit a quick 10 in 13 Championship appearances last season before injury but is still an unproven prospect and will have to take the shirt off of Adams.

All three of the Scot’s shots on target this season have gone in, scoring winners at Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle.

Adams had played a similar amount of Championship minutes after five games in 2018-19 but scored just once, before reaching 22 in 46.

Southampton’s Potential Best XI:

Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Charles, Harwood-Bellis, Manning; Downes, Alcaraz, A Armstrong; Kamaldeen, Fraser, Adams.

What do think could be different about Martin's strongest side?