Since returning to the Premier League, Southampton has faced significant challenges, with Russell Martin still searching for his first win as a top-flight manager.
With just one point from six Premier League games, Russell Martin is already feeling the heat at Southampton. After a strong first season that saw him revamp the team’s playing style en route to promotion—despite losing 18 players—Martin is quickly learning how unforgiving elite football can be.
Southampton boasts talented players, but fans know the risk of losing them if relegation occurs, as happened at the end of the 2022/23 season. Following that relegation, the Saints parted ways with key figures like James Ward-Prowse, Romeo Lavia, and Tino Livramento, leaving the squad significantly weakened.
One notable departure last summer was Ghanaian center-back Mohammed Salisu. He struggled with injuries during the relegation campaign, leaving a gaping hole in a defense that conceded goals at an alarming rate. Before that season, Salisu was recognized as a promising, albeit occasionally rash, defender. Despite his injury woes, Monaco invested £17 million to bring him to the principality, where he has since thrived.
While Southampton finds itself in the relegation zone, Salisu is shining in the Champions League. He scored a crucial goal in a recent match, helping Monaco recover from a 2-0 deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against Dinamo Zagreb. Having been part of the Monaco team that defeated Barcelona 2-1 in their Champions League opener, his performance highlights just how talented he is.
Martin must surely wish for a defender of Salisu’s caliber this season. While some might argue he has Armel Bella-Kotchap, there seems to be hesitation in utilizing him fully after a failed summer transfer. When both were fit, Bella-Kotchap and Salisu formed a formidable partnership.
After a standout performance in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City in January 2022, pundit Danny Murphy praised Salisu, stating it was a “phenomenal performance.” He noted Salisu’s aerial ability, game reading, and overall confidence, suggesting he thrives on defensive challenges.
With Southampton yet to keep a clean sheet this season and having conceded 12 goals in six league matches, a defender of Salisu’s quality would certainly bolster their backline.