Why Southampton should hold onto Ryan Bertrand
According to Daily Mail, Southampton are planning to open contract talks with Ryan Bertrand following interest from rivals Leicester City.
The Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers has identified Bertrand as a suitable replacement for their left-back Ben Chilwell, who faces an uncertain future at the club. (h/t Daily Mail)
Chilwell has been the subject of transfer speculation in recent days, with Frank Lampard’s Chelsea hot on the trail for the £50m-rated full-back’s signature. Rodgers believes that the experienced Bertrand could be a potential successor for Chilwell if he decides to depart the club this summer. (h/t Daily Mail)
Bertrand, on the other hand, has just 12 months remaining on his Southampton contract and the Saints are keen to extend his stay at the St Mary’s, especially with Leicester now interested in him.(h/t Daily Mail)
Bertrand is one of the senior-most members in the squad and has been Southampton’s first-choice left-back since arriving five years ago.
The 30-year-old moved to St Mary’s from London side Chelsea back in 2015 and has played 198 matches for them. He has also scored eight goals and provided 19 assists in the process, becoming a key cog in the side.
Bertrand is the only established left-back at Southampton
A veteran of 221 Premier League matches and 119 Championship games, Bertrand is a vastly experienced individual. The veteran Saints player is also a Champions League and Europe League winner with former side Chelsea.
Bertrand’s experience and proven pedigree in England and the European competitions saw him being handed the captain’s duties from January 2018 until October that year. Having featured for a variety of English sides such as Chelsea, Norwich City, Reading, and Aston Villa apart from Southampton, the talented Bertrand has proved his longevity in the game.
Moreover, Bertrand remains the sides only established left-back, with back-up man Sam McQueen still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury that he sustained in October 2018.
Bertrand is a proven performer at the top level and has been Southampton’s first-choice left back for years now. Hence, they should do everything they can to tie him down to a new deal amid speculations.
Read more:
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Verdict
Southampton currently do not have depth in the left-back role and veteran Bertrand has always been a consistent performer for them over the years. His vast experience and knowledge of the game will always be handy to the side. Hence, they should ward off any interest for their main man and extend his stay at the club by offering him a new contract.
