After promotion, Southampton wants to rapidly lock down the future of one of their play-off heroes.
Russell Martin, who is trying to assemble a team that can make it through the team’s first season back in the Premier League, will be aware that he has a busy summer ahead of him.
Considering that the celebrations from Sunday’s 1-0 play-off final victory against Leeds United are only now starting to wind down, he could be forgiven for not giving too much thought just yet.
The fates of players like Ryan Fraser and Flynn Downes, who are on loan from Southampton, are reportedly Southampton’s top priorities now that the season is ended.
The Saints, however, are apparently trying to resolve the situation of the future of a player who has been with the team for eight years as soon as possible.
Southampton want Alex McCarthy to stay
Alex McCarthy was the club’s third-choice goalie for the majority of the season, hardly ever making the roster.
Unquestionably the best player was Gavin Bazunu, with summer addition Joe Lumley serving as both his backup and a cup player.
But Martin went to McCarthy—who wasn’t even on the roster—instead of Lumley when Bazunu hurt himself during the warm-up for the Preston game in April.
McCarthy played the final seven games of the regular season while keeping a perfect record. He also played a key part in the play-offs, conceding just one goal in three games.
Now, in a bizarre turn of events that not even the player could have predicted, Southampton is attempting to extend an offer to the 34-year-old player who will shortly have his contract expire.
Journalist Jack Rosser on “X” claims that Southampton has “made it clear” that they want McCarthy to stay in his position.
The custodian, nevertheless, is only willing to stay if he is the starting custodian.
Southampton can’t make Alex McCarthy starting promise
It is a hefty ask to be promised first-choice status for a custodian who was third choice less than two months ago.
The fact that the seasoned goalie only wants to stay if he will play frequently, though, may be admirable given that many goalies are content to fill in as backups.
McCarthy is a desirable choice because he is a homegrown player and will become a free agent on June 1st. Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Celtic have all expressed interest in signing him.
McCarthy should accept a new contract from Southampton, but it cannot include any assurances that he will remain the team’s top player.
Bazunu, although making a few major errors during the season, has remained Martin’s number one goalie and will be sidelined far into the following one due to an achilles injury.
Bazunu’s skill with the ball at his feet makes him a valuable addition during build-up, and Southampton’s style of play heavily relies on his footwork.
McCarthy is undoubtedly a safer option when handling the ball, but Martin won’t put up with him in the top tier because he seems uneasy with it.
McCarthy may be able to negotiate a new contract if he lowers his expectations, but if not, Southampton may have to accept the goalkeeper’s contribution to their elevation and move on.
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