Does the selling ever stop: Southampton FC

Southampton's recent rise from League One football to rivaling the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool for top places in the Premier League is truly remarkable. To go from the Johnston's Paint Trophy to Europa League is amazing, despite their sucess Southampton fans will be hoping the journey doesn't end there. The road has not always been smooth for the Saints however, they have lost influential players along the way at the end of almost every season. Only Jose Fonte and Kelvin Davis, who is to retire, can showcase their 'Southampton loyalty cards' from the League one days. In spite of losing high quality players Southampton seem to get better year after year, last season a 6th place finish was a record in the club's Premier League history. So who has taken another path along the way, were they right in doing so?

Gareth Bale --> Tottenham Hotspur for £7 million in May 2007

Southampton's first major sale was perhaps their biggest loss, however Bale was not the powerful machine up top that he is today, instead Bale started out as a left back. All the same Bale still possessed astonishing pace, at the age of 14 he could run the 100m in 11.4 seconds. The Welshman took 25 caps to win at Tottenham, from then on he got better season by season, putting in man of the match performances left, right and centre. A hat trick against Inter Milan in the Champions League gained attention followed by winning Player's Player and Player's Young Player of the 2013/14 season. From then forth a £85 million move to Real Madrid and a Euros Semi Final with Wales have been the 27 year old's highlights.

Success since: YES

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain --> Arsenal for £12 million in August 2011

Chamberlain became Southampton's second youngest player to feature when he came off the bench against Huddersfield. In total he made 36 appearances for the Saints and recorded 9 goals during his time there, as a result bigger clubs were interested in the teenager, especially after making the PFA League One Team of the Year. Since his move to Arsenal the 'Ox' has struggled and scored just 7 times in as many as 100 appearances. All the same at 22 years of age he still has bags of potential in equal measure to his relentlessness pace.

Success since: NO

Luke Shaw --> Manchester United for £30 million in June 2014

Shaw became the most expensive teenager in the world after moving to Manchester United. Shaw started off very well at Manchester United and made 21 appearances for the Red Devils until a horrific double leg fracture against PSV saw him out of action until 2016/1017 pre season where he made his first start in months. Expect Shaw to be an integral part of both the Manchester United and England team for years to come.

Success since: YES

Rickie Lambert --> Liverpool for £4 million in June 2014

Lambert had always been a Liverpool fan and few Southampton fans will feel angry that Lambert followed his dream move through in 2014. The stocky striker did not have a big impact at Liverpool, just 2 goals in 25 caps saw him off to West Brom where he has failed to recapture the Southampton form which saw him mark 106 times in just over 200 appearances. All the same Southampton fans are sure to always have a soft spot for the clinical forward who raised Southampton form the pit that is League One.

Success since: NO

Dejan Lovren --> Liverpool for £20 million in July 2014

Out of all the departees Lovren is probably the most hated in the eyes of Southampton fans. After just one season at Southampton the Crioatian was persistent on a move away and even stated 'my head is already in Liverpool' - before the move went through! It's unsurprising that Saints fans' eyes fill with glee given Lovren's woeful performances in Merseyside which have caused him to become somewhat of a joke at times. All in all Lovren is still a capable defender and is likely to start alongside Matip in central defence next season.

Success since: NO

Adam Lallana --> Liverpool for £25 million in July 2014

Lallana has not progressed significantly in a Liverpool shirt when compared to his Southampton days. Yes, he provides a beautiful touch or flick. Yes, his crosses from either foot are always on a plate for forwards. Yes, he lacks composure in front of goal and often struggles to finish. Yes, his second half performances are jaded and often anonymous, like a child on a day trip he starts off buzzing and full of energy however by midday he is slumped and disinterested. 9 goals in 57 games for Liverpool is neither embarrassing nor remarkable, Lallana needs to add that little extra to his game to stand out for the Merseyside Reds ahead of Coutinho, Firmino and now Mane.

Success since? : NO

Calum Chambers --> Arsenal for £16 million in July 2014

Chambers was purchased as a 'young prospect' by Arsene Wenger in 2014. The Englishmen predominantly featured for the Saints as a right back however given his height and build Wenger deploys the 21 year old centrally. Despite some shaky performances (Chambers was torn to pieces by Montero) the Englishman is still seen as a potential future England and Arsenal starter. However 'potential' only lasts so long and some feel Chambers has to perform in 2016/17 to show his class as a top team defender.

Success since?: NO

Nathaniel Clyne --> Liverpool for £13 million in July 2015

Clyne has proven himself as one of the best right backs in the league last season alongside Bellerin and Walker, unfortunately the latter swooped in as England's starting right back ahead of Clyne at the Euros. Clyne is fairly quick and has the confidence to get forward, Clyne created 7 chances at the Euros despite only making one appearance, in fact no other full back created more chances in the whole tournament! At £13 million Liverpool will feel they have certainly got their money worth for the 26 year old, Southampton know just how good the bombarding full back is since neither Cuco Martina or Cedric have filled his boots.

Success since?: YES

Morgan Schneiderlin --> Manchester United for £24 million in July 2015

In the 2014/15 season Schneiderlin and Wanyama provided Southampton with at times an impregnable defence, by consequence the Saints kept as many as 13 clean sheets, only beaten by Manchester City. It seemed time overdue that one of the 'top' clubs swooped in for the Frenchman who's tidy and simple playstyle made him a perfect fit as a CDM. Schneiderlin started off well, impressing in his debut in a 1-0 victory over Tottenham, furthermore he even scored against Everton in the opening months of the season. Unfortunately the 26 year old had fallen out of favour in the Manchester United team selection nor did he feature in France's Euros campaign. The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Everton however some feel he would be a key player to sit behind Pogba if the £100 million transfer goes ahead.

Success since?: NO

Sadio Mane --> Liverpool for £34 million in July 2016

Mane has been one of Southampton's best players since arriving in 2014, the Senegalese striker recorded 36 goals and assists for Southampton in as few as 70 games, a remarkable record. Then again Mane can be a very inconsistent player, he went 13 games with neither a goal nor assist to his name, but when he does perform his sheer pace and ability to beat a man makes him an instant threat. Expect Mane to start off eager to impress given the competition for places in a packed Liverpool squad brimming with talent.

Success since?: N/A

Victor Wanyama --> Tottenham Hotspur for £11 million in July 2016

Wanyama has gone periods where he was regarded the best CDM in the EPL with Matic out of form and Schneiderlin on the bench. Wanyama's tackling is second to none whilst his physicality is frightening. Despite these qualities questions remain over the Kenyan captain's discipline and capability on the ball, passes are often astray and rushed. Furthermore whether Wanyama will start instead of or alongside England's Eric Dier remains to be seen, it's unlikely Wanyama will act as his deputy seeing he will be paid substantially more than the 21 year old who put in very professional displays in France.

Success since?: N/A

Graziano Pelle --> Shandong Luneng for £12 million in July 2016

Turning down a 225% wage increase of £260 000 a week would be a startling decision in any profession, especially when considering Pelle is 31 and career would otherwise be on a downward path. All the same Pelle certainly put in a shift for the Saints and will be remembered for some fabulous goals, celebrations and hairstyle. Unlike every other departure it was in fact Southampton's fault that the player left elsewhere, Southampton reportedly were uninterested in renewing the Italian's contract, in spite of two goals at the Euros.

Success since?: Whatever his performance Pelle will be a financial sucess! 

Total Sales: £208 million

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