Southampton can ease likely departure of key figure by turning to Stoke City man | OneFootball

Southampton should turn to Stoke City's Viktor Johansson if Aaron Ramsdale moves on this summer.

Will Still is the new head coach at Southampton, and he will be well aware of what he has walked into at St. Mary’s Stadium.

The former Lens boss will be tasked with guiding the club back to the Premier League at the first attempt, and he will also be expected to do so with a style of play and approach that can be built on at a higher level.

Whilst he is inheriting a talented squad, like all relegated clubs, Southampton and Still know that departures are inevitable.

Aaron Ramsdale could leave Southampton this summer

Kamaldeen Sulemana is expected to move on, with Tyler Dibling another who has attracted plenty of attention, and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is believed to be in talks to return to the Premier League.

Given his pedigree, keeping Ramsdale in the Championship was always going to be a long shot, particularly in a World Cup year as he looks to make Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the tournament in the United States.

That will be a blow, but any exit will free up space and funds in the squad, as well as reducing the wage bill, so Still will see it as an opportunity to bring his own players in.

Viktor Johansson would be the perfect Aaron Ramsdale replacement at Southampton

Gavin Bazunu has been part of a promotion-winning team in the Championship before, but his injury issues are a major concern, so you would expect Saints to be in the market for a new number one if Ramsdale leaves.

And, Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson would be the perfect solution for the south coast outfit.

The 26-year-old is well-known to Championship fans, as he impressed with Rotherham before joining the Potters 12 months ago, where his game has gone up another level.

Simply put, Johansson has proven himself as one of the best keepers in the second tier in various categories.

Firstly, when it comes to keeping the ball out of the net, Johansson is capable of producing some remarkable reflex saves, and the 10.94 goals prevented by the stopper last season put him among the very best, whilst no keeper made more saves.

As well as that, Johansson ranks among the best for acting as a sweeper and claiming the ball, which shows he is a very good all-round number one.

Looking at his stats, it’s only his passing that doesn’t rank highly in terms of key attributes, but that can be put down to the style of play at Stoke. Under Still, where Saints will dominate the ball, you would back Johansson to cope, and for those numbers to change.

Of course, Stoke will do all they can to keep hold of their star man, who still has two years left on his contract, so doing a deal won’t be straightforward.

But, goalkeeper is a position where Still won’t want to take a chance, and if it means spending a decent sum to get the right player, it’s worth it.

Johansson has the quality to play a key role in Southampton’s journey under the new boss, and even though he doesn’t have the same CV as Ramsdale, if he takes his form of the past few years to St. Mary’s, then the ex-Arsenal man won’t be missed at all.