Will Still is making right decision in his first Southampton dilemma over future of ‘really good’ star

Add as preferred source on Google

Southampton are showcasing their trust in the judgement of new head coach Will Still ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

After relegation from the Premier League, a new era has dawned at Southampton this summer, and one that was necessary to set the club on course for an instant promotion.

Will Still was appointed by Southampton in the wake of the club’s Championship relegation, and the highly-rated former RC Lens coach has quickly got to work moulding the current Saints squad to his liking.

In a matter out of Still’s control, Kyle Walker-Peters has a “lot of options this summer following the expiry of his Saints contract, so will not be in Still’s plans for next season, although that was expected to occur before his arrival.

However, since his arrival, Southampton have identified targets in the summer transfer window that suit Still’s style, with Southampton chasing Man City ace Juma Bah, his former Lens loanee.

Equally, departures will be as important as incomings this summer at Southampton, and the Saints now are set to part ways with one of their most high-profile talents.

• READ MORE: Southampton star has a big point to prove in 2025/26 Championship, he can shine under Will Still

Southampton ace Kamaldeen Sulemana set for Atalanta transfer

The first weeks of Still’s tenure have been dominated by incomings and outgoings at Southampton.

One that has dominated the headlines is winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, who is poised to depart St Mary’s this summer following a lacklustre three-season stint.

Following Still’s arrival, Southampton’s Sulemana is set to leave “below” asking price of £10m this summer, to reunite with former Saints boss Ivan Juric at Atalanta in the Italian top flight.

In Southampton’s most expensive signings ever, Sulemana remains at the top spot after his £22m move to the South Coast outfit from Rennes in the January window of 2023.

However, despite the lofty expectations associated with such a significant price tag, his signing by the Saints has failed to show any return on the club’s substantial investment.

The Ghanaian international has registered just four goals and seven assists in 74 appearances for Southampton, operating mainly as left-winger or attacking midfielder.

After the winger ended his 20-month wait for a Premier League goal with a strike against Bournemouth, Juric defended the unproductive wideman.

Via the Daily Echo, Former Saints boss Juric said of Sulemana last season: “I think there are lots of players that are doing really good. Sulemana is one of these players.

“It’s not the first time that he played good. Here, he scored a great goal. I think with more confidence, with more games, he will be even much better.

“He needs that because sometimes he is really too hurried to score or too hurried to do something.”

A goal on average every 18.5 appearances is simply not good enough for a club that was fighting to survive in the Premier League, and now one which is hunting for promotion in the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

That substandard Saints goal contributions return proves why Still and Southampton are making the right call in this dilemma, to cut ties with the winger, despite his lofty potential left unfulfilled by his price tag.

Southampton have also quickly moved on amid the winger’s imminent departure, after lining up Sulemana’s replacement in Lucas Cepeda.

It highlights that Southampton entrust Still with his decision-making and that they are intent on shaping the squad in his image, which will be imperative to the Saints’ promotion prospects.

• READ MORE: Southampton transfer plan sparks negative reaction from player who ‘would like’ to leave his club

Southampton needed show of faith to Will Still after last season

Southampton have begun the rebuild from last season’s relegation in exactly the right way, by backing Still in the transfer market, and moving on several Saints stars who have no future under his stewardship.

Since the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign, Southampton have now had five different head coaches at the helm before Still’s arrival, not counting the interim spells of Ruben Selles and Simon Rusk.

Upon his switch from Lens to Southampton, Still told the club’s media: “There is huge potential here and we have a great opportunity to do something special.

“I believe we can build a clear identity and a very positive future for the team. I’m eager to get to work this summer and start building a close-knit group that can make everyone proud and ultimately get us back to where we belong; in the Premier League.”

Southampton have been tipped as promotion contenders in the early predictions 2025/26 Championship campaign, and that is in no small part due to the acquisition of the former Reims coach, who is targeting a similar conclusion come next May.

Building and trimming the squad with Still’s recommendations in mind shows that the club has a long-term vision in place for the highly-coveted young coach, which will be imperative for their immediate promotion aspirations, as well as the future campaigns under his guidance.