[Albion] The "Southampton Model"

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

We're often told that we're following a similar model to Southampton, which presumably means scouting well and cultivating young players who are sold for a large premium.

The implications is also that this is not sustainable.

Did Saints really do this and if so, over what time period?

My recollection is a burst of high profile sales and then, like most clubs outside the big 6, a few stand out sales subsequently. Does anyone know the background and if they really did have a production line?

What I found suggests that they have bought and sold.well, perhapsnearlier than most cluns, but no more so than many in the last two decades.

Southampton most expensive player sales and total sales each year - https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/so...nsfers/blt4891b59cfa9f986c#cse80c581ce9ed69d0

 

[bhafc99]

I think there was an era when the likes of Theo Walcott came through the ranks at Saints and moved on for ££££, but tbh it's a pretty lame and dated comparison these days.

 

[The Optimist]

They sold three players to Liverpool. I do remember an interview where they said they always had a list of replacements for each position, so that if they sold someone they knew who to target next.

One difference is we seem to have the replacement already at the club.

 

[Curious Orange]

The Southampton model died when the owner did.

 

[SouthSaxon]

Southampton’s model was British yoof coming through its academy and being given a chance in the first team - Luke Shaw, Walcott, Bale, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana etc.

Articles from the time point out that minutes for young players was at something of a low point - definitely not the case now.

The similarity is the low average age but I think the comparison mostly stops there.

 

[severnside gull]

The Southampton model died with Rupert Lowe

 

[Mustafa II]

The Brighton model is the Southampton model on steroids.

 

[Skaville]

They had a very good academy back in the day, producing the likes of Bale, Walcott, Lallana and Luke Shaw who were sold for big bucks. They also bought a few players who they then moved on for profit, Van Dijk and Mane being the most high profile. Finally, they had Pochettino.

Feels like academy products were the most significant, longer term part of their success, whereas our model is more blended and spread across all three (academy, players with high resale value and up and coming managers).

 

[Triggaaar]

We're often told that we're following a similar model to Southampton

I can't see it myself. They developed a few excellent players and sold them, but don't think they kept re-investing as much in the replacements as we have. We spent £200m in the summer, £40m just on Georginio, so it's not like we're expecting there to be a free money tree.

 

[Binney on acid]

I wish our academy could produce a Dibling. He looks like a generational talent to me.

 

[nicko31]

The Southampton model died when the owner did.

Indeed, Marcus Liebherr was a committed owner.

 

[dazzer6666]

I wish our academy could produce a Dibling. He looks like a generational talent to me.

Jack Hinshelwood……?

 

[dazzer6666]

I can't see it myself. They developed a few excellent players and sold them, but don't think they kept re-investing as much in the replacements as we have. We spent £200m in the summer, £40m just on Georginio, so it's not like we're expecting there to be a free money tree.

Here’s a few they sold

 

[jcdenton08]

Here’s a few they sold

View attachment 196543

Crikey. Not a bad team that!!!

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

They had a very good academy back in the day, producing the likes of Bale, Walcott, Lallana and Luke Shaw who were sold for big bucks. They also bought a few players who they then moved on for profit, Van Dijk and Mane being the most high profile. Finally, they had Pochettino.

Feels like academy products were the most significant, longer term part of their success, whereas our model is more blended and spread across all three (academy, players with high resale value and up and coming managers).

They sold nearly £185m in 23/24 including Livramento, Lavia and Ward Prowse.

Again though, is that any different to any other club having a decent income generative window?

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Here’s a few they sold

View attachment 196543

Over 20 years.

 

[Weststander]

They had an exemplary scouting system. At a time where no other south of London clubs were competing or comparable.

The TB method is more strategic, data driven, global. Using the IP he knows works through StarLizard. Not the only club to do this eg Liverpool. Newspaper articles mention Manure look on with envy and they hope to replicate.

 

[dazzer6666]

Over 20 years.

Yep, several others could have made that team as well over the period though.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

We're often told that we're following a similar model to Southampton, which presumably means scouting well and cultivating young players who are sold for a large premium.

The implications is also that this is not sustainable.

Did Saints really do this and if so, over what time period?

My recollection is a burst of high profile sales and then, like most clubs outside the big 6, a few stand out sales subsequently. Does anyone know the background and if they really did have a production line?

What I found suggests that they have bought and sold.well, perhapsnearlier than most cluns, but no more so than many in the last two decades.

Southampton most expensive player sales and total sales each year - https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/so...nsfers/blt4891b59cfa9f986c#cse80c581ce9ed69d0

No, I’ve been banging on about this for ages, it really annoys me, the two clubs situations are/were totally different. It’s a really lazy comparison.

 

[BBassic]

Didn't they also hire a succession of managers that got more and more uninspiring with time. Mark Hughes? And get sold to a Chinese consortium or something?

The whole "Brighton sign and sell young players so are destined to be Southampton Mk2" is such lazy journalism parroted by football fans who get their opinions from TalkSport.