With Southampton confirming on Saturday evening that European Championship winning fullback Cedric Soares’ time at St Mary’s Stadium was now up as he completes a loan move out to Italian side Inter Milan, reactions amongst the fanbase were a little mixed in some ways.
The 27-year-old has given us great service following his arrival from Sporting back in 2015 for a reported £4.7million and if the loan to buy deal is worth the reported £10million in total, it represents a decent mark up for the club given my assumption is we wanted him out following poorer form in recent seasons.
To save overly repeating the story, I’ll copy it in here for the details.
Southampton Could’ve Held Out For More In Some Ways As International Moves On
We undoubtedly could’ve received more than £10million in the current market, but it trims the group a little further for manager Ralph Hasenhuttl and gives him extra money to play with in the remainder of this month, or next summer when I would expect major changes as opposed to tweaks.
With Cedric’s performances being mixed in recent years, if the deal is completed over the summer he leaves with 115 starting appearances to his name, with a further four from the substitutes bench. In that time he contributed two goals.
#SaintsFC can confirm that defender @OficialCedric has joined #FCIM on loan for the rest of the season, with a view to a permanent move: https://t.co/Sr5wezLQyh
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 26, 2019
Thank you for everything Cedders, especially this x pic.twitter.com/6m2p9KnSxc
— Dan Hargraves (@danhargraves_) January 26, 2019
Okay, now maybe we sign someone? ????????
— Rob (@rjcSFC) January 26, 2019
All the very best Cedric ????????
— Art68????⚪️ (@ArthurCogger) January 26, 2019
My thoughts exactly.
— lewis (@lewis90019235) January 26, 2019
Bring him back after the end of the loan spell, he's still a great player and his speed and strength is a great asset when attacking and defending
— #Trust the process ???? (@EmperorWindu) January 26, 2019
Oh how I’ll miss those pictures of him out in London squeezed into those incredible tight ridiculous clothes ????
— Emma Allen (@EmmaRAllen) January 26, 2019
Great news
— andrew l davis (@hampshirehogsfc) January 26, 2019
Finally. ????
— Saint Harris (@LHarrisSFC) January 26, 2019
I never rated Cedric. His first game ever for Saints v Everton and I remember Lukaku absolutely smothered him. Not upset that he's gone as an individual, but very nervous about how thin the squad is getting. Ik ralph likes a small squad but 18-20 players is very small for prem.
— Liam Meakin (@_Sodzilla_) January 26, 2019