Southampton legend Francis Benali believes Southampton have lost a ‘vital’ player ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Benali made 344 Southampton appearances across a career in which he became a cult hero for his commitment and tough tackling.
The former left-back would have enjoyed watching the club he makes no secret of his love for this season, as they secured an instant return to the top flight by winning the play-offs.
Now, Russell Martin has the unenviable task of putting together a squad capable of Premier League survival and the fact that all three newly-promoted sides were relegated last season shows just how difficult that can be.
Benali thinks that job could have been made even tougher with a decision the club have made regarding the future of a key player.
Benali hails ‘vital’ Stuart Armstrong after Southampton departure confirmed
Southampton released their retained list last week, with the major talking point the club’s confirmation that Stuart Armstrong will be leaving following the end of his contract this summer.
Armstrong had become a real fan favourite across his six years on the south coast, with his driving runs and goals and endearing him to the Southampton faithful.
He is not the only senior player out of contract, with Che Adams and Alex McCarthy still in discussions with the Saints hierarchy, but his absence may well be the most keenly felt.
At 32, Armstrong was the oldest outfield player in the squad that earned promotion and his experience – as well as his undeniable quality – will be sorely missed.
Benali echoed this sentiment in his weekly column in the Daily Echo, saying: ‘There is always an element of sadness when you see a player who has given their all depart the club.
He will leave having given supporters many brilliant moments – his tendency to score belters will live long in the memory.
As a player, he brought something different to the club. He’s a player who not only had quality but was willing to cover ground.’
Benali went on to commend Armstrong for his commitment to the club, as well as express his disappointment that injury prevented the Scotland midfielder from featuring in the play-offs, as he said:
‘He stayed around in the summer when many others left. And although he missed the crowning moment, he still played a vital role in this season’s promotion.
It goes without saying that Southampton will need to replace Armstrong this summer. His role in midfield is so important.’
Benali urges Southampton to act quickly to replace Stuart Armstrong
It had become common knowledge that Armstrong could not play a number of games in quick succession towards the end of Ralph Hasenhuttl‘s time in charge of the Saints.
Yet, somehow, Armstrong managed to adapt his game to play every single Championship game up until early April despite the increased workload in the second tier.
Armstrong’s injury in the 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City weeks later signalled the last time the former Celtic man would play in a Southampton shirt and now the club must replace his influence in the side.
The Scot scored five and assisted seven in his 42 Championship games, but his game is so much more than just goals and assists.
His ability to find pockets of space and get Southampton into the final third has been crucial to how Martin has played this season and Benali believes his replacement needs to be signed as soon as possible.
Benali wrote: ‘Although much easier said than done, the sooner Southampton sign Armstrong’s replacement, the better.
The recruitment chiefs will have already drawn up a list of targets. They should act fast to secure a signature.’
Names such as Celtic’s Matt O’Riley and Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham have been mentioned as potential replacements.
Whoever does come in will have big shoes to fill in replacing a player loved by the fanbase; most of whom hoped he would sign at least a one-year extension to his deal this summer.