Stay or Go? Deciding Which Players Southampton Should Keep & Offload This Summer

Southampton have had a pretty good season overall.

Finishing 11th in the Premier League seemed unthinkable after the 9-0 defeat to Leicester, but after that result the Saints won more points than the Foxes, with Danny Ings in particular in amazing form.

Here's an in-depth look at every player on the books at St Mary's and who may be sacrificed in the push to sign better quality players ahead of next season.

1. Goalkeepers

McCarthy has become Southampton's first choice goalkeeper recently / Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Alex McCarthy (STAY) - McCarthy has grabbed himself the number one spot at Southampton in a very peculiar year for goalkeepers on the south coast. The Saints need another keeper, so McCarthy may end up taking the number two spot if they do sign one.

Fraser Forster (GO) - Forster spent the season out on loan at Celtic and looked pretty good, but he was really iffy at Southampton so they're unlikely to give him another chance. They should sell him now to capitalise on his stock being high.

Angus Gunn (GO on loan) - He has been out of favour since the 9-0 defeat. However, Gunn is still only 24, so a year out on loan could be exactly what he needs.

2. Centre Backs

Bednarek has been really impressive for Southampton this season / Robin Jones/Getty Images

Jan Bednarek (STAY) - This has been a really important year for Bednarek. At 24 years old he is Southampton's youngest centre back, but he has been their most impressive. Hassenhuttl can build the team around him.

Jack Stephens (STAY) - Stephens is the leader in Southampton's back four. He has had a good season and he and Bednarek can build a solid partnership together.

Jannik Vestergaard (STAY) - Vestergaard has fallen out of favour this season, but he can still provide good back-up to Bednarek and Stephens

Wesley Hoedt (GO) - Hoedt arrived with much fanfare from Lazio in 2017, but after an underwhelming two seasons he was sent away on loan, first to Celta Vigo and then Antwerp. His time at St Mary's has been miserable and they should cut their losses now.

3. Full Backs

Ryan Bertrand has been a solid servant for Southampton / Robin Jones/Getty Images

Ryan Bertrand (STAY) - Bertrand has been a fantastic servant for Southampton and will continue in that fashion. His contract is up at the end of next season though, and at 31 perhaps they should be looking for an alternative.

Sam McQueen (GO) - McQueen was at one stage a promising youngster. Now 25, it is clear he won't make it at Southampton, so they should sell him.

Yan Valery (STAY) - Valery is not good enough to start for Southampton but he is currently the only right back on the books at Southampton. They desperately need to sign a new one.

4. Defensive Midfielders

Romeu has been at Southampton for five years / Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Oriol Romeu (STAY) - Every team needs at least one proper defensive midfielder and Romeu has been doing that job for five years at Southampton. At 28, he's still got a few more years in him.

Mario Lemina (GO) - Lemina was a really exciting signing three years ago, but he has been disappointing ever since. He spent last year on loan at Galatasaray and Southampton will look to sell him this window.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (GO) - The Dane looks set to join Tottenham for a fee around £15m. Southampton will desperately need to find a replacement.

Harrison Reed (STAY) - Reed has had a successful year out on loan at Fulham, helping them return to the Premier League. He deserves a chance in Southampton's first teams squad now, especially with Hojbjerg leaving.

5. Attacking Midfielders

Ward-Prowse is now the club captain / Naomi Baker/Getty Images

James Ward-Prowse (STAY) - The newly-appointed captain has had a good season and Hassenhuttl will be looking to build his team around the Englishman.

Will Smallbone (GO on loan) - The 20-year-old has started breaking into the team this season, but he is unlikely to play regularly in the top flight. A loan move may be beneficial.

Stuart Armstrong (STAY) - The Scotland international has impressed this year. Popping up with goals here and there, Southampton could use more of that next season.

Jake Hesketh (GO) - He is 24 now, and it is quite evident that he won't make it at St Mary's.

Sofiane Boufal (GO) - Boufal is another expensive signing that hasn't worked out. The silky winger has never really shown his full ability at Southampton and they could use the money brought in from selling him to buy a replacement.

Josh Sims (GO) - After a year on loan in America and at 23 years old, it's clear Sims isn't at the standard required for Southampton. They'll sell him this summer.

6. Forwards

Adams had to wait a long time for his first Southampton goals / Pool/Getty Images

Danny Ings (STAY) - Ings has had a sensational season for Southampton, scoring 22 goals. If they can keep hold of him, he will be hugely important next season.

Che Adams (STAY) - He's had a difficult first year in the Premier League, but since the restart he has started scoring and that bodes well for next season.

Nathan Redmond (STAY) - He hasn't had the career many would have expected but Redmond is still just 26 and a key part of Southampton's attack.

Moussa Djenepo (STAY) - Before his injury, Djenepo looked like a really talented player. It has taken a while for him to return to his previous form but he will be one of the players Southampton rely on next season.

Michael Obafemi (STAY) - He's started to play quite regularly for Southampton, scoring at Old Trafford. Obafemi does exactly what Hassenhuttl wants from his strikers and at 20 has a bright future.

Shane Long (GO) - Southampton have three strikers ahead of Long in the pecking order. He scores very rarely and at 33 he isn't going to get any better. The Saints should cash in.

Guido Carrillo (GO) - Another poor signing. It is hard to believe that Southampton spent around £20m on Carrillo, especially as he only scored once on loan at Leganes. Selling him would definitely be the right move.