Tonda Eckert has done an excellent job at Southampton since his appointment, even though the club did not gain promotion last season.

We are all aware of the circumstances surrounding Saints’ elimination from the play-offs, and while it has harmed Eckert’s image in the eyes of some, there is no doubting that he improved the club after his arrival.

The German did inherit a solid squad at Southampton, but that didn’t tell the entire picture, as the fans were justifiably upset with how the club had been operated, and Eckert took over a group of players acquired by several managers over the years.

But he was able to shape them into a cohesive unit, and that team spirit was critical to the Saints’ unbeaten streak last season.

Aaron Ramsdale has been an expensive blunder for Southampton.

However, Eckert is still experiencing the effects of past regimes’ purchases, with Aaron Ramsdale returning to St. Mary’s this summer following a loan spell at Newcastle.

The Magpies passed down the chance to make the move permanent, therefore the ex-England goalkeeper is back on the south coast with two years left on his contract.

Aaron Ramsdale’s 25/26 Premier League Statistics (Source: Sofascore)

Appearances

12

Clean sheets.

1

Goals were conceded.

21

Save Percentage

59.5%

Saves each game.

2.1

Goals Prevented

– 0.45

Ramsdale agreed to join Russell Martin’s team in 2024 for up to £25 million, which was considered a coup at the time.

However, the goalkeeper was unable to prevent the club’s relegation, and he has not played for them since.

Aaron Ramsdale has no future at Southampton after Daniel Peretz’s arrival.

There is no evidence that Ramsdale has a negative impact on the team on a daily basis, therefore some may wonder why Eckert has not reintegrated him into the group.

However, Ramsdale has not played in preseason, and with Peretz returning to the club, he is unlikely to replace him in the starting lineup.

The former Bayern Munich goalkeeper was fantastic after coming in January, and Saints made it a priority to lure him back in the summer, which they did.

With George Long joining permanently this summer as a backup, the goalkeeping position appears to be settled.

So, while Ramsdale could replace Long on the bench, it would alter the dynamic, and if Peretz made a mistake, it would raise doubts about whether Ramsdale should play.

Eckert does not want that, thus he has been left in a position where he believes the wisest course of action is to exclude Ramsdale from game day.

Southampton must be prepared to absorb a financial cost for Aaron Ramsdale.

It’s no surprise that the Saints have made it plain that Ramsdale is free to depart, but it’s telling that no clubs have expressed interest in the goalkeeper at this time.

Given the cost he demanded and the fact that he came from Arsenal, it’s easy to assume Ramsdale is paid well, particularly by Championship standards.

Of course, due to the keeper’s problems in previous years, Saints will not be able to repay their investment, and even loaning him out could be difficult.

That might put the Southampton hierarchy in a tight position in the final week of the window, and they may realise they need to make a significant financial sacrifice to get Ramsdale out the door.

Tonda Eckert will promote unity in Southampton.

Even though Ramsdale hasn’t played a game for him, Eckert will understand that he needs to resolve this.

As previously stated, there is no sign that the 28-year-old is a problem, but his status in the game ensures that it will be a continual topic of discussion during the season. Furthermore, it is not optimal monetarily to have a big earner contribute nothing on a matchday.

Eckert will undoubtedly have some difficult meetings with those in positions of authority, and he will emphasise the need of squad unity and cohesiveness as he seeks to return Southampton to the Premier League.