3 Southampton players may have few playing time during the stretch for promotion. 

Southampton’s clear objective for this season has been an immediate return to the Premier League. Currently positioned fourth with ten games left, they’re hopeful for an automatic promotion, especially with two games in hand over Leeds United and Ipswich Town, and one over Leicester City, fueling the aspirations of their fans.

Manager Russell Martin is confronted with the challenge of squeezing in the remaining ten fixtures within a tight 36-day span after the international break. While he’ll need to rotate his squad, given the high stakes, it’s not the time to experiment with unproven players. Instead, Martin is likely to opt for a consistent lineup whenever possible, aiming to build momentum in their promotion bid. Hence, it wouldn’t be surprising to see regular players getting the bulk of the game time in the crucial final months of the season.

Considering this approach, certain players who have shown inconsistency might see their playing time reduced during this crucial phase.

Kamaldeen Sulemana unlikely to be a starter

Kamaldeen Sulemana arrived at Southampton on the last day of the previous January transfer window in a bid to bolster the team’s chances of remaining in the Premier League. His signing set a new record for Southampton, costing the club £22 million. However, he has struggled to justify this hefty price tag. Despite over a year passing since his transfer, his only notable contribution remains a brace scored against Liverpool in a match that held little significance as Southampton was already relegated from the Premier League.

Although he arrived at the club midway through the previous season, it was unexpected to see Sulemana still with Southampton at the beginning of the current season. His start was hampered by injury, and he suffered another setback in November just as he was beginning to establish himself in Russell Martin’s starting lineup. Despite making 20 appearances in the Championship, he has only managed three assists and failed to find the net, which is a disappointing return considering his potential.

Shea Charles is ranked lower in midfield.

Shea Charles arrived at Southampton from Manchester City in the summer, with high expectations surrounding the young midfielder, fueled by a potentially lucrative fee that could reach £15 million.

However, some of these expectations may have been overly ambitious, especially considering the immediate success of Roméo Lavia, who had made a similar move just a season earlier. Nonetheless, Charles has experienced a season marked by ups and downs.

One of the factors contributing to Charles’ signing was his versatility. Yet, this flexibility may have posed challenges for the 20-year-old as he struggled to secure a regular position in the team. Initially deployed as a central defender by manager Russell Martin at the start of the campaign, Charles has also been utilized as a holding midfielder, a box-to-box central midfielder, and even a right-back.

In his debut senior season, Charles has started 13 league games, showing flashes of quality but also encountering difficulties. Despite being primarily considered a holding midfielder, Charles has found it tough when tasked with playing as the anchor in the midfield, appearing more comfortable in a slightly advanced role. This has often led to Will Smallbone taking on the ‘6’ role in the absence of Flynn Downes.

With Downes back in the lineup and Smallbone earning the manager’s favor, alongside midfield options such as Stuart Armstrong, Joe Rothwell, and Joe Aribo, Charles may not see another league start this season. This aligns with recent trends, as he has been an unused substitute in the last four Championship games.

Despite the possibility of reduced playing time towards the end of the season, Charles’ development will continue. The experiences gained from his first senior season will undoubtedly prove valuable for his future at Southampton.

Sekou Mara yet to be trusted by Russell Martin

Sekou Mara, a young French striker, has shown flashes of talent but has struggled to consistently deliver solid performances. Despite making some impressive cameo appearances off the bench during the festive period, he has found it challenging to replicate that form when starting games.

While it’s important to bear in mind that Mara is only 21 years old and has started just three Championship games, it’s hard to overlook his contributions, such as the crucial goal and assist in the recent 5-3 comeback victory against Huddersfield Town. However, it seems unlikely that manager Russell Martin will prioritize Mara over the experience of players like Che Adams or Adam Armstrong in the crucial run-in towards the end of the season.

In the past three league games, Mara has only played for 11 minutes, indicating his limited role in the team. It appears that he will only get significant minutes if Southampton are desperately chasing a game or have a comfortable lead where they can afford to rest their starting center forward.

Considering Mara’s limited opportunities, his tally of six goals and two assists across all competitions is commendable. However, even in the event of an injury to one of Adams or Armstrong, Martin is likely to explore alternative solutions rather than relying solely on Mara as the main striker.