Analyzing the fortunes of Southampton academy players who left the club in recent years

Both Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale are products od the Southampton FC Academy.Southampton Football Club have, in recent years, been reaping the rewards of their well-known youth policy. It must be something in the water on the south coast of England that produces talented footballers by the truckloads. The Southampton youth academy is the envy of the Premier League and Europe.There is much to be said about the gains of this kind of policy. And although Southampton have enjoyed those benefits at least in part, the grim reality is that they are simply not attractive enough to persuade these talents to stick around at the club.The hugely fertile ground has been harvested by more financially powerful clubs, but they have not always had happy shopping at St. Mary's. The alumni of the Southampton youth academy have had contrasting fortunes since leaving the club.

#6 Luke Shaw

Despite his tender years, Luke Shaw quickly became part of the furniture at St. Mary’s and was envisioned as a huge part of the club’s future. Alas, big money came a-knocking and the London-born defender sealed a lucrative move to Manchester United, becoming the then-most expensive teenager in history in 2014.

His club career has largely gone downhill since then. Injuries were principally to blame along with Louis van Gaal’s preference for Marcos Rojo or Daley Blind at left back. Shaw only made 16 league appearances in 2014/15 as the Red Devils returned to the Champions League.

Armed with the benefit of a pre-season, Shaw was expected to reclaim his place in the side and started the 2015/16 season in fine form before disaster struck. In the first Champions League game of the season, he suffered a horrific leg break against PSV Eindhoven. Frightening scenes of extensive medical treatment, including administration of oxygen, followed and Shaw is expected to be out of action for several months, probably even the rest of the season.

Shaw has encountered problems since his big money move, not all of his own making. Perhaps a better assessment of his capabilities can be made once he enjoys an extended spell in his favoured position.

Grade: D

#5 Calum Chambers

Calum Chambers was billed as Arsene Wenger’s potential handyman upon his arrival in 2014. His versatility included his ability to feel equally at home in the centre of defence or at right back, and possibly even in defensive midfield.

Chambers enjoyed an auspicious first half of the season. He did play everywhere, turning in mature, assured performances that belied his youth and inexperience. It looked as though Arsenal had found their much sought-for blend of maturity and youth in one six foot frame.

He then stumbled slightly, as can reasonably be expected of a young player, in the second half of the season. Wenger however, instead of backing his man, responded by purchasing defender Gabriel Paulista for cover in defence while turning to Hector Bellerin to fill in at right back.

Both have worked a charm. As a consequence, Chambers’ encouraging start looks like a flash in the pan – he has made only three appearances this season. Although this big move hasn’t gone quite according to plan, he looks set to have a bright future.

Grade: C

#4 Adam Lallana

Adam Lallana’s final season at Southampton will not be bettered as a masterpiece in how best to utilise the midfielder. As captain, Lallana was the centre-piece of the side’s creative endeavours and scored 10 goals in all competitions himself.

Liverpool haven’t been able to do the same. A hefty transfer fee meant Lallana was under pressure to perform immediately, but a combination of recurring injuries, an uncertain place in the side and his removal from the spotlight have all conspired against him.

Matters have not been helped by his inability to refit himself smoothly into the new team dynamic. Indeed, at times it has looked as though Lallana was playing a different game compared to his teammates.

There have been some positive signs and flashes of inspiration – two goals against Swansea at Anfield, the winner against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the FA Cup, two goals in his two appearances in Europe this season. But Lallana has, on the whole, not justified his price tag. Whether the arrival of Jurgen Klopp will be enough to elevate his game to a new level remains to be seen.

Grade: C

#3 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Call it the benefit of a longer evaluation period, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is one the few on this list whose big move has included anything resembling stable form.

His initial transfer to Arsenal was yet another example of Arsene Wenger’s keen eye for a talented youngster. Embracing the classic English values of speed, strength and an occasional tendency toward the spectacular (like a 25-yard screamer or a mazy dribble), the ‘Ox’ has played both on the flanks and in central midfield.

Although not a prolific goal scorer, Chamberlain has, by and large, enjoyed his stay in North London. Still only 22, he also has time on his side to establish himself as a regular starter instead of making cameos off the bench.

Grade: B

#2 Theo Walcott

Although Theo Walcott has talent, he is hamstrung by the rather limited scope of his abilities. Injury has also played havoc; it was, after all, responsible for him missing the 2014 World Cup. Before he was sidelined for the majority of two seasons, he did score more than 20 goals in the season after the departure of Robin van Persie.

Further, Walcott has mostly played on the wing, deployed, no doubt, to make use of his raw speed. He does not seem to fancy it, making his intention of playing as a centre-forward clear on numerous occasions.

His numbers, for a winger, have been steady. Occasionally spectacular, but not regularly so. Nonetheless, his professional career seems perfectly respectable and only given a negative spin by early hype that, almost certainly, should never have been there in the first place.

There are recent indications that Walcott can perform in his preferred role, however. Recently, he has been deployed in a more central role by Wenger and the results have been encouraging. 4 goals and 3 assists in 10 appearances this season suggest that Walcott, now 26 and with his physical peak years approaching, can finally satisfy a world that expects too much of him.

Grade: B

#1 Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale is one of modern football’s great turnarounds. From being unsuccessfully peddled to Birmingham City to setting a world record transfer fee, it seems right to ask the question, “Where did it all go so right for Bale?”

Granted, it was not all flowers and chocolates when Bale first left Southampton. Regarded as a handy left back with nothing to offer but potential, Bale endured a difficult time in his initial years at Tottenham. But Harry Redknapp oversaw a dramatic turnaround.

Bale, moved up to the wing and improved rapidly. Besides broadening his overall skill set to include speed, dribbling, spectacular goals and set pieces, Bale became the Spurs’ talisman and the most important player of 22 on the pitch. His individual performance practically decided the result.

At Real Madrid, Bale endured initial injury problems. Upon recovery, however, he revitalised the attack. Crucial goals in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals followed, as Bale continued to prove his worth. 39 goals in the first two seasons is an impressive return and 2015/16 has also begun well for the Cardiff native.

Of all Southampton’s famed youth graduates, not many can say they became one of the best in the world. Bale is one of those.

Grade: A