According to a recent report from Sky Sports, Southampton are in the market for a new full-back and Fulham’s Joe Bryan is one of their targets.
The Saints actually want to strengthen both of their defensive sides and for that reason, they want to dip their toes into the transfer market in January rather than waiting until the summer.
Bryan is having an excellent season in the Championship and has warranted interest from multiple clubs – Southampton could face some competition from Watford as well, as Sky Sports notes.
But who exactly is this left-back and what makes him so special?
To answer those questions, we sought the opinions of those who know him best…
David Pleat, former Tottenham Hotspur manager and pundit
Pleat was simply in awe of Bryan’s exceptional quality when he was still playing for Bristol City.
Back then, his team managed to do the impossible and knocked Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United out of the League Cup, with their left-backs immense display a key reason for the triumph.
Pleat compared Bryan to Luke Shaw and said that he had silenced his critics and showed real determination.
Here’s what he said on BBC Radio 5 Live, as quoted by Bristol Post:
“Joe Bryan showed all-round determination and ability.
“He’s really done well for himself tonight. People who have doubted him in the past will have look at him tonight and reconsider his abilities very closely.
“If you were comparing the two full-backs on the one night, you would say that Joe Bryan showed far more vitality, dynamism and ability than Luke Shaw who was brought for a lot of money.”
It’s the dawn of a new decade in the Premier League, but how much do you know about the last 10 years?
John Sheridan, Bryan’s former manager at Plymouth Argyle
The now 26-year-old defender was playing for Plymouth Argyle back in 2013 as a loanee and even though he didn’t stay there for too long, he still managed to impress his temporary manager, John Sheridan.
After a comfortable 2-0 victory over then fourth-placed Cheltenham Town at Home Park, the gaffer was heaping praise on his player, highlighting some of his biggest strengths in the process.
Here’s what he said to the Plymouth Herald:
“He just does the basics. He knows what his strengths are.
“He has got a lot of energy and, I tell you what, he won’t back out of anything in the tackle. He’s good in the air as well for his size.”
Steve Cotterill, former Bristol City manager
Another former manager who was clearly impressed by Bryan is Cotterill, the former Bristol City gaffer who coached the now 26-year-old in 2015.
Back then, after the left-back had won the Football League’s Young Player of the Month award for February, his coach heaped praise on him, saying that he could be more brains than brawn.
Here’s what he said, as quoted by BBC:
“He’s one of the clever ones and wins all the quizzes.
“He brings a sensibility. He’s level-headed. He’s one of a kind.”
Verdict
It seems that Bryan is could well be a fantastic addition at Southampton and a long term replacement for Ryan Bertrand.
Those who know him rather well believe he has a lot of quality and, for that reason, the interest from the Saints doesn’t really come as a surprise.
