Saint-Armstrong

I can try...

Claude: "José is an important player for the team but also for the fans because they like José and they like the personality of José. His work with Southampton is not finished because we've got good opportunities for the European Cup and the Premier League and for me, it's very important to keep José. And he's okay with this. He had a good discussion with the director and the chairman and now, all is okay. The fans can be happy because José is staying."

SAINTS: Forster; Martina, Yoshida, Van Dijk, McQueen; Romeu; Ward-Prowse, Clasie; Tadić; Long, Redmond. Bench: McCarthy, Valery, Stephens, Jones, Turnbull, Højbjerg, Reed, Davis, Isgrove, Rodriguez, Austin.

I interviewed Fonte on Saints' future, Koeman's future and his own future (amongst other things) back in April, for a couple of nationals. Decided to dig up the above part of the transcript to share on here, in full and word-for-word... not sure how much interest it will hold for some, but thought that I may as well share it now considering the rumours that have picked up some traction. --- We’ve touched on the manager there. But just how important has he been for Southampton? You were obviously at the club when Mauricio Pochettino left, and the fans are concerned that if you keep losing top players and top managers, how does the club continue to move forward and how important is Ronald? I think Ronald has done an amazing job. Like you said, we’ve lost some great players and he and the club were able to replace them with good players as well. What he’s done for us has been fantastic and we hope that he can sign his new contract and stay with us for the next few years. He’s made us believe. We’ve had the best finishes in the Premier League, so we’re really happy. He’s been able to deal with all that has been thrown at him, so great credit to him and his staff and the board. Obviously, we want to go to the next step and the next step is to keep hold of our best players and manage to add even more quality to the great squad that we already have. Do you think it would be a statement to the rest of football if Southampton could get Ronald Koeman to sign a new deal? I think it’s the first step. It’s the first step. If we are able to keep hold of our best assets, it’s a big statement to the Premier League and to the world of what we want to achieve. So, I hope we can do it this year. I’ve seen speculation in Portugal that has said you’ve said you would quite like to retire in Portugal… is that the case? That’s speculation, that’s just speculation. What I said, in an interview. Actually, to put everything clear… A journalist asked me ‘Would you ever come back to Portugal and which of the three big clubs do you prefer?’ I said: ‘Well they’re three big clubs which makes it hard for any player to say no.’ I’m very happy at Southampton, I feel at home and this is my club. It’s where I’ve been very successful. But in football, you never know. Today, the manager likes me, the club likes me, I like the club and it’s all good. The fans like me, I love the fans and we’re fine. I would love to finish my career in Southampton, but you don’t know tomorrow and in football things change very quickly. I’m happy where I am, I really appreciate what Southampton did for me and if I finish my career in Southampton - that’s great. We’ve seen Radhi Jaïdi go into coaching at Saints and Kelvin looks like doing the same, is that something you can see yourself doing? Most definitely. I’m already taking the coaching degree with Kelvin Davis. It’s something that excites me, I like coaching and I’m passionate about it. In the next five or six years, it’s something I look forward to because at the moment I still feel fresh enough, I still have a few years in me. But I am already preparing my future. Future Saints manager one day? I would love to manage Saints. I would love to, yes, most definitely. --- He was clearly very enthusiastic in his interview when I brought up the topic of Koeman. As he says himself, football can change quickly but I can't imagine that Claude wouldn't like to have Fonte in his back-line. It all depends on whether he's had a shift in his own thinking after the Euros or if his new agent - Jorge Mendes - has made him aware of certain interest... FWIW, I think he'll still be here when the window shuts but I can see why a move might appeal to him. Especially if, as others have said, Mendes' mate Mourinho comes calling.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/premierleague/1543079/southampton-set-to-make-6million-move-for-belgium-international-ace-steven-defour/?CMP=spklr-_-Editorial-_-TWITTER-_-TheSunFootball-_-20160802-_-Football-_-535162912

So with about a month of the window left, the Saints first team squad is... (based on preseason and likelihood of appearance etc) Fraser Forster Alex McCarthy Harry Lewis Cédric Soares Cuco Martina Jérémy Pied José Fonte Florin Gardos Maya Yoshida Virgil Van Dijk Matt Targett Ryan Bertrand Oriol Romeu Jordy Clasie Pierre-Emile Højbjerg Steven Davis Harrison Reed James Ward-Prowse Dušan Tadić Nathan Redmond Charlie Austin Shane Long Jay Rodriguez Sam Gallagher Could've had McQueen/Hesketh etc but don't think we'll really see much of them, if at all. Loans or 23s matches.

Everton paying £10m for Ashley Williams who turns 32 in a couple of weeks' time.

#ambition http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/everton-agree-10million-deal-swansea-8529349

And as usual, for those who like it in formation... SAINTS: Forster; Martina, Yoshida, Van Dijk, Targett; Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Clasie; Redmond, Long, Tadić. Of course, it could be a diamond. DM: Romeu CM: JWP + Clasie AM: Tadić ST: Redmond and Long

Sickness bug, I hear.

One's a 26-year-old homegrown player and the other one is 34 in September, not homegrown and would take a higher wage - at an estimate.

Dusan felt something in his leg so Claude took the decision to rest him for this game, but he should play against Twente next up. If not, he'll be fine for the final game in Holland.

Stream is now live. Saints' first team analyst says we are lining up in a diamond to start.

And again, for those who prefer the line-up in order of formation... diamond? SAINTS: Gazzaniga; Martina, Yoshida, Van Dijk, Targett; Romeu; Clasie, Ward-Prowse; Redmond; Austin, Rodriguez.

Zwolle broadcasting this evening's Saints match for free on their own online channel: http://peczwolle.tv

Erdogan appearing on TV via FaceTime from wherever he's holed up. Calling for people to take to the streets.