Southampton Opinion: Why Mahlon Romeo will be a good fit for the Saints?

After Cedric Soares sealed a loan move to Inter Milan in January, Southampton pursued KRC Genk right-back Joakim Maehle. The Saints looked for Maehle in the January transfer window in order to compete with youngster Yan Valery. However, a deal didn’t materialise and Ralph Hasenhuttl failed to add a right-back to his squad.

Failure to replace Cedric last month hasn’t done much harm to Southampton as Yan Valery has impressed at right-back. The youngster has grabbed the opportunities given by Hasenhuttl with both the hands, dishing out some really promising displays.

That said, considering the Saints have picked up just two points from their last three Premier League games, and against opposition they would have fancied their chances against – Crystal Palace, Burnley and Cardiff – Hasenhuttl has a lot of work to do to avoid relegation.

Whatever happens at the end of the season, strengthening the defence has to be a priority for the manager. The Saints must look for a new right-back in summer, with Inter having the option to make Cedric’s loan deal permanent. That said, Southampton should make a move for Millwall defender Mahlon Romeo.

Mahlon Romeo, 23, has impressed for Millwall since joining from Gillingham in May 2015. The 23-year-old has played in 27 Championship matches this season and has a single assist to his name form the right-back position. But he has been given license by manager Neil Harris to maraud forward to overlap his winger and get involved more in the attacking third of the pitch.

Romeo is a gritty full-back, blessed with decent pace and energy to bomb up and down the pitch. He has massively improved this season under the watchful eyes of Neil Harris, and it is clear that with more games against Championship players under his belt he has got better.

The 23-year-old is also good in 1v1 situations and works tirelessly off the ball, something which could tempt Hasenhuttl in making a move for him.

Conclusion

Southampton sorely need a right-back to provide cover and competition for the young Valery and Romeo fits the bill perfectly. It would also be a massive coup for the Saints and put the club in good stead.

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But, Hasenhuttl’s Southampton will have to be ready to flush out a lot of money for the defender as Romeo signed a new long-term contract extension with Millwall in December.