Southampton boss Tonda Eckert denies reported claims about star midfielder Caspar Jander’s “unsettled” life at the club.
Despite Southampton’s FA Cup clash against Fulham being just around the corner, the chatter at St. Mary’s has centred on something else. So much so that few fans would have missed the buzz surrounding midfield star Caspar Jander’s future at the club.
With reports mentioning his “unsettled” life at Southampton, possibilities as significant as a summer departure were being discussed. The presence of several Bundesliga suitors ready to take advantage of the situation must have reminded fans of Real Madrid icon Toni Kroos’ verdict on Jander.
Notably, the six-time Champions League winner had expressed his frustration about Jander joining Southampton last summer.
The recent developments surrounding the young midfielder have confirmed Kroos’ fears, having said at the time: “How many have gone there [to the English second tier] and never been heard from again? [Jander is] a very great German talent. [The transfer annoys me] purely from a sporting and personal perspective.”
Turns out that all the speculation and buzz about Caspar Jander’s unhappy situation was a hoax. It comes after boss Tonda Eckert’s recent comments, where he questioned the legitimacy of such reports.
As quoted by the Daily Echo, Tonda clarified: “I had somebody send me the article when it came out and I was very surprised. I can say 200 percent that it doesn’t come from Caspar. We are very happy with him and he is very happy to be here.”
Eckert denies “unsettled” claim about Caspar Jander
Though Jander will soon turn 23, the fact that it’s his first year outside Germany made the rumours believable to fans. Having spent the last decade switching between clubs in his homeland, a foreign move proving difficult for the up-and-coming star seemed plausible.
Factor these speculations in, with his timely absence against Sheffield Wednesday last week. That’s enough reasons to make even die-hard fans worried about Jander’s situation.
However, the recent clarification from boss Tonda dispels the widespread lie about Caspar Jander’s situation. As Eckert mentioned, the defensive midfielder is content with his role at Southampton and happy to continue.
This also rules out the idea that Jander is overly stressed about his career should Southampton fail to win promotion this term. While that doesn’t mean he’ll become complacent, he is unlikely to leave the Saints for that reason alone now.
As for Jander’s absence against the Owls last week, Eckert previously clarified that it was due to an illness. Following the gaffer’s recent team update, Jander can return to the starting XI against Fulham in the FA Cup.
Fans would expect Caspar Jander to start in midfield as usual against the Premier League opponent. But his minutes remain uncertain, depending on how Tonda plans to use him after his recent recovery from illness.
Does Eckert’s claim ensure Jander’s stay beyond summer?
There’s no doubt that boss Tonda Eckert’s comment has dispelled the possibility of Jander being unhappy at St. Mary’s. While that’s exciting to begin with for fans, this doesn’t explicitly ensure Jander’s continuity at Saints beyond this season.
This is because of a culmination of sporting and transfer interests involved in Caspar Jander’s case.
Notably, Jander has significantly developed in his inaugural year in the Championship. While he was already an exciting talent in Germany, the Championship has helped him mature into a more complete player.
In his debut season, Jander has nearly upskilled to the level of a Top Flight star. With his elite passing accuracy and ability to contribute on both halves, it’s no surprise that his market value has more than doubled.
Though his physicality remains a question mark for an immediate jump to the Premier League, Jander’s technical ability on the ball could easily see him secure a move to most of Europe’s top leagues. The surging interest from clubs like RB Leipzig, Stuttgart, and Ajax proves as much.
Even if Jander isn’t unhappy at Southampton, the midfielder could consider a summer exit to take the next step in his career. While a potential sale would bring financial reward to the Saints, they risk losing one of their biggest talents if they fail to secure a Premier League ticket this time.
Last summer, Southampton firsthand experienced the challenges to retain top talents like Matty Fernandes and Dibling. Just like they had to heed the lucrative transfer offers for the duo, the Saints may need to part ways with Jander this summer.
For now, Tonda Eckert’s claim cools down the uncertainty surrounding Caspar Jander. But will the Saints be able to retain him despite his active contract? Only time will tell.
