Southampton release 12 players including ex-England star Adam Lallana after Premier League relegation

The Irish Sun

a day ago

SOUTHAMPTON have made a ruthless end-of-season cull following their relegation to the Championship.
The south-coast side were
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Southampton were relegated to the Championship with seven games to spare
Credit: REUTERS
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Saints have released 12 players, including Champions League winner Adam Lallana
Credit: GETTY
Dropping back to the second tier of English football will put some serious financial strain on the club.
And to cut costs, they have released 12 players - including former
Liverpool
star and
England
international Adam Lallana.
Youngsters Derrick Abu, Josh Lett, Josh McNamara and Lewis Payne have all been released from their respective contracts at St Mary's.
Scholars
James Martin
, Tevin Myers, Alfie Prescott, Ben Sheaf and Harry Upstell have also been moved on.
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Lallana, 37, isn't the only big name to depart the Saints this month.
Lallana, however, could still be at St Mary's come the start of the
Championship
season in August.
The midfielder has been linked with a coaching role under new gaffer Will Still.
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Will Still has inked a three-year deal at Southampton
Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK
Still, 32, inked a three-year deal with Saints last month to succeed Ivan Juric, who left the club after confirmation of their return to the Championship.
Still is relishing
the challenge
on his hands, saying: "There is huge potential here and we have a great opportunity to do something special.
Adam Lallana reflects on going back to his boyhood club Southampton
"The project that has been laid out to me is very impressive and, all together, I believe we can build a clear identity and a very positive
future
for the team.
"I'm eager to get to work this
summer
and start building a close-knit group that can make everyone proud and ultimately get us back to where we belong; in the Premier League."