Southampton’s season has taken a dramatic turn, with a strong second-half resurgence putting them within touching distance of automatic promotion and even an FA Cup final appearance. However, despite that impressive late push under Tonda Eckert, their poor start to the campaign ultimately cost them a top-two finish, forcing them to settle for a play-off spot instead.
The Saints enter the play-offs in excellent form, having recorded the best run in the Championship during the second half of the season. Their results have surpassed teams like Coventry City, Ipswich Town, and Middlesbrough. A remarkable sequence of just one defeat in 23 matches across all competitions—including a narrow loss to Manchester City after leading at Wembley in the semi-final—highlights just how strong their recovery has been.
They confirmed a fourth-place finish with a 3–1 win over Preston North End on the final day, finishing level on points with Middlesbrough, who they will now face in the play-off semi-finals for a return to Wembley.
A key factor in Southampton’s turnaround has been Eckert’s decision-making in the January transfer window. One notable move was replacing top scorer Adam Armstrong with Cyle Larin, a decision that initially drew skepticism but has since been widely praised for its effectiveness. Even more influential, however, has been the change in goalkeeping personnel.
Gavin Bazunu began the season as Southampton’s first-choice goalkeeper, occasionally rotating with Alex McCarthy. However, his form continued to struggle, and by January Eckert identified the position as a weakness. The club responded by bringing in Daniel Peretz on loan from Bayern Munich.
Bazunu was subsequently loaned out to Stoke City to provide cover following Viktor Johansson’s shoulder injury. He was expected to compete for the starting role alongside Tommy Simkin, but his time there has been disrupted.
After only one appearance—a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw against Queens Park Rangers—Bazunu suffered a training injury that sidelined him for six weeks. Since returning, his performances have been inconsistent, with costly errors against Wrexham and Millwall further damaging his reputation.
Stoke included an £8 million option-to-buy clause in the loan agreement, but that fee now appears unrealistic. With Johansson now signing a new four-year contract, securing his place as Stoke’s long-term first-choice goalkeeper, it is highly unlikely the club will pursue a permanent deal for Bazunu.
As a result, Bazunu is expected to return to Southampton this summer, but his long-term future at St Mary’s looks uncertain. He has just one year remaining on his contract after 2026, and the club may look to sell him while he still retains some market value.
Meanwhile, Daniel Peretz has impressed significantly since joining on loan, recording strong shot-stopping statistics and outperforming expectations in goals prevented. Southampton also have an option to sign him permanently for around €8 million (£6.9 million), and his performances suggest the club are likely to activate that clause regardless of their promotion outcome.
With Peretz seemingly set to become the long-term goalkeeper solution and Bazunu’s form declining, Eckert faces an important decision this summer over whether the Irish international remains part of Southampton’s future or moves on elsewhere.
As things stand, Bazunu’s next step remains unclear, with his future depending on Southampton’s squad plans heading into the new season.
