Welington

Welington came through a Brazilian academy that collected youth trophies at multiple age groups, and the version of him that reached senior football is a defensively minded left back rather than an attacking outlet. He rarely gets forward in the way many modern full backs are now expected to. His job is to win the individual duel against the winger in front of him and keep the defensive line intact, an old fashioned reading of the position.

That focus on defending has come with an edge that has occasionally spilled over, including a red card for elbowing an opponent that cost him a lengthy ban. Southampton value the reliability he brings against direct wingers. A defender this committed to physical confrontation is always one rash moment away from leaving his side a man short, and balancing that aggression without losing his effectiveness is the challenge ahead.