Cédric could be in international action for Portugal today as they travel to face Lativa in their latest FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Fernando Santos’ side go into the Group B clash at Skonto Stadium (7.45pm BST) in second place behind Switzerland, with four wins and one defeat from their five games so far.
Back in November, they won 4-1 in the reverse fixture at Estadio Algarve, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace added to by goals from William Carvalho and Bruno Alves.
Watch back the best of the action from March during the 2016/17 season, as Saints faced two Premier League away trips to Watford and Tottenham Hotspur.
Though one was arguably the most important clash of the season: an EFL Cup final clash with Manchester United at Wembley.
First up, though, was a disappointing result at home to West Ham. Fresh from his arrival, Manolo Gabbiadini made the dream debut and smashed in off the bar after just 12 minutes on the pitch at St Mary’s to put Claude Puel’s men ahead.
But this was soon cancelled out, as Andy Carroll powered in just two minutes later and Pedro Obiang then gave the visitors the lead on the stroke of half time.
Mark Noble finished off the 3-1 scoreline in the second half, but, despite the result Saints would bounce back emphatically the following weekend.
Gabbiadini made it three in two games as he bagged a first-half brace away at Sunderland, before a Jason Denayer own goal and late Shane Long goal completed the 4-0 thumping.
It was the perfect way to leave the Premier League campaign on hold, as all attention then switched to the EFL Cup final and the two-week gap of preparation to fill.
32,356 Saints fans packed Wembley on the big day, and they were given a performance befitting of the occasion.
Puel’s men dominated the opening proceedings and netted after just ten minutes, when Cédric crossed for Manolo Gabbiadini to tuck in - though the Italian was then wrongly denied by the linesman’s offside flag.
A Zlatan Ibrahimovic free-kick then cruelly ensured United took the lead on 19 minutes, before Jesse Lingard found himself in too much space inside the penalty area and slotted under Fraser Forster on 38 minutes to make the situation worse.
Despite the deficit, Saints were not prepared to lie down, and as the additional time was being announced over the Wembley tannoy, James Ward-Prowse crossed into the box for Gabbiadini to slot the ball through David De Gea’s legs and earn a way back into the match.
The Italian frontman then continued his fine form in the second half and spun his man in the penalty area and wrapped his foot around the ball to direct it into the bottom corner and make it 2-2.
Despite Saints’ dominance in the closing stages, and Oriol Romeu’s header coming back off the crossbar, it was United that took victory in the dying seconds.
A quick break saw Herrera chip into Ibrahimovic in the penalty area, who powered a header past Forster from close to make it 3-2 and snatch the trophy.
And, yes, we know it happens all the time. And, no, that does not make it alright.
The Premier League rules make it very clear. Here it is:
“Subject to Rule T.7, a Contract Player, either by himself or by any Person on his behalf, shall not either directly or indirectly make any such approach as is referred to in Rule T.5 without having obtained the prior written consent of his Club.”
But what happened this week with Virgil van Dijk has suddenly thrust “tapping up” into the spotlight.
One former agent said: “No transfer happens without an element of tapping-up.
“What usually happens is that an agent goes to the club, says his player wants to leave, asks how much it will take to get him out and then relays the information to the club that wants to buy him.
“What is much more unusual is for a manager or club to become quite so directly involved without some sort of sign or indication that a player might be available.
“There’s also a lot of tapping-up which goes on between players. A rumour appears in the press, the player asks if he’s up for it, they say yes and the deal is underway.
“But I would say that, nine times out of 10, you will find that there’s an agent right in the middle of it, making it happen, making the calls, setting up the meetings.
“But generally, you only get to the stage where the player meets with a manager once you know there’s a real chance that the deal can get done, that there’s been some sort of sign that the other club is willing to sell.”
For Liverpool to apologise privately to Southampton, publicly apologise and then walk away from the deal shows that they have been caught red handed.
Southampton have already reported it to the Premier League and several clubs still expect an investigation to take place.
And yet there remains an attitude that everyone does it, Liverpool have been unlucky to be caught and there is nothing you can do.
To a degree, that is right. It is hard to imagine any deal getting done without an element of tapping up to see if the player is interested, to see if he is ready to push to leave and to see whether they can pay him what he wants.
Another example is that it has been widely reported that Alexis Sanchez’s representatives have met with Bayern Munich. Is that tapping-up? Now Manchester City are also interested.
But the difference with Liverpool is the extent of the “tapping-up” and the fact that it looks obvious that they have spoken to van Dijk without Southampton’s permission. Why? Because of the suggestion that he wants to join Liverpool. That suggestion can only be right if contact has been made.
Furthermore, the hierarchy at Liverpool are unhappy, apologetic and those involved in the whole process are now under pressure following the public outcry. It’s embarrassed Liverpool and they have apologised.
However, don’t be fooled into believing it’s unusual. So, here’s how it works with the help of various football “middle men” who would not want to be named.
Simple answer: with kids. It’s so blatant that one agent was caught parked outside a Premier League training ground after a youth game, his boot was open and in the back were pairs of boots ready to dish out to kids to reel them in.
“At 14 to 18, it’s all about boots. ‘Can you get me boots? Can you get me a boot deal?’ Kids will message agents all the time on social media asking for boots and promising to sign if they get the latest pair of Hyper Venoms.”
From there, the agent signs the player - and then can take him to another club. Tapping up starts young. Welcome to the real world.
One very high profile player has a habit of messaging the best young kids on Twitter and Instagram asking them to sign up. He has got ambitions of becoming an agent once he retires.
There is one outstanding young talent, outside of the much lauded academy system, who has been besieged. It’s been reported to the FA. Now finally some action has been taken.
“If you’re a parent, would you really want some guy you’ve never met, messaging your 14-year-old to get them to sign up? Of course you wouldn’t. First, it’s against the rules. And next it really is creepy.”
Basically, it starts with a call to the player direct or his agent. Clubs will more often than not go to the agent and set up a meeting. If an agent - who does not represent the player - hears a club wants to get a deal done then he’ll go direct to the player.
Generally, an agent works as the middle man. Club shows interest, player is up for it, can the deal get done. That’s when the ball starts rolling.
“One very big name manager regularly invites players round to his house. In fact, that’s his modus operandi. Get them round, talk to them, charm them and win them over.
“They will talk numbers, specifics. £200,000-a-week. Whatever it might be. More often than not, the agent will be there as well. And the player’s club won’t have a clue what’s going on.
“Then the clever managers will then keep the ball rolling - texts, calls and messages.
“One huge manager at a big club wants an England international. He’s been texting him for weeks. The player’s head has been turned. Four clubs are in for him. But he only wants to go to one place. And his existing club know it.”
“Players will go to hotels, the manager’s home, somewhere secret. They’re rarely caught. One manager is very prolific. Even with 15 and 16 year olds. Suddenly, they’ll be getting texts from a Premier League manager telling them to come and join. It’s very persuasive.
“Another one is terrific. The player has seen four clubs, either a manager or sporting director. He went to see one manager - and he just blew him away. The warmth, telling him he’ll play, telling him how good he is, he’s his main man.
“Some of these managers are absolutely superb.”
The gossip in football circles is that Kyle Walker first got twitchy when the inevitable dressing room banter got onto wages.
Tottenham’s right back, England’s best right back and playing in the form of his life, had just signed a new deal for £55,000-a-week at White Hart Lane.
And suddenly, his England team mates were bragging about how much they earned.
“The dressing room banter is brutal. Absolutely brutal. Then suddenly word goes round that a player is unhappy, doesn’t earn enough, word gets back to another club and the wheels are in motion. It’s not really tapping up. But it’s often how it all begins.”
The word gets round. That’s the problem. Generally it’s kept quiet but careless whispers and talk in the dressing room quickly lets the cat out of the bag.
One agent tells another, another club hears and then all of a sudden Southampton know that Liverpool have “tapped up” van Dijk.
There have been high profile cases. Ashley Cole to Chelsea, Chelsea got fined and a three points deduction suspended. Even Liverpool apologised and made a donation to charity after signing Robbie Keane from Tottenham.
But the fact is that every club does it.
“Van Dijk has raised eyebrows but it happens so often. Maybe not to this extent. The trick is don’t get caught. And just think about - there’s gossip, innuendo and suggestion. But rarely enough to make a club apologise. This is a remarkable story. It’s really caused shockwaves. But will it stop ‘tapping up?’ Of course not.”
So many times it is the agent getting busy, pushing a player, getting a call to see if his player is available.
That’s how generally it begins. And it usually ends with a big-money move.
Joe Hart, who has 70 caps for England, is Gareth Southgate’s first pick for the position while Stoke City’s Jack Butland has returned from a lengthy injury setback to be back in the mix.
“I need to go out and play as well as I can for Southampton and try to force my way onto that plane,” Forster, who has six caps since his debut in 2013, told the British media.
"If I play well then it puts the pressure on Joe (Hart) to be performing week in week out, then ultimately the manager has to make a decision.
“It’s a huge season for everyone… I just want to come back and hit the ground running and have a great season.”
Forster, who made 28 Premier League appearances for Southampton last season, is aware of the fierce competition.
“There’s obviously quite a lot of English 'keepers around at the minute but I think if you look at Joe Hart he’s the No. 1 at the minute,” Forster said.
“I want to one day be England’s No. 1 but that will take a lot of hard work.”
England travel to Scotland for their World Cup qualifier on Saturday and Forster is expecting a tough test.
“It’s obviously a crucial game that we want to win and we’re under no illusions how tough that game will be,” Forster added.
“It’s important we go to Scotland and get those three points.”
England face France in a friendly three days after the Scotland match.
THE Chinese takeover of Southampton Football Club is still in the pipeline, but the Daily Echo understands that a deal will not be sealed imminently.
Lander Sports Development have been in talks with Saints owner Katharina Liebherr for the past year regarding a £210m takeover of the club.
Representatives of Liebherr and Lander Holdings held meetings with the Premier League to discuss the deal and they were followed by investigations by the league in to the suitability of Lander chief executive Gao Jisheng.
Gao has been accused of paying bribes to Chinese politicians and, as with any such deals with top flight outfits, the Premier League carried out its own research in to the person interested in a purchase of one its clubs.
It has now been reported that the Premier League has concluded its probe and Gao has passed its owners and directors fit and proper persons test, while other areas of the structure of the deal have been approved.
However, this latest development is said not to reflect any conclusion of a deal imminently and it could be some time before anything is sealed.
Social media was abuzz last night after reports that a deal would be completed today spread.
The Daily Echo understands this not to be the case and the details of the deal are continuing to be discussed between Liebherr and Lander.
Liebherr and her team have been at the heart of the deal, rather than those in power at St Mary’s. They have carried out their own due diligence on Lander and would appear to be satisfied they are fit to carry the club forward, and indeed progress it.
Liebherr is keen for the club to continue to move forward in the way her late father Markus would want, but with her personal worth estimated at around £300m-£400m – meaning any sale would have a big impact on her personal finances too - clearly will not be able to fund the kind of lavish spending required to take Saints on the next step of their journey to become regular Champion League qualifiers.
Liebherr has already proved her loyalty to Saints by loaning the club a substantial amount of money, having pumped in all but about £15m of her family’s £69m investment in Saints.
When contacted by the Daily Echo, Southampton FC declined to comment on this matter.
Middlesbrough are close to appointing former Saints man Garry Monk as their new head coach.
Chairman Steve Gibson is ready to hand the former Swansea and Leeds boss, who has been linked with a potential move to Saints this summer if Claude Puel were to leave, a way back into the game following his Elland Road exit.
Monk will become Aitor Karanka’s permanent replacement, after assistant Steve Agnew stepped in for the final 11 games of the season but was unable to spare the club from relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.
He will face the task of trying to secure a second promotion from the Sky Bet Championship in three years, and will do so with the core of the squad which achieved that feat at the end of the 2015-16 campaign largely intact.
Former Boro defender Nigel Pearson was another strong candidate but it is Monk, who has also been linked with the job at Sunderland, who has got the nod.
Premier League clubs are announcing on Friday which players they are releasing now the 2016/17 season has finished.
Manchester City have allowed a number of high-profile players to depart, including Jesus Navas, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta, while Arsenal’s Yaya Sanogo and Everton’s Arouna Kone are among those now seeking new clubs.
The summer transfer window is already open and clubs can step up their preparations for the new Premier League season when the 2017/18 fixtures are released on Wednesday.
Top-flight clubs across the country will discover their curtain-raisers, run-ins, Christmas programme and derby dates when the schedules are published at 9am on Wednesday, June 14 - and you can follow it all with Sky Sports as we gear up for another bumper season of live football.
Where will the likes of Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte start in August? What will the opening month have in store for Arsene Wenger following his decision to stay on at Arsenal? Will new boys Newcastle, Brighton and Huddersfield get tricky or sympathetic starts? And which clashes could prove crucial at the business end of the campaign? Here’s all you need to know and how to get the news and reaction, wherever you are…
All 380 Premier League fixtures for the 2017/18 season will be released at 9am on Wednesday, June 14.
Fans of Sky Bet EFL clubs will have to wait a little longer; the schedules for the Championship, League One and League Two are out on Wednesday, June 21 and the SPFL fixtures will be published two days later on June 23.
That’s still to be confirmed but we expect to bring you details of the first batch of Premier League fixtures - those to be shown live on Sky Sports in August and September - at the beginning of July.
Sky Sports, the home of Premier League football, will show 126 live top-flight games in 2017/18 and mobile users will once again be able to see in-game goals and match highlights.
The new Premier League season kicks off on the weekend of August 12/13 and finishes on Sunday, May 13, 2018.
The Sky Bet EFL season starts a week earlier on the weekend of August 4-6 and concludes on the weekend of May 5, with the Wembley play-offs - starting with the Championship showdown this time - already booked in for 26-28 May.
Scottish league football gets going on the weekend of August 5, with the Championship, League 1 and League 2 terms concluding on Saturday, April 28 and Premiership finale on May 12/13.
The Community Shield clash between champions Chelsea and FA Cup winners Arsenal is scheduled to take place on August 6, while the League Cup - newly named the Carabao Cup - starts for lower-league clubs in the week commencing August 7.
Manchester United have a European Super Cup clash with Real Madrid on August 8, while Liverpool have a Champions League play-off tie to navigate (August 15/16) just days after the start of the league season. Everton’s bid to reach the Europa League proper starts even earlier, on July 27.
The Champions League group stage gets underway on September 12/13, while Arsenal will begin their Europa League group campaign on September 14.
Whether you’re on the move or watching at home, Sky Sports is the place for all the news and reaction.
Sky Sports News HQ - channel 406 - will bring you details of your club’s schedule as the clock strikes 9am, as well as reaction from studio guests and clubs up and down the country.
If you’re out and about, our live blog will bring you details of all the fixtures, plus analysis, reaction and social media.
Fixtures by club will be available on skysports.com and via the Sky Sports apps.
Push notifications will deliver the news straight to your phone - download the Sky Sports Score Centre app, set your favourite team and subscribe to push notifications (fixture push notifications will be for Premier League teams only)
Watch Sky Sports News HQ from 9am to find out your club’s fixtures or follow via our live blog from 7am. You’ll find news of all the fixtures - plus club-by-club guides - on skysports.com and via the Sky Sports apps from 9am.
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