Eckert Confirms Ramsdale's Role at Southampton Despite Goalkeeping Depth
Aaron Ramsdale has slipped to fourth in Southampton’s goalkeeping pecking order, but head coach Tonda Eckert insists the England international still has a part to play at the club.
The 28-year-old, who arrived from Arsenal in the summer of 2024 after losing his place to David Raya, now finds himself behind Daniel Peretz, George Long and veteran Jamie Jones at St Mary’s. Yet Eckert is adamant Ramsdale remains inside the tent, even if he is no longer anywhere near the front of the queue.
“The reality is that Rambo's story at the football club has started before I came in,” Eckert told BBC Radio Solent. “We've had honest conversations from the very first day of pre-season to the last day of the transfer window and he's still a part of the group.”
Ramsdale’s journey with Saints has already taken several sharp turns. He made 30 Premier League appearances in the 2024-25 season as Southampton were relegated, then spent last term on loan at Newcastle United, playing 23 times under Eddie Howe. He returned to a club still stuck in the second tier and still living with the fallout from the Spygate scandal, which saw them removed from last season’s play-off final.
This season, Ramsdale has been turning out for Southampton’s under-21s, a decision Eckert says came from the player himself as he looked for minutes and rhythm.
Having failed to secure a move before the transfer window closed, Ramsdale – a Champions League and England-cap holder – now looks set to remain at St Mary’s at least until January. His role, for now, is less about the spotlight and more about the support act.
“The expectations for him are clear to support the team in the best way and he's been very professional in doing that so far,” Eckert said. “Let's see what happens. Aaron also became a father for the second time a couple of days ago, my expectation is that he is a Southampton player.”
Peretz locked in as No 1
If Ramsdale’s future feels uncertain, the situation at the top of the depth chart is anything but. Daniel Peretz is the man Eckert has nailed his colours to.
The former Bayern Munich and Hamburg goalkeeper impressed after arriving on loan in the second half of last season. Southampton moved quickly to make that deal permanent in June, paying a reported £6m and, crucially, handing Peretz the gloves on a long-term basis.
“Me and the club have made a clear commitment to Daniel as our number one and that stands,” Eckert said. “I think he deserves that off the back of some brilliant performances in the last season.”
Behind Peretz, Eckert has doubled down on continuity. George Long, last season’s No 2, keeps that role. Jamie Jones, 37, returned to the club on deadline day to resume his duties as a training goalkeeper and experienced back-up.
“My commitment to Longy as number two stands as well,” Eckert added. “That group has worked really well together last year as well as Jamie as the training goalkeeper and this is the way that we will go forward.”
So Ramsdale, once a rising Premier League starter and a regular in high-stakes fixtures, now operates on the fringes of a Championship squad, training alongside a settled hierarchy and playing with the under-21s.
January will bring another window and with it fresh questions. For now, Eckert’s message is blunt: Ramsdale stays, supports, and waits.
