Morgan Schneiderlin was born in Obernai, next to the France-Germany border, in 1989. He signed for local club, Strasbourg, as a teenager and spent 13 years there.
In 2008, he signed for Southampton for £1.2m in 2008, aged 18. Southampton were relegated to League One, meaning he has had experience of playing in three divisions in England, before they were promoted to the Premier League again in 2012.
In his first season in the Premier League he made more interceptions and tackles than any other player in the league. He was also named the Fans’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season.
At international level, he has represented France at under-16, under-17, under-18 level, captaining them all, as well as under-19 level. He made his debut last June, before going to the World Cup last summer, after Franck Ribéry and Clément Grenier pulled out with injury. He made one appearance in the tournament.
This season, he has repeatedly stated his desire to leave the club if Southampton don’t make it in to the Champions League. Despite occupying a place in the top four during the season, they eventually finished seventh.
“I think my decision is made,” he reiterated last month. “I learned a lot last season. The goal is to stay in England. It is a championship that I like and where I have a lot of fun. If I leave Southampton, it is for a club that plays better than the Europa League. There are ongoing discussions, but nothing is done. But, of course, the Champions League is my goal. If I leave Southampton it will be for a club in the Champions League. I have a two-year contract. If a club pays the right amount for me, it will be time to leave. The amount? I have no idea, but I will not leave for a small price. Southampton is known to be a good seller club, the price should be high enough.”
