Ramsdale left outside Southampton goalkeeping plans after Newcastle loan

Aaron Ramsdale remains outside Southampton's first-team plans following his return from a loan spell at Newcastle United, with manager Tonda Eckert praising the goalkeeper's professionalism despite his exclusion. BBC Sport reported on Monday that Daniel Peretz is Eckert's first choice, followed by George Long, while Jamie Jones has returned primarily to work as a training goalkeeper.

Watch the highlights:

Eckert told BBC Radio Solent that he and Ramsdale had held frank discussions throughout pre-season and until the transfer window closed. The manager said the goalkeeper understood that he was expected to help the team and had responded professionally. BBC Sport reported that Ramsdale remained on good terms with Eckert, the coaching staff and his fellow goalkeepers despite not featuring this season.

The situation follows a Newcastle loan that did not deliver a lasting starting role. Ramsdale made 23 appearances across all competitions during the 2025-26 campaign, including 12 in the Premier League, and kept two clean sheets. Neither he nor Nick Pope established an undisputed hold on the position. His appearances also included Newcastle's 7-2 Champions League last-16 defeat by Barcelona.

Southampton had paid £25m to sign Ramsdale from Arsenal in August 2024 after winning promotion. He went on to make 30 league appearances, but the club finished bottom with 12 points. Ramsdale conceded 66 goals, more than any other goalkeeper in that Premier League season. The relegation preceded his temporary move to Newcastle in search of continued top-flight football.

His current position contrasts with his earlier progress at Arsenal. Following a £24m move from Sheffield United in 2021, he displaced Bernd Leno and helped the club finish fifth in his first season. During Arsenal's subsequent title challenge, he earned a place in the Professional Footballers' Association team of the year before losing his starting spot to David Raya the following campaign.

Former Bournemouth team-mate Asmir Begovic told BBC Sport that Ramsdale remained a high-quality goalkeeper. Begovic, who had helped mentor him at Bournemouth, said he needed to maintain his fitness and training standards so he would be ready when another playing opportunity arrived.