Mick Channon Blasts Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United for Southampton's Player Exodus

Southampton legend Mick Channon has launched a scathing attack on players and other Premier League clubs for poaching the top talents from St Mary's in the ongoing transfer window.

The Saints have earned over £90m from the sale of five first-team players after Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren joined Liverpool while Calum Chambers and Luke Shaw joined Arsenal and Manchester United respectively.

Jay Rodriguez and Morgan Schneiderlin too are being coaxed to head towards the Hampshire club's exit doors with reported interest from Brendan Rodgers' side, the Gunners and their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Channon, who played 15 years at Southampton in two spells as a forward, claims that the current generation does not have a feeling of loyalty towards the clubs. He stresses that the players are more than happy to pocket hefty wages and play less football.

"I don't know when this is all going to finally stop. It's sad to see a side which was only going to get better being broken up like this. The players have chosen to leave and I don't blame the club. Their hands are tied and the Bosman ruling means they have to cash in," the Daily Mail quoted Channon as saying.

"I realise times change but it was different in my era. I just wanted to play as many big games as I could. Now the power has shifted from the club to the player as they will sit on their backsides at a big club for 20 games a season."

"But they don't really care. There is a big pay packet on offer at a big club. Everyone knows there is no loyalty anymore in football. It's the fans I feel sorry for. They put hard-earned money in and then you see your heroes leaving at will," he added.

The 65-year-old also pointed fingers at Liverpool citing the number of players the Merseyside club have 'cherry picked' this summer.

"Lovren leaving is another blow. How many players do Liverpool want from us? It's getting beyond a joke. I do worry about the Premier League. What chance do the rest of the clubs have if the big clubs can cherry pick your best players," the former England international concluded.