Premier League Preview: Southampton have been robbed, but all is not lost

Manager Mauricio Pochettino went first — to Tottenham Hotspur. Then came Liverpool with a calculated raid. They were followed by Manchester United and finally, Arsenal. Southampton’s fortunes changed in the span of a few weeks. Not only have they lost their best players — but even the man who made them play some scintillating football last season. What is worrying is that this ‘robbery’ may not be over. Luke Shaw (to Manchester United), Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert (all to Liverpool) and Calum Chambers (to Arsenal) may be joined in the exodus by Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez — the former making it plain as day that he wants to leave the Saints. Nathaniel Clyne, Jack Cork and Jose Fonte all have potential suitors in place. Young and lanky James Ward-Prowse could be thrust into the limelight this season — probably moving on the next. With Pochettino gone, the culture within the club seems to have changed. Not just him, but the club’s management has also changed. New manager, new CEO, new chairman but very few new players. [caption id=“attachment_1663015” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Ronaldo Koeman. Reuters[/caption] But maybe all is not lost. In the form of Ronald Koeman, Southampton moved quickly to replace a charismatic manager with a talented one. Just like Pochettino, he believes in promoting youth — Bruno Martins Indi, Stefan De Vrij and Jordy Clasie are all Koeman-honed talents and featured for Netherlands at the World Cup in Brazil. In his time at Feyenoord, the club’s academy was voted as the best in the country. With Southampton’s academy already one of the best in England, Koeman is expected to fit right in. He may not be as radical as his predecessor, but he’s vastly experienced having previously managed Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Fayenoord and Valencia at a time when all these clubs needed some rebuilding. He has also been assistant manager at Barcelona (with the great Johan Cruyff) and Netherlands — his CV boasts of top-class pedigree — something Southampton need at this moment. He was also a phenomenal player (193 goals as a defender) and great players command respect in dressing rooms. He has already brought in Dusan Tadic (left-winger, 16 goals and 14 assists for FC Twente last season) and Graziano Pelle (centre-forward, 26 goals and 6 assists for Feyenoord last season) from the Dutch league along with midfield destroyer Saphir Taider from Inter Milan and left-back Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea. Southampton gives the impression of being a club lost and prepared to join a list of promoted sides who have a couple of good seasons before being skinned of their best players and sinking into the abyss of relegation. But this is a side who have been used to success over the last five seasons — climbing rung after rung to make it to the Premier League. They will not let their status slip so easily and have a manager who fits their philosophy. The sales may take them a few notches down on the table and Koeman’s goofy smile may make it look like he’s taking it too easy — but Southampton will survive, play good football and watching Koeman manage will be very interesting. Prediction: 12th Squad Kelvin Davis, Nathaniel Clyne, Maya Yoshida, Morgan Schneiderlin, José Fonte, Steven Davis, Jay Rodriguez, Gastón Ramírez, Dušan Tadić, Victor Wanyama, James Ward-Prowse, Jack Cork, Graziano Pellè, Ryan Bertrand, Emmanuel Mayuka, Paulo Gazzaniga, Jos Hooiveld, Lloyd Isgrove, Harrison Reed, Billy Sharp, Artur Boruc, Jason McCarthy, Matt Targett Transfers In: Dusan Tadic (FC Twente, £10.9m), Graziano Pelle (Feyenoord, £9m), Saphir Taider (Inter Milan, Swap), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea, Loan). Out: Luke Shaw (Manchester United, £30m rising to £31m), Adam Lallana (Liverpool, £25m), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool, £20m), Calum Chambers (Arsenal, £16m), Rickie Lambert (Liverpool, £4m), Tom Leggett, Isaac Nehemie (Both Aston Villa, Undisclosed), Danny Fox (Nottingham Forest), Andy Robinson (Bolton), Lee Barnard (Southend United), Matt Young (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Forte (Oldham Athletic), Dani Osvaldo (Inter Milan, Swap), Jordan Turnbull (Swindon Town, Loan). Released: Lee Barnard, Joe Curtis, Guily Do Prado, Andreas Sony.