![Colin Smith [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d28d49250c9af69bfa5ba29f7fff23358eb4c03d044bead8bec75f5c88ca03cd.jpg "Colin Smith [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
Southampton are forced yet again to power through the loss of their best players in the offseason. Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne have moved on to Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively, and adequate replacements would never come easy. Thankfully, Southampton has one of the most sophisticated recruiting programs in England and in all likelihood had already targeted Schneiderlin and Clyne’s replacements before they even left. Nevertheless, for Southampton to continue to improve they’ll need to find a way to avoid the reset button after every season.
Last Season…
Despite many preseason reports of their demise, Southampton managed to overachieve last term. Formed around a core of mostly new recruits, new manager Ronald Koeman led the Saints to a record high 7th place finish. They did that through the savvy recruiting of the aforementioned new faces but also through the considerable managerial talents of Koeman himself. Were it not for Jose Mourinho and his victorious season with Chelsea, it might have been the Dutchman who earned the Premier League Manager of the Season award.
…This Season
While the revamp this year isn’t quite so broad as it was last, Koeman and Southampton might be at slight disadvantage if only because teams will not be underestimating them as they might have last season. On top of that, Southampton will likely have to contend with Thursday night trips to far flung European sides for their Europa League group games. That’s proven to be a detriment to teams in the past. Koeman will have to be on top of an effective rotation policy in order to stay fresh for the Premier League Sunday schedule.
Ins and Outs
Schneiderlin in midfield and Clyne at rightback were two of the Saints’ most influential players over the past two years. Koeman and Southampton’s back office have identified some relative unknowns in Jordy Clasie and Cédric Soares as their replacements, along with several other players that are due to add to the depth that the Europa League demands.
We’re also due to see more of the vaunted talent produced by Southampton’s youth system. Players like James Ward-Prowse, Harrison Reed and Matt Targett all stand to see more minutes this season as they’ve matured out of the reserves.
Finally, the return of Jay Rodriguez for his extended injury leave will be rightfully treated as essentially a new signing. The forward’s pace and eye for goal could prove vital in the coming months.
Expectations
With teams like Swansea, Stoke City and Crystal Palace all making big plays for a piece of the top seven, Southampton have quite a chore on their hands if they hope to sustain or improve their chances this season. They’ll need to hope their recruits from last season have settled in to the rigors of the Premier League and that their newer players are quick studies. If there’s any manager in the Premier League that could handle those challenges though, it’s likely Ronald Koeman.