MANAGER
Mauricio Pellegrino
STAR MAN
Virgil van Dijk
LAST SEASON
8th
TOP SCORER
Nathan Redmond (7)
KEY INS
Mario Lemina (Juventus, £18m), Jan Bednarek (Lech Poznan, £5.7m)
Jan Bednarek
KEY OUTS
Jay Rodriguez (West Brom, £12m), Jason McCarthy (Barnsley (£200,000), Cuco Martina (Everton, free), Martin Caceres (Verona, free)
REASONS TO BE POSITIVE
For the first time in many season, Saints have not – yet – lost a star name. New manager Pellegrino worked wonders at La Liga’s Alaves.
REASONS TO BE PESSIMISTIC
The absence of skipper Van Dijk, whether temporarily or permanently, casts a considerable shadow. Goalscoring issues have not been fixed and they have been poor in pre-season.
ONE TO WATCH
In the absence of any exciting incomings, the onus falls on the likes of Sofiane Boufal to belatedly live up to the enlivening reputation he earned at Lille before last summer’s arrival.
Sofiane Boufal
EXPECTATION
The revolving door of managers keeps spinning at Saints, yet their record of respectable finishes also continues.
REALITY
The time when change catches up with Southampton seems at hand. If Manolo Gabbiadini does not attain consistency of finishing, a descent down the table awaits.