Mark Hughes had more than one reason to accept the Southampton job.
Partly for the excitement at being back in the Premier League, and partly for the oppurtinity to work with so many players that he admires highly.
In fact, the Stoke Sentinel have reported just how many times the Welshman has tried to sign players that would ultimately end up on the South Coast over the last few years. Now though, he has all of them together at his disposal.
Talking about the squad he has inherited form Mauricio Pellegrino, Hughes said;
I know a great deal about them from coming up against Southampton over the years.
You get a real understanding of what they’re about and the style of play.
If I’m honest, I’ve probably tried to sign half of them but haven’t quite got them over the line.
For Hughes, here are the ones that got away, that he now has the opportunity to work with.
