With the new Premier League season kicking off in just over two weeks time, Southampton’s pre-season preparation is well underway, with plans and tactics beginning to take shape.
Saints visited China where they played out a 3-3 encounter with German side Schalke, before defeating Chinese outfit Jiangsu Suning 3-2.
On their return to the UK, they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Championship hopefuls Derby County, with the focus now on two home fixtures against Celta Vigo and Borussia Monchengladbach, which are still to come ahead of their season opener against Burnley.
The club have been very productive in the transfer window thus far and, in my opinion, have strengthened the team very well in the desired positions we required improvement in.
A total of £54.5m has been spent on new recruits Mohammed Elyounoussi, Stuart Armstrong, Angus Gunn and Jannik Vestergaard, all of whom I believe will be a big part of this coming season, where Saints will look to better the antics of last season’s seemingly unforeseen relegation battle.
So what should Saints be aiming for this season?
With the squad seeming a lot stronger now, I think Mark Hughes should be very confident of at least a top ten finish, as they look to improve on last season.
The squad has been strengthened in all of the right areas, and despite the departure of playmaker Dusan Tadic, as well as the temporary absence of Sofiane Boufal, the capabilities of the team are very much favourable, and finishing in the top half is, for me, a very realistic target.
