Guardian writers’ predicted position: 14th (NB: this is not necessarily Ben Fisher’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)
Last season’s position: 15th
Odds to win the league (via Oddschecker): 500-1
The plan
The unhelpful will-he-won’t-he saga has been resolved but for Southampton everything seemingly hinges now on how effectively they replace Danny Ings, sold little more than a week before an opening-day trip to Everton. A poor second half to last season, following premature chatter about qualifying for Europe after the team briefly topped the league, quickly turned to relegation concern and – given Ralph Hasenhüttl has stressed they cannot afford to head into this season so underpowered – whether Adam Armstrong and Armando Broja adequately fill the void left by their talisman will surely define their fate.
Aston Villa, whom the striker has joined, are adamant they can be stronger in the post-Grealish era and Southampton must reinvest the guaranteed £25m, add-ons could follow, to spruce up a thin squad exposed by injuries to key players last season, including Ings, Kyle Walker-Peters and Oriol Romeu. Signing a goalscorer is crucial – after Ings’s return to Southampton three years ago he scored 41 league goals in 91 games and finished the team’s top scorer in each season – and they may yet need to replace the defender Jannik Vestergaard, another player into the final year of his contract who is attracting interest.
There were magical moments last season – victory against Liverpool, a stirring comeback at home against Burnley and an efficient run to the semi-finals of the FA Cup – but one win in 11 matches after Christmas paved the way for a worrying finish. A safety-first approach is not Hasenhuttl’s style but too often Southampton have displayed a frailty that prevents them from killing off teams.
They are fuelled by their captain, James Ward-Prowse, a versatile midfielder with bottomless energy levels who did not miss a league minute last season and could count himself unfortunate not to rack up a few more with England at Euro 2020. His set pieces are always on the money but his work ethic coupled with his evolution into a more aggressive presence and an attacking threat under Hasenhüttl have made him an invaluable piece of the jigsaw, one they firmly intend to keep after rejecting a £25m bid from Villa.
Romain Perraud has been signed for £10m from Brest, where he played with the midfielder Ibrahima Diallo, and is a like-for-like replacement for the left-back Ryan Bertrand, whose seven-year stay had run its course. Southampton beat Brighton to the signing of the highly rated Chelsea full-back Tino Livramento, adding depth to a key area, and Saints regard his arrival a significant coup. The loan arrival of Broja, another teenage Chelsea prospect, who spent last season at Vitesse, will supplement their attack.
Theo Walcott has returned on a permanent deal but the fringes of the squad still feel stale despite the club offloading the high-earners Mario Lemina and Wesley Hoedt, taking a significant hit on both, as well as the third-choice goalkeeper Angus Gunn. Meanwhile the centre-back Dynel Simeu has re-signed from Chelsea, joining the club’s B team after rejecting a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
Southampton have some talented individuals but, as they were reminded last season, it is a squad game. Diallo impressed in midfield and will get more opportunities this campaign, and there is more to come from Moussa Djenepo, whose progress has been stop-start through injury, with Hasenhüttl suggesting the Mali winger could operate from left-back. There are high hopes for Nathan Tella – Hasenhüttl said the aim for the academy must be to feed the first team with at least one breakout player each season – and Mohamed Elyounoussi will be given a chance to stake his claim after returning from a fruitful loan at Celtic.
Another conundrum for Hasenhüttl is whether to hand Alex McCarthy or Fraser Forster the No 1 jersey. Southampton are keen to strengthen the spine, with a centre-back and a No 6 high on the manager’s wishlist. Only the relegated West Brom conceded more top-flight goals last season and Hasenhüttl knows they must improve the goals-against column if they are to be taken seriously. “The way we defended in and around our box is far away from a top Premier League club,” he said in May. “If we don’t change this in the future, we will always struggle when we want to speak about the top-10 positions.”
The manager
A navy waistcoat, a white mandarin-collar shirt and blue chequered tartan trousers seemingly fit with a wallet chain that would look at home in Ian Poulter’s wardrobe. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s eccentric get-up for Southampton’s first pre-season friendly was indicative of his exuberant touchline persona. The Austrian, who signed a new four-year contract last summer, is a demanding coach and his fingerprints are all over this high-pressing Southampton team. He guided RB Leipzig into the Champions League but erratic streaks have prevented him from returning Saints to the Europa League. He enjoys playing the piano – and has been known to do a rendition of Elton John or Queen on away trips – and is fond of the odd analogy, too. “I hope Che Adams is like a ketchup bottle,” he said of the striker finding the golden touch in front of goal. “Nothing at first and then a load at once.”
Key player
The softly spoken Stuart Armstrong is an unsung performer and his creativity will be key if Southampton are to prosper after the sale of the talisman Danny Ings. The 29-year-old Armstrong joined from Celtic three years ago, when Mark Hughes was in charge, but now embodies everything about Hasenhüttl’s side. He is graceful in possession but a selfless operator, whether hurtling towards goal or extinguishing danger. He did not have an agent until the age of 21, steers clear of social media and before breaking through at Dundee United he enrolled on an Open University law degree.
The owner
Gao Jisheng has been a near-invisible presence since purchasing an 80% share of the club four years ago and such an image has hardly helped to woo supporters. Gao believes self-sufficiency is king and has cut his cloth accordingly, making funds available if players are sold. Gao, a real-estate magnate, has detailed his London-based daughter, Nelly, and Martin Semmens, the chief executive, to run the club day to day. Southampton are never too far away from takeover whispers, with Gao thought to be open to selling. Saints denounced plans for a European Super League with a pithy statement but Hasenhüttl arguably put it best. “Nobody wants it,” he said.
Euros factor
The towering frame of Vestergaard impressed as Denmark reached the semi-finals, where they lost against England at Wembley. Stuart Armstrong and the Leicester-born Adams, given the moniker “McAdams” by his teammates, were part of the Scotland squad unable to advance from Group D. James Ward-Prowse was a surprise omission from England’s 26-man squad having impressed Gareth Southgate, but he stayed put to feature in both friendlies on the eve of the tournament. A true modern professional.
We’ll be singing
“Oh When the Saints Go Marching In” is the most familiar refrain heard in the stands but the academy graduate and now captain James Ward-Prowse – “he’s one of our own” – and the combative midfielder Oriol Romeu are at the heart of supporter chants. Southampton laid on a resounding 3-0 win against Sheffield United for 2,000 supporters in December before restrictions tightened, and treated fans to a comfortable victory against Fulham in May.
Back to St Mary’s
The good For a modern-day bowl, the ground can whip up a decent atmosphere, particularly in the Northam Stand that houses away fans.
The bad The 15-minute walk from the rail station is not the most scenic and begins with an uphill climb.
The crest
From top to bottom, the halo above the ball is a reference to the club’s roots at St Mary’s Church, as is the nickname Saints, the red and white scarf a nod to the fans, the tree represents the nearby New Forest, with the water representing Southampton’s history as a port, from which the Mayflower and Titanic left for America. Below that is a Hampshire rose. In a 2018 April Fools’ gag the club replaced the ball with a “Saint” emoji.
Trending topics
“JWP should be in the England squad”
“Can we stop the incessant 9-0 chat?”
“The squad evidently needs more investment”
“Looks like we’re not missing Danny Ings much then”
The mascot
Sammy the Saint made a name for himself with some dad-dancing in 2012, performing a half-time rendition of Gangnam Style.
