Southampton: Possible Premier League Title Contenders?
Southampton’s return to the Premier League in the 2012-2013 season saw them return to the top flight after seven years, and since their return, they have made a big impact on the way we see the top teams. The Saints’ 2012-2013 season proved to be a roller coaster, starting out rough but ending up getting huge results against Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
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In an effort to perform even better in the 2013-2014 season, the club broke their record transfer fee twice, signing Victor Wanyama from Celtic and then Daniel Osvaldo from Roma. They even added Dejan Lovren from Lyon to their squad before the window closed. The 2013-2014 season proved to be an absolutely brilliant one for the Saints. They drew Manchester United twice, beat Everton at home, and picked up a win at Anfield. Finishing in 8th, this team was looking to go places.
After manager Mauricio Pochettino left to manage Tottenham Hotspur, Ronald Koeman took the position and immediately seemed to sell almost every star on the roster. Luke Shaw to Manchester United, Callum Chambers to Arsenal, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert, and Adam Lallana to Liverpool. All of these stars were all sold and we were left wondering why Koeman and the Southampton board would sell some of their best players. At least he was well compensated, right?
Koeman stunned the league with his purchases at the beginning of the 2014-2015 season with names such as Dusan Tadic, Fraser Forster, Florin Gardos, Shane Long, Graziano Pelle, Sadio Mane, and even bringing in Chelsea loanee Ryan Bertrand on loan as well as Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld.
The Saints so far this season have picked up eight wins out of eleven, drawing one and losing two. This including an 8-0 stomping of Sunderland. They boast the Premier League’s best defensive record and have only give up five goals in the campaign so far, compared to 11 for Chelsea FC. Their growth under Koeman this season has been absolutely remarkable and the only question is if they can maintain their blistering start. Sitting in second place, Southampton look like real title contenders, and if not, top 4 at least.