da doce： It’s a big summer facing Southampton. New management in Claude Puel faces the tricky task of rebuilding the squad to his tasting, and producing a team that can not only compete in the league, but also in the domestic competitions and the Europa League too.
da jogodeouro： The Saints are heading into Europe for the first time and there is a real belief around St Mary’s that they can do well and progress through the early rounds at least.
But as aforementioned, one of the big tasks facing former Nice manager Claude Puel is building a squad that is his cup of tea, one that he can relate to and finding the big names he likes already ingrained in the Saints squad.
And as he came from France, he’s naturally expected to target this market at some point this summer.
So with that in mind, here’s FIVE Ligue 1 stars who would excel on the South Coast next season.
Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva was one of Ligue 1’s most fancied wingers coming towards the end of the French campaign last season.
He plays for big-spending Monaco and he weighed in with seven goals in 43 appearances last season to help his side to a 3rd placed finish.
He has not been heavily linked with a move away this summer and he could prove to add healthy competition on the wing at St Mary’s.
Alexandre Lacazette
Rather unlike Silva, Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette has been linked with a move to any number of Premier League sides this summer with Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham all thought to be tracking the striker.
But the one-club-man is yet to commit his future to anyone and he could be a real game-changer going forward for Southampton.
He’s quick, has a devilish eye for goal and has some fantastic skill in the locker too- he’d thrill the St Mary’s crowd for sure.
Djibril Sidibe
Another somewhat unknown name in the league, Djibril Sidibe has shone for LOSC Lille for the past few seasons, being their unsung hero from full-back.
He gets forward fantastically well and is extremely defensively sound at the same time too.
He’d also be one of the cheaper names on this list too.
Loic Perrin
Loic Perrin might have felt a little aggrieved to not be in the France squad for the Euros this summer but that’s not to say he doesn’t deserve a high-profile move to one of the Premier League’s up-and-coming sides.
He’s another one-club man- being at Saint-Ettiene for the entirety of his career and is so, so solid at the heart of the defence.
Ryad Boudebouz
Another tricky Ligue 1 winger, this Algerian plays for Montpellier and has been likened to his international team-mate Riyad Mahrez on many an occasion over the past few years.
Before the Leicester City man’s standout season this year, Boudebouz was actually seen as Algeria most important wide-man, where he provides an array of tricky, pace and skill.
Where would he fit in? Depending on Puel’s system of choice, he could come in as a like for like replacement for Sadio Mane.