Southampton Premier League 2015-16 preview: Ronald Koeman set to replicate success after latest rebuild

Last season

Premier League: 7th

FA Cup: Fourth round

League Cup: Quarter-final

Top scorer: Graziano Pelle (16)

Summer's work

Southampton have once again been forced to conduct a summer overhaul after a number of first teamers moved to Premier League rivals. Morgan Schneiderlin, Nathaniel Clyne and Toby Alderweireld have followed in last summer's footsteps of Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert and Calum Chambers to join clubs with their eye on a Champions League place.

Jack Stephens and Sam Gallagher have been loaned to Middlesbrough and MK Dons respectively, while Artur Boruc, Jos Hooiveld, Cody Cropper, Omar Rowe, Jake Sinclair and Dani Osvaldo all left the club.

Ronald Koeman proved to have a clinical eye last season to fill the voids left by their biggest stars with the additions of the likes of Dusan Tadic, Graziano Pelle and Ryan Bertrand. The manager now hopes to have the same luck with the arrivals of Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Spanish international striker Juanmi (Malaga), Cuco Martina (Twente), right-back Cedric Soares (Sporting lisbon), Steven Caulker (on loan from QPR) and Fulham loanee Maarten Stekelenburg.

Manager – Ronald Koeman

Following an exodus of big players some tipped Southampton for the relegation last season, and nobody believed a new manager could improve on Mauricio Pochettino's impressive job. However, the Dutch boss used his vast experience around Europe (Holland, Portugal and La Liga) to lead his side to the Europa League after recording their best-ever points tally and their highest-ever position in the Premier League.

Key player – Jordy Clasie

Schneiderlin's replacement, Clasie will be under the microscope from the office – especially after Koeman agreed to pay £8m ($12.5m) to secure his services.

The 24-year-old Netherlands international played under Louis van Gaal during the 2014 World Cup and, after garnering a big reputation in the Eredivisie, he looks more than ready to prove his worth in the Premier League.

Expectations

A lot will depend on how well new signings adapt. It will not be easy to replicate the success of last season but having kept Jose Fonte as their defensive helmsman, as well as other important cast members like Victor Wanyama, Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle, there is good reason to believe Koeman can do it again.

IBT Prediction – 7^th

If Clasie manages to make the impact expected Southampton should be in the top ten – and could even replicate last season's impressive campaign.