The Transfer Window so Far – Southampton

What they needed?

In football, months can seem like eternities – such as is the case with the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton. When the Argentine was appointed following the undoubtedly harsh sacking of Nigel Adkins there was uproar in the English game, yet several months later those disgruntled feelings are a very distant memory.

Pochettino took the Saints to a level above where they had been playing under Adkins, bringing a real continental style to the South Coast and in the process guiding the club to an impressive finish of 14^th.

Having got the side playing some of the most attractive football in the league, Pochettino’s next mission is to surely add a greater defensive stability to the squad. Too often last season Southampton had the better of games yet due to their defensive frailties conceded soft goals that cost them points. As good as they were going forward there was often a vast gap between attack and defence – highlighting the need for a holding player of quality to provide much needed support to the back line and really strike home Pochetino’s pressing philosophies.

Adding steal to the side was undoubtedly at the top of the list, however there will be many who would suggest that Southampton require a new goalkeeper. Last term the number one jersey was shared around between Artur Boruc and Kelvin Davis – with neither looking completely composed between the sticks.

What they have got so far?

The signing of Victor Wanyama should prove exactly what Southampton were lacking in their midfield last term. The powerful Kenyan will add much needed power and physicality to what was a light weight Saints side last term – further to that it should not be overlooked that Wanyama also has a terrific passing ability. This is a player who not so long ago was being linked with Manchester United after a tremendous couple of performances against Barcelona in the Champions League, at 21 he should only continue to improve – making this a real coup. Further to this there is plenty of thought behind spending such a significant amount on a defensive midfielder – given that Wanyama should fit in perfectly with Pochettino’s style of play.

 Wanyama has been joined at St Mary’s by fellow big money signing Dejan Lovren. The Croatian international has arrived from cash strapped Lyon, with the hope that he can bring to the back four the kind of quality that the team possess going forward. That said whilst Lovren is undoubtedly a talented player his form for Lyon last season was inconsistent at best and the French side will be more than happy with the £8 million fee that they received for the player. Of course should Lovren hit the ground running then there will be little made of that fee and there is plenty to suggest he will prove an astute signing and the experience he brings should only benefit the side. Nevertheless last terms form is a worry and adapting to a new league is tough enough when you are coming to a club on the top of your game – meaning this is a signing that has the potential to prove not quite the impressive capture it first appears.

What they still need?

As yet there is no real sign of any goal keeper arriving at the club and there will be several fans worried over whether they can scrape by with the three that they have – there is of course a month to go so it is not time to panic just yet.

For a club with such vast resources and one who are not shy of splashing them the Saints tend to keep their dealings fairly under wraps, meaning that the rumour does remain fairly quiet. Algerian Ryad Boudebouz is one of very few linked to the club of late, although there is little at this point to suggest that one is more than paper talk. Such is the clubs wealth that a few weeks back the highly rated Brazilian Leandro Damiao was also linked with a move to the club, again there is little concrete evidence to suggest this was an actual goer but it highlights just what a strong position the club are in financially.

Saints supporters have come to expect plenty of activity during the transfer window and whilst the signings of Lovren and Wanyama took their spending to over £20 million already, there will be an expectancy that a couple more will be joining them before the window closes. Pochettino will also be keen to add as he looks to further mould a Southampton side adapted to his way of tactical thinking. All in all Southampton fans have every reason to look at the rest of the window with a positive intent.