Predicting Final Premier League 2017/18 Table After Transfer Deadline
13. Southampton
Southampton’s summer was dominated by the Virgil van Dijk saga. To their credit, the Saints finally stood up to Liverpool’s bullying and refused to sell.
Once reincorporated into the first team, the Dutchman will find a new centre-back partner in the form of compatriot Wesley Hoedt, one of only three buys by new manager Mauricio Pellegrino in the entire window. Midfielder Mario Lemina has punched his ticket to Liverpool in two years, joining from Juventus.
This is the first year in four when the Saints have not been raided for their best players, which suggests that they should be able to build on last season’s finish of eighth. But, with teams around them strengthening, they could fall backwards.