#4 Southampton
In a league where each of the top six teams has a healthy global fanbase, it is almost impossible for any of them to be a neutral’s favourite. So, it is only natural that a club next to the top teams is universally appreciated.
In this case, it is Southampton Football Club in the Premier League. The Saints were relegated after 27 consecutive seasons in the first division in 2005 and returned to the Premier League in 2012.
Meanwhile, their academy was constantly at the forefront with Arsenal poaching Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tottenham snapping up Gareth Bale who went on to become one of the world’s best at Real Madrid.
Also Read – The Southampton Way: How the Saints keep on marching
Southampton’s nurturing of players coupled with an attractive style of play saw them win fans over, first under Mauricio Pochettino and later under Ronald Koeman. Departures do not affect the team’s performances as low-key players are brought in, who subsequently go on to make a name for themselves before fetching a good price a few seasons later. It is this football model that has not only made them self-sustainable in the money-rich league, but also made them a neutral team for fans to root for.
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