Five influential players in Southampton’s stunning start to the Premier League season

Southampton have gotten off to a brilliant start to the season and much of it has been attributed their manager, Mauricio Pochettino and his tactics. Whilst that is certainly true, some players have just stood out so far this season and helped them get off to their best ever start to a top-flight season. Let us take a look at the five players who have been influential in their stunning start so far.

5. Rickie Lambert

Many thought that the big money signing of Pablo Osvaldo will mean that the Englishman who has been with the Saints across all four decisions will become a bit-part player. But Rickie Lambert has shown just why he is one of the best English center forwards around. He has started all but one of their nine games so far this season and scoring three goals and racking up an assist in the process. Whilst he is yet to strike up a chord with his strike partner, he has certainly been a threat up front and will only be a matter of time, before a devastating duo emerges from St. Mary’s.

4. Morgan Schneiderlin

The unassuming Frenchman, has provided some much needed steel in midfield and along with Victor Wanyama, have provided a solid base for the rest of the attackers to go forward and do their bit, without worrying too much about being caught on the break. Schneiderlin is just picking up from where he left off last year, when he led the league in tackles won. His performances so far this year have earned him rave reviews and a possible call-up to the French national side shouldn’t be out of the question.

3. Adam Lallana

The 25-year-old Englishman has been a revelation so far this season with his sharp attacking play and his brilliant contribution on the defensive side as well. He has started all of Southampton’s games so far in the league and has already racked up two goals and two assists, a tally which is only going to increase, as the season progresses. His interceptions and his ability to press from the front, has been a major feature of Southampton’s play this season. His 81% pass percent is a testament to the fact that when he has the ball, he makes the best use of it.

2. Jose Fonte

The central defense pairing of Jose Fonte and Dejan Lovren has been one of the main reasons why Southampton have conceded just three goals all season and just one since the first of September and that too was against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The towering center half from Portugal has been a pillar of strength at the back, clearing anything that comes his way and winning 3.3 aerial duels each game. He also provides a goal threat from set pieces, which he ably demonstrated when he scored his only goal of the campaign so far against Sunderland in the second weekend, a game in which, he was the man-of-the-match as well.

1. Dejan Lovren

Arguably, the player of the season so far, for the Saints has been the Croatian center half signed from Lyon in the summer. Whilst there were doubts as to whether he will fit into this Saints side, he has gone about his work, like a duck to water and has quickly endeared himself to the St.Mary’s faithful. The Croatian’s ability to bring the ball out from the back and his ability to intercept attacks before they develop into a problem are two things that stand out about his play. On top of that, his contribution to the attack, which has seen score a goal and claim an assist so far this season, cannot be underestimated. All of which make him, arguably the signing of the season, but definitely Southampton’s best player so far.