A miserable 2022/23 Premier League season meant a rebuild was in order for Russell Martin at Southampton, but the new boss inspired the Saints back into the top flight at the first time of asking.

Martin’s young squad thrived in the second tier and, while they were only briefly part of a thrilling title race, a 1-0 win over Leeds United at Wembley meant they secured promotion via the play-offs.

The manager’s immense achievement with an inexperienced group of players shouldn’t be overlooked, but Martin certainly has his work cut out if he’s to retain the Saints’ Premier League status upon their return to the big time.

Here’s 90min’s season preview of Southampton’s 2024/25 campaign.

Ralph Hasenhuttl had worked wonders on the south coast to provide stability at St. Mary’s but his reign came to a sudden halt at the start of a dire 2022/23 campaign in which Southampton were comfortably the worst team in the Premier League.

However, a slick rebuilding job overseen by Martin saw the Saints enjoy a prosperous campaign in the tough Championship. They perhaps weren’t expected to earn promotion right away, but that’s exactly what they achieved.

A slog of a league campaign beckons, but perhaps the Saints could enjoy a cup run or two in 2024/25? They’ve reached the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and EFL Cup since 2021.

While Flynn Downes has retained the number four from his loan spell, centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis will don the six shirt having completed his permanent move to Southampton. The young defender wore 21 in the Championship last season.

Alex McCarthy remains the club’s number one and the veteran shot-stopper is set to play a big role for Martin at the start of the new season given Gavin Bazunu’s long-term absence.

*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window

In

The Saints have signed a couple of loan stars key to their promotion on permanent deals, including Harwood-Bellis and Downes from Man City and West Ham respectively. Brereton Diaz showed he was comfortable at this level with Sheffield United last season and will offer a dynamic attacking threat. Adam Lallana and Charlie Taylor are shrewd veteran additions.

Out

The club has parted ways with several members of the old guard that succumbed to the second tier two seasons ago. Not many supporters will be disappointed to see the backs of Lyanco, Romain Perraud and Duje Caleta-Car. Che Adams has got a gig at Torino following his release.

Home kit

Away kit

Third kit

Adam Armstrong is a proven goalscorer in the second tier. The diminutive but explosive forward scored 24 times in all competitions last season. However, he’s yet to prove himself in the Premier League and that should be of some concern for Martin.

Armstrong has just four Premier League goals to his name in 53 appearances. There has to be an improvement in 2024/25, but the Englishman won’t be setting the world alight.

With Che Adams out of the picture, new signing Ben Brereton Diaz could take the goalscoring mantle. The Chilean forward has also excelled in the EFL but did show for a woeful Sheffield United team last season he can produce at this level, scoring six Premier League goals in 14 games during the second half of 2023/24.

A powerful runner who’s proven to be efficient in front of goal over the years, Diaz is a strong candidate to top Southampton’s scoring charts.

This could be a long campaign for Southampton. The Saints continue to stockpile youth, but Martin currently has a squad which is not cut out for the rigours of the Premier League. What he does have is a bunch of very good Championship players.

That, unfortunately, isn’t going to cut it.

Should he continue with the possession-oriented ideals of 2023/24, Southampton will struggle to finish anywhere but at the foot of the table. It could get ugly.

Southampton 2024/25 Premier League prediction – 19th

READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP