Southampton made 14 first-team signings in the summer as Russell Martin prepared his squad for life in the Premier League.
With so many signings, some are bound to take longer to adapt to life at Southampton; particularly those who have not played in England before.
The likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Adam Lallana and Charlie Taylor were all considered fairly safe bets given their vast experience of the Premier League, whilst the additions of EFL duo Nathan Wood and Ronnie Edwards showed Southampton continue to look to the future.
Russell Martin looks to have secured one of the bargains of the summer in Yukinari Sugawara, with the Japanese right-back taking the Premier League by storm since his £6 million arrival from AZ Alkmaar.
The only other player signed by Southampton this summer who has never played in England before is 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
- READ MORE: Who is Mateus Fernandes? The ‘complete’ £15m gem set to become Southampton’s 11th summer signing
Mateus Fernandes reveals what is helping him settle at Southampton
Southampton saw fit to pay Portuguese giants Sporting £15 million to sign Fernandes after impressing on loan at Estoril last season.
Having scored just ten minutes into his full debut against Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup last month, Fernandes has started each league game since and impressed with his energetic displays in the middle of the park.
It is a big change for a player so young to move country for the first time and Fernandes has now revealed how teammate Juan Larios has been key to helping him settle, saying: “At the moment, Juan Larios has helped me a lot.
“I understand that I need to learn more English. I can’t speak English very well. I can speak better Spanish. I’m now living with him and he has helped me a lot. He’s teaching me.”
Fernandes went on to explain how he us using American television to help him learn English adding: “I’m watching Prison Break again. It’s easier because I need to learn English. I’ve been watching it again to help my English.”
Fernandes looks set to be a feature of Southampton midfield
Learning the language will only help Fernandes as he can communicate better with his teammates on the pitch, as well as interact more socially as he adapts to his new surroundings.
Martin seems to have decided that Fernandes will be a starter as he has impressed despite the club’s poor start to the season.
The Saints boss has used a number of different combinations in midfield already this season but the trio of Flynn Downes, Lallana and Fernandes that played in the 1-1 draw against Ipswich looked to have the best balance yet.
Therefore, it would not be a surprise to see the same three players start in another huge match against Bournemouth on Monday night and Fernandes will be keen to get off the mark in the Premier League.