Russell Martin will know he needs all of his Southampton players to be at their best if the club is to survive their first season back in the Premier League.
Having led Southampton to promotion from the Championship in his first season in charge, Russell Martin is preparing for his first taste of Premier League football as a manager.
That will come on Saturday, as Southampton face Newcastle United at St James’ Park in a 3pm BST kick-off.
Despite the fact that there have been eight first-team signings this summer, the side that is selected to start against Newcastle could only include two players who were not at the club last season.
Martin undoubtedly wants more arrivals – with attackers key to Southampton’s late-window recruitment – but he will place his faith in a number of the players that helped achieve promotion last season.
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Taylor Harwood-Bellis tipped to be Southampton ‘Breakout Star’
One of those players is Taylor Harwood-Bellis, the 22-year-old who spent last season on loan at Southampton before making the deal permanent this summer.
Having won the Championship whilst on loan at Burnley in the 2022/23 season, Harwood-Bellis was instrumental to Southampton earning promotion from the same division for Southampton last season.
The defender had more on the line than most, with his loan from Manchester City stipulating that Southampton were obligated to buy him for £20 million should they be promoted.
That is exactly what materialised, meaning Harwood-Bellis will now get his shot at the Premier League a year on from when he probably expected to.
Martin will know the talented youngster will again be key to his side this season and that has now been reinforced as The Guardian have tipped Harwood-Bellis as their ‘Breakout Star’ in their preview of Southampton’s Premier League season.
Guardian writer Will Unwin explained his choice, saying: “After back-to-back promotions to the Premier League with Burnley and Southampton Taylor Harwood-Bellis finally gets his chance in the top flight after completing a permanent move from Manchester City.
“He has gained plenty of experience in his 22 years and is seen by his teammates as mature beyond his age and a fine reader of the game.
“Being brought up at the Etihad was a fine grounding for the centre-back who is very comfortable in possession and keen to pass forward.
“Southampton have made a habit of signing City academy products, with Harwood-Bellis well acquainted with Gavin Bazunu, Sam Edozie, Shea Charles and Juan Larios.
“It is a youthful squad with some older heads meaning Harwood-Bellis, who is young but with plenty of games under his belt, could be crucial.”
Southampton predicted to suffer Premier League relegation
Despite tipping Harwood-Bellis to be ‘crucial’, The Guardian have predicted Southampton to finish bottom of the Premier League.
This will of course not be what Southampton fans will want to hear going into the season, but Martin will not be concerned at his side being written off this campaign.
Many will tip the Saints to be relegated this season, but this should only serve as fuel for the squad to prove everyone wrong whilst sticking to their possession-based principles.
Southampton have three league games to play prior to the first international break of the season – facing Newcastle, Brentford and Nottingham Forest – and they will be keen to get points on the board early to build confidence in their ability to avoid relegation.