Saints Marching
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Saints Marching predictions: Southampton’s 2017/18 season

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Mauricio Pellegrino, manager of Southampton looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Southampton and FC Augsburg at St Mary's Stadium on August 2, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Mauricio Pellegrino, manager of Southampton looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Southampton and FC Augsburg at St Mary's Stadium on August 2, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /
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GOLDACH, SWITZERLAND – JULY 15: Philippe Koch from St. Gallen and Sofiane Boufal from FC Southampton in action during the pre-season friendly match between FC Southampton and St. Gallen at Sportanlage Kellen on July 15, 2017 in Goldach, Switzerland. (Photo by Simon Hausberger/Getty Images)
GOLDACH, SWITZERLAND – JULY 15: Philippe Koch from St. Gallen and Sofiane Boufal from FC Southampton in action during the pre-season friendly match between FC Southampton and St. Gallen at Sportanlage Kellen on July 15, 2017 in Goldach, Switzerland. (Photo by Simon Hausberger/Getty Images) /

Who will be this season’s surprise package?

Chris: Jack Stephens for me. Whether we replace van Dijk or let him rot, I think Stephens will have his first 30+ game season for us and will flourish. Hopefully he can toughen up in the air but either way I see a strong campaign for him that’ll be better than expected.

Conor: Hopefully, Sofiane Boufal. Has been written off by so many already, people aren’t into his flicks and tricks. I see it as an effort to entertain which is half of our grievance with Puel last year, lack of entertainment. Fingers crossed he can find some form this year and showcase his apparent capabilities.

Nikos: Jan Bednarek.  This is a tough one, as I have hopes for a few positive surprises this season. I’m going to go with Jan Bednarek because no one is expecting much, but I see the raw qualities of a very good central defender.

I’m not sure he’ll get in the team, but if he gets a decent run I think he could develop quickly.

Luke: Oriol Romeu.  He won’t surprise Saints fans who appreciate just how good he is, but in a side that will claim more headlines than they did under Claude Puel, Romeu’s hard work will not go unnoticed by the mainstream media. He will be compared to N’Golo Kante at Chelsea.

Dan: One name. Jack Stephens. The lad gets better and better during each game he plays and I can see him playing alongside another defender brought in by the club if van Dijk does get his wish to leave. He’ll play for the team and want to wear the shirt after signing as a youngster from Plymouth a couple of seasons ago.