Feyenoord vs Southampton: 2019/20 pre-season – Preview

Southampton play their penultimate pre-season friendly on Sunday afternoon when they visit Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord.

After two convincing wins over Preston North End and Guangzhou R&F in the past week and a 1-1 draw against SCR Altach, plans for the 2019/20 season are really starting to get put in place by Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl this summer.

The Austrian’s side have been in Ireland recently on a training camp and also won a behind-closed doors friendly against Brentford 3-0.

Sunday’s opponents in Feyenoord finished the 2018/19 season in third place in the Eredivisie and have had notable past links with Saints.

Former Saints boss Ronald Koeman managed the Rotterdam club before coming to St Mary’s in 2014, whilst he also purchased striker Graziano Pelle and midfielder Jordy Clasie from his previous group of players in the Netherlands.

In the 2015/16 pre-season – before Saints finished in a record high of sixth in the Premier League – they met Feyenoord at De Kuip and ran out 3-0 winners on an emotional afternoon for both Pelle and Clasie.

Talking Points

Saints have made two summer signings so far this season and Che Adams has made a good impact in his two appearances.

However, Moussa Djenepo could well play with his new Saints teammates for the first time this Sunday after signing from Standard Liege. He joined up with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men this week in Ireland.

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

Saints will likely have a few players playing against them for Feyenoord who have played in England before.

Their opponents this weekend have signed Liam Kelly from Reading and free agents Leroy Fer and Luciano Narsingh, who both left Swansea City at the end of last season.

Feyenoord squad

Goalkeepers: Kenneth Vermeer, Nick Marsman, Justin Bijlow, Elber Evora

Defenders: Bart Nieuwkoop, Sven van Beek, Jerry St. Juste, Ridgeciano Haps, Jan-Arie van der Heijden, Tyrell Malacia, Calvin Verdonk, Eric Botteghin, Lutsharel Geertruida, Ramon Hendriks, Denzel Hall

Midfielders: Liam Kelly, Yassin Ayoub, Leroy Fer, Renato Tapia, Orkun Kokcu, Jordy Wehrmann, Jens Toornstra, Wouter Burger, Emil Hansson, Achraf El Bouchataoui,

Forwards: Luciano Narsingh, Nicolai Jorgensen, Steven Berghuis, Sam Larsson, Luis Sinisterra, Dylan Vente, Cheick Toure, Crysencio Summerville, Marouan Azarkan, Naoufal Bannis

Southampton squad

Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn, Alex McCarthy, Fraser Forster, Harry Lewis

Defenders: Cedric Soares, Yan Valery, Maya Yoshida, Jan Bednarek, Jannik Vestergaard, Jack Stephens, Christoph Klarer, Wesley Hoedt, Ryan Bertrand, Jake Vokins

Midfielders: Mohamed Elyounoussi, Oriol Romeu, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Harrison Reed, James Ward-Prowse, Callum Slattery, Sofiane Boufal, Stuart Armstrong, Josh Sims

Forwards: Che Adams, Danny Ings, Shane Long, Michael Obafemi, Moussa Djenepo, Nathan Redmond