Southampton will be looking to put the disappointment of the end of the 2025/26 season to bed this summer, as the dawn of a new campaign rises.
The Saints team remain on a 20-game unbeaten run in the Championship heading into a new campaign, but momentum isn’t likely to be a huge factor in continuing that.
Fourteen players were spotted on the club’s socials as the first batch of players arrived at Solent University for testing, with pre-season beginning later in the week.
Goalkeepers
Southampton shot-stoppers, who both spent respective periods as number ones at the club, Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu, were the two keepers in for their pre-season testing on day one.
While the Saints have signed goalkeepers George Long and Daniel Peretz, neither were in the building for the first day of pre-season testing.
The two goalkeepers who were in attendance are, in fact, the more likely to depart this summer.
Defenders
Five defenders were in on Monday’s first session, with club captain and vice-captains Jack Stephens and Taylor Harwood-Bellis there to set the example.
Full-backs James Bree and Ryan Manning were there too, as was centre-half Nathan Wood.
Southampton will be hoping to keep all five of these defenders this summer, who contributed to a solid backline in the second half of the season under Tonda Eckert.
Midfielders
Flynn Downes, Cam Bragg and Finn Azaz were the midfielders at Solent Uni for their testing, all players who played massive roles last season.
While Bragg has just made his breakthrough into first-team football, Flynn Downes and Finn Azaz are now household names and certs to perform at a top level in the second tier.
All three will be expected to remain at the club heading into next season.
Forwards
Up front is where Southampton may have to do the bulk of their business this summer.
Forward players Cameron Archer, Nick Oyekunle, Ben Brereton Diaz and Jay Robinson were all seen in for testing on day one of pre-season, all with futures potentially up in the air.
There was no sign of Damion Downs or Leo Scienza, one player whom the club will be happy to let go, and another they’ll be desperate to cling on to.
While that was just day one of Southampton’s pre-season new beginnings, players who did not feature will be sure to arrive soon.
For now, the players are just testing, but will be taking to the pitch and stepping up their efforts soon, with just over a week until their first match, against neighbours Eastleigh on July 18.
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