Jerome Sinclair makes the bench, but Isaac Success and Brice Dja Djedje are ruled out by foot and leg injuries respectively. Given that Fonte is already 32-years old and there are plenty young defenders available, the media probably linked him with a move only because the player himself is Portuguese. “Many clubs can be interested in high-quality players, that is normal”.
Advertisement
Claude Puel moves to the south coast after spending his entire career in France.
It is the start of new managerial eras at both Southampton and Watford as two sides growing increasingly used to the unceasing churn of the Premier League.
Deeney, the subject of a 25 million pound bid from champions Leicester City earlier in the summer, returned to Watford by signing a new five-year deal, while Ighalo will also return to lead the line at Vicarage Road.
Southampton manager Claude Puel: “I’m enjoying sitting down and working with this squad”.
“Southampton has a very good spirit and a very good attitude and this is very important for the future of Southampton”. “I think he is a very good striker because he can shoot, he can dribble and he can do different things like a very good striker”, Puel added. “It is always a special day”.
Replacing those three first-team players would have been enough of a challenge by itself, but throw a new manager into the equation and the challenge becomes even greater. “I just need to implement that into my game”.
“Watford, of course, is a good team and it’s the first game of the season”.
The Toffees had one of the leakiest defences in the Premier League last term, while Koeman’s former club Southampton had a solid defensive record with skipper Fonte a key member of the first-team XI.
The top two goalscorers for Southampton last season have both left the club this summer – Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane scored a combined 29 goals in 2015-16.
Advertisement
Watford medics have informed him to rest the injury in preparation for next Saturday’s league match with Chelsea at the Vic.
