A Southampton exodus: Not the sinking ship some might think

Players gone, manager gone and players possibly still going, things may currently look like a desperate sinking ship as all involved at St Mary's' future remains uncertain. Ronald Koeman installed at the helm of Southampton after the impressive Manuel Pochettino left for Tottenham, things will certainly be different next year for the saints. However, although the club seem to be going through a period of exodus, it may not all be bad. 

£4m for Rickie Lambert, £30m for Luke Shaw and £26m for Adam Lallana. On paper, Southampton have lost two key players and a huge talent in Shaw, but financially have gained £60m which they can choose to reinvest alongside their original transfer budget in new players or can spend in a different way, placing faith and giving a chance to the impressive youth system Southampton have in place.  

Ronald Koeman faces one of the toughest, yet exciting jobs in the English league. He will be tasked with a total rebuild of the team yet produce results for the expectant Southampton fans, who have seen their team steadily improve since their promotion with the ambition of next year bettering last year's impressive feats.   

What can the fans expect from Koeman? Firstly, change. That is expected with the players that are leaving and a new manager coming in. The Dutchman preferences youth and has developed players that now feature in the national side such as De Vrijj, Jordie Classie and Martins Indi from his time at Feyenoord. Koeman's preference to develop youth bodes well with the policies Southampton have in place and something that made Pochettino so successful during his time at the club. Under Koeman, Feyenoord's academy was voted the best in Holland, ahead of other famous footballing institutions such as Ajax and PSV. 

Ronald Koeman arrives at Southampton having previously
coached sides like Benfica, Ajax and PSV

A £60m transfer kitty in more than enough to bring in some real quality and possibly in the long term be a blessing in disguise for Southampton fans. The money generated from the sale of star players could propel the club into realms which where unimaginable to some a few years ago, European football or even silverware. Koeman won't hesitate to delver into transfer funds either if he sees fit and could bring in talent like John Guidetti, Graziano Pelle or Divock Origi. Southampton fans could be on the verge of the beginning of a heavy Dutch influence in terms of talent, something that will excite the fans. 

The sale of Rickie Lambert came to a surprise to many, but due to his 32 years of age was let go relatively cheap for a 20 goal-a-season striker. However, Southampton would have found it extremely hard to keep hold of the English international considering it was his boyhood club Liverpool that wanted him. Keeping Lambert against his will could have been damaging for the side. 

Interest in Lallana was expected this summer following his previous year, where form has seen him handed his England debut. Although, Southampton getting a fee of around £26m for the attacker is very good business, they are making a huge profit of the man they got from Bournemouth, who receive 25% of the sell on fee from Southampton. His ability does not reflect the valuation Liverpool have of him and with the money Lallana has generated, Southampton can easily replace him with a top player.  

Southampton's academy system has to applauded, as they have created the most expensive British teenager in Luke Shaw's sale to Manchester United for £30m. Southampton fans will initially feel disappointed at the sale of Shaw, but the club know that it would have been impossible in today's modern game to keep a talent like Shaw at St Mary's for the whole of his career. When a 18 year old makes such a impact like Shaw has done, Southampton would have found it increasingly difficult to knock back transfer fees like Manchester United offered. Southampton have done very well to get £30m for Luke Shaw and it is hard to think of many 18 year olds that are actually worth that, but if Shaw continues his rate of growth at United, there is no doubt in 10 years time he will have justified that fee.   

Lallana will look to build on a year that saw him
feature for England under Brendan Rogers at Liverpool.

Other key players may also leave the club, with transfer bids rumoured to be submitted for Morgan Schnederlin, Gaston Ramirez and Dejan Lovren. The later has reported to have handed in a transfer request, whereas a move abroad looks likely to Gaston Ramirez who has failed to adjust to English football. Koeman faces a struggle to hold onto players as more and more start to think the grass maybe greener elsewhere.  

Whatever the situation is at Southampton, fans must be understanding this is the biggest transition the club has gone under since returning the Premier League. The faithful of Southampton will have to go through the pain of witnessing former fan favourites representing the colours of Premier League rivals, but Koeman will remedy the situation with his £60m war chest. It is going to be a very busy transfer window at Southampton this year!