Southampton's best XI from the 10-year Premier League stint

The Saints have been relegated to the EFL Championship following a disappointing Premier League campaign

Over the course of more than a decade spent competing in the Premier League, Southampton Football Club have developed a number of players who are considered to be among the best in the sport. The following is a review of Southampton's greatest eleven players from their last ten years in the Premier League, based on the performances and statistics of those players.

Goalkeeper - Fraser Forster

Fraser Forster spent six seasons with Southampton after arriving from Scottish champions Celtic in 2014. The goalkeeper was a key figure for the Saints, appearing in over 100 games for the team. He was instrumental in the club reaching the EFL Cup final in 2017, where they were barely defeated by Manchester United.

Center Back - Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is one of the world's top defenders right now, and his tenure at Southampton was nothing short of spectacular. The Dutchman joined Southampton from Celtic in 2015, and he soon established himself as one of the league's top defenders. During his two seasons at Southampton, he helped the team finish in the top six of the league and reach the EFL Cup final.

Center Back - Toby Alderweireld

Toby Alderweireld is another Southampton defender who made an impression. The Belgian arrived at the club on loan from Atletico Madrid in 2014 and made an immediate impact. His defensive tandem with Jose Fonte was one of the most formidable in the league. Tottenham Hotspur signed Alderweireld on a permanent basis as a result of his performances.

Left Back - Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw is a product of Southampton's academy and made his debut for the club at the age of 16. The left-back quickly became a regular in the team and established himself as one of the most promising young players in the league. His performances earned him a big-money move to Manchester United in 2014, where he has gone on to establish himself as one of the best left-backs in the world.

Right Back - Kyle Walker-Peters

Kyle Walker-Peters joined Southampton on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in 2020, becoming a permanent fixture the following year. Since his arrival, the right-back has been an ever-present in the team and has established himself as one of the league's top full-backs. His attacking ability and defensive tenacity make him an invaluable member of the club.

Centre Midfield - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Southampton recruited Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Bayern Munich in 2016, and the midfielder rapidly established himself as an important member of the team. The performances of the Danish international won him the captain's armband, and he led the team with distinction. Hojbjerg's achievements earned him a high-paying contract with Tottenham Hotspur in 2020.

Centre Midfield - Dusan Tadic

Dusan Tadic joined Southampton from FC Twente in 2014, and the midfielder rapidly became a fan favorite at the club. His on-field performances were outstanding, and he was important in the club finishing in the top six in the league in the 2015/16 season. Tadic's inventiveness and eye for goal render him an invaluable member of the team.

Centre Midfield - James Ward-Prowse

James Ward-Prowse is a Southampton Academy product who has been a regular on the team since his debut in 2011. One of the midfielder's main assets is his set-piece ability, and he has scored several spectacular goals for the club. Ward-Prowse's performances with the England national team have won him recognition worldwide.

Left Wing - Adam Lallana

Adam Lallana was an important player for Southampton when they returned to the Premier League in 2012-13. The winger's performances earned him a big-money move to Liverpool in 2014, where he won the Champions League and the Premier League. Lallana's inventiveness, work rate, and technical skill made him an invaluable member of the Southampton squad.

Center Forward - Danny Ings

In 2018, Danny Ings moved permanently from Liverpool to Southampton after first moving there on loan. Since his arrival, the striker has been on fire, tallying 46 goals in 100 games for the team. With the England national team, Ings' contributions won him fame on a global scale, and he is still an important member of the Saints. However, he joined Aston Villa after 2 years and is currently playing for West Ham.

Right Wing - Sadio Mane

Red Bull Salzburg in Austria sold Sadio Mane to Southampton in 2014, and he rapidly made a name for himself as one of the best wingers in the league. The speed, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring instincts of the Senegalese international player made him a crucial member of the team. Mane's skills won him a lucrative transfer to Liverpool in 2016, where he established himself as one of the top players in the world until leaving the club in 2022 to join Bayern Munich.

The finest eleven players Southampton had throughout their first decade in the Premier League had a squad that was rich in both talent and quality. The squad features some of the most accomplished players in the league, such as Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane, and James Ward-Prowse, among others. The fact that the club has been able to generate and cultivate players of such high caliber over this time period is demonstrated by the team's success.