OptiNews - Friday 11 to Thursday 17 August 2017

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

Martin Tyler’s stats: Highest-scoring starts to a Premier League season

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Martin Tyler returns with the best stats and facts from the opening weekend of the campaign.

What is the most goals scored on the first weekend of a new season? How have champions fared at the start of their title defences? Was Alexandre Lacazette’s header against Leicester the earliest goal scored in the opening game of a Premier League campaign?

Read on for the answers and don’t forget to try to answer Martin’s tricky teaser…

Manchester United have now won more opening fixtures in the Premier League than any other club. They were level on 16 with Chelsea, but now have 17.

West Ham have lost more opening Premier League games than any other club (11).

Romelu Lukaku has now scored more Premier league goals against West Ham than any other club. He has eight against Sunderland, but now has nine against West Ham and he now has 11 goals in 13 games against them in all competitions.

Lukaku is the 18th player to score on a Premier League debut for Manchester United. The most recent players were Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Josh Harrop (in his first and last game for Manchester United… he has since left for Preston).

West Ham fans were not happy to see Martial come on. He has five in his last three appearances against West Ham - and six in six against them in all competitions. They are his most fruitful opponent!

Meanwhile, Paul Pogba has scored his third goal in four competitive games, but says he’s still not scoring enough!

In this opening week we have 27 different goalscorers, is it new record? @Chelsea26KSA

MARTIN SAYS: You’re right to say 27 different players scored in the Premier League. Jamie Vardy, Romelu Lukaku, Sam Vokes and Steve Mounie all notched doubles, while Joel Ward and Lewis Dunk found the back of their own nets for Crystal Palace and Brighton, respectively.

However, this weekend was six goals shy of the record for an opening matchday in the Premier League. There were 33 different goalscorers on the opening weekend of the 2003/04 season, netting 36 goals between them.

Alan Shearer, Andrew Cole and Ryan Giggs grabbed a double each for Newcastle, Fulham and Manchester United respectively, while the likes of Carlos Marinelli (Middlesbrough), Junichi Inamoto (Fulham) and Patrick Berger (Portsmouth) found their way on to the scoresheet.

At the other end of the scale, there have been two seasons where just 17 players found the back of the net on the opening weekend - 1998/99 and 2011/12.

Wimbledon’s Efan Ekoku was the only player to score more than one goal on the opening weekend in 1998/99 for Wimbledon, while Sergio Aguero was the only player to do it in 2011/12 on his debut for Man City. In 2011/12 there were two own goals among the 18 scored as well, as Danny Gabbidon (QPR) and Steven Reid (West Brom) both put past their own goalkeepers.

AskTyler there were 31 goals scored this weekend. Where does that rank in the highest number of goals scored on the opening weekend ever? Francis Moneva‏ @f_moneva

MARTIN SAYS: The opening round ended with 31 goals from its 10 games, which was the fourth highest-scoring weekend since the Premier League switched to its 20-team format in 1995.

The highest-scoring opening weekend was in 2003/04 when 36 goals flew in, while 2006/07 saw 33 and there were 32 in 2008/09. 34 goals were scored in the 1994/95 season’s opening round of matches, but that was when there were 11 games.

However, the lowest-scoring opening weekend to a Premier League campaign was in 1998/99 when there were just 18 goals in 10 games.

The 31st goal of the weekend was significant though. It took Manchester United to the top of the table, which was unfortunate for Huddersfield Town who were knocked off that position!

How many defending champions have lost their opening game? (Jack, Cardiff)

MARTIN SAYS: On Saturday, nine-man Chelsea became just the second champion to lose the opening fixture of their Premier League title defence after a shock 3-2 loss at home to Burnley.

The only other title winners to suffer such an ignominious start to a campaign were Leicester City, who lost 2-1 at Hull City the season before.

Otherwise, there have been 20 wins and four draws for champions since Leeds United kicked off the inaugural Premier League campaign by beating Wimbledon 2-1 at Elland Road in August 1992.

Man Utd, the most successful side of the Premier League era, have won 10 and drawn three of their openings games of a season after winning the league.

As well as Saturday’s defeat to Burnley, Chelsea have also won three and drawn one of the first matches of their Premier League title defences, while Arsenal have won all three of their season openers after winning the league.

Blackburn Rovers were also victorious when they began their Premier League campaign after winning the title in 1995, and Man City’s two Premier League wins (2012 and 2014) were followed by opening-day victories the next season.

The biggest win for a defending champion was Chelsea’s 6-0 victory over West Brom on August 14, 2010.

Was Alexandre Lacazette’s header against Leicester the earliest goal scored in a Premier League season? (Cathy, Bristol)

MARTIN SAYS: Alexandre Lacazette made a dream debut for Arsenal when scoring just 94 seconds into the opening game of the new Premier League season against Leicester City on Friday Night Football.

And according to our records, that’s the fastest goal ever scored at the start of a Premier League season.

Previously the record was held by Newcastle United’s Faustino Asprilla, who scored in 101 seconds against Sheffield Wednesday in 1997/98.

And before that, it was Kevin Campbell when he scored for Arsenal in 121 seconds on the opening day against Man City in 1994/95.

So it was a great start for Lacazette with only his second touch as a Premier League player. The first was the kick-off!

If you are using skysports.com you can comment below to ask Martin Tyler a question for next week’s column, but please adhere to our House Rules. If you wish to report any comment, simply click on the down arrow next to the offending comment and click ‘Report’.

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Virgil van Dijk is off to Liverpool, Southampton already have replacements - Brett Ormerod

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That’s according to ex-Saints star Brett Ormerod, who believes the Dutch defender will end up at Liverpool this summer despite the long-running transfer saga surrounding the 26-year-old. Liverpool have been trying to sign Van Dijk for several months but have so far been left frustrated in their attempts. A number of other clubs are keen but Ormerod only sees him moving to Anfield and is confident his exit would not be a nightmare for Mauricio Pellegrino. Ormerod told Bwin: "I think he’s off to Liverpool if I’m honest. "A player who is clearly upset and not giving his all for the club can have a detrimental effect on the squad and Southampton are a team that always have a great team spirit and bond.

“I think he’s off to Liverpool if I’m honest” "At some point, perhaps there is a temptation to cut their losses and take the substantial profit the move will generate. "There is always a player in Southampton’s academy/youth-set up that can replace their stars. They are one of the best clubs in the world to bring up their own players. “I think they have one or two targets to replace Van Dijk. I can’t think of another club that has lost some of their best players as often as the Saints but has continued to perform well – quite simply it’s one of the best run clubs in the Premier League.” Van Dijk, who has handed in a transfer request at St Mary’s, only signed a new long-term deal with Southampton last summer. Ormerod has hinted that players have too much power in terms of breaking their contracts but knows the lure from bigger clubs can be too hard to ignore.

He added: "You could say it’s the modern-day footballer now. He signed a new deal but, in some ways, contracts sometimes aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. "Unfortunately for Southampton, they’re often caught between a rock and a hard place as some of their players will want to make – as they’ll perceive it – a step up. "Van Dijk is on a fair amount of money and there’s no doubt the club will get a huge profit if they sell him and players often seem to get their own way now. "Perhaps there needs to be more of a balance between player and club power and the Bosman ruling has arguably put too much control in players’ hands. “He was happy to sign a contract and one would like to think that he would have wanted to see it out, but situations change in football and heads get turned.”

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New content from (- georgeweahscousin)

| 5 minutes with…. Kevin Davies Part 3 | Continuing from Parts 1 & 2…… After the big money move to Blackburn, was it a difficult decision to come back to … 15-08-2017 |

Older content…

| 5 minutes with…. Kevin Davies Part 22 days ago |
| 5 minutes with…. Kevin Davies Part 113 days ago |
| Inverta-brat. The van Dijk conundrum and other fairy tales.22 days ago |
| Big Summer Quiz – Answers – The 10’s2 months ago |
| Big Summer Quiz Category 11 – The 10’s2 months ago |
| Big Summer Quiz – Answers – Name Jumble2 months ago |
| Big Summer Quiz Category 10 – Name Jumble2 months ago |
| Big Summer Quiz – Answers – The 00’s2 months ago |
| Big Summer Quiz Category 9 – The 00’s2 months ago |

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 15/08/2017 18:24:52

| | More frustration for Liverpool FC over Virgil van DijkICNORTHWALES |
| | Southampton make offer for Hoedt?SPORTSMOLE |
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| Liverpool get Naby Keita price as Virgil van Dijk slips from viewFANSIDEDRUSHTHEKOP |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

It’s #WHUFC up next for #SaintsFC!

Take a look back at some our goals against the Hammers from recent seasons:

Retweets: 1

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Sourced from The Telegraph article

Chelsea target Cedric Soares as they aim to make three more signings this month

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Chelsea have turned their attentions to Southampton’s Cedric Soares as they attempt to sign at least three new players before the transfer window closes.

One of those is unlikely, still, to be Alex Sandro with Chelsea again rebuffed in their latest attempts to sign him from Juventus despite understanding that the Brazilian is keen on a move. Another bid is expected by Chelsea.

Cedric and Alex Sandro would add further options to the Chelsea squad in the wide positions and provide competition for Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso, and also to allow head coach Antonio Conte to switch formations.

Chelsea are not only interested in Cedric, though, for their right-flank with Serge Aurier having been told he is up for sale by Paris Saint-Germain and needing to make a fresh start to revitalise his career. An interest has also been registered in Valencia’s Joao Cancelo.

More ambitiously Chelsea are also still interested in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has gone into his final year of contract at Arsenal, but have been told, so far, that Arsene Wenger will not sell the England international.

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

St Mary’s to host Accessibility Open Day

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The event, which will take place at St Mary’s from 12pm-5pm on Tuesday 22nd August, is designed to introduce members of the public and Southampton supporters to the facilities and services we offer to disabled or elderly fans and the local community.

It will also provide an opportunity for local organisations to showcase their activities and services for disabled members of the community and their families.

In addition, the event provides a great platform for the SDSA to raise awareness and funds for their future work.

Entry is free of charge, and local disabled organisations are actively encouraged to attend as visitors along with individuals and families. Car parking is available for blue badger holders. There will be no charge for this, and it will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Attractions on the day include:

Francis Benali, Lawrie McMenemy, Nick Holmes, Reuben Agboola, Manny Andrusweski and Mark Dennis are all attending

Refreshments from a variety of local vendors

Live music from local bands and Saints Brass

A prize draw with the chance to win a range of prizes

The 1976 FA Cup and Hampshire Cup will be on show with the opportunity for photos to be taken with them

The SDSA is primarily a self-funding independent association for supporters of Southampton Football Club, but welcomes any supporter who wishes to join. The SDSA works tirelessly to improve the experience for Saints fans with disabilities.

For further information on the SDSA Open Day, please email contact@saintsdsa.org.uk or contact the club directly via supporterrelations@saintsfc.co.uk. For further information on the Saints Disabled Supporters Association visit www.saintsdsa.org.uk.

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 15/08/2017 19:25:08

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| Everton FC to buy house for young people at risk of homelessnessBIGISSUE |
| | Chelsea face Barcelona in battle for Southampton defenderCALCIOMERCATOCOM |

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Sourced from talkSPORT article

Transfer BOOST! Inter Milan cancel deal to sign Liverpool and Southampton target Emre Mor

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Liverpool and Southampton have been put on red alert after Inter Milan cancelled their move for Emre Mor.

The Italian club had been on the cusp of tying up a deal for the Borussia Dortmund winger after agreeing to take him on loan.

Inter were set to sign the Turkey international for the season at cost of £2m – before buying him permanently next summer.

However, according to SportItalia, that deal has now been binned due to excessive agent fees.

Inter were reportedly unhappy with the money needed to pay Mor’s representatives and they’ve pulled the plug.

That news will come as a huge boost to both Liverpool and Southampton, who have also been tracking the 20-year-old this summer.

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Sourced from talkSPORT article

Southampton FC news: Monaco eye Saints target Luciano Vietto as Kylian Mbappe replacement

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Monaco have joined Southampton in the race for Atletico Madrid striker Luciano Vietto.

The 23-year-old has been told by the Spanish club that he can leave this summer and sides from around Europe are interested.

Southampton are keen to take the Argentina attacker on loan, while he is also attracting the attention of Marseille, Sampdoria and Villarreal.

And now, according to Marca, Monaco have also thrown their hat into the ring to land Vietto.

The French champions could well be in the market for a new forward this summer as Kylian Mbappe looks set to leave.

The teenager is wanted by a whole host of clubs – although Paris Saint-Germain appear to be the frontrunners.

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool: Nathan Redmond wants defender to stay at Southampton

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Nathan Redmond has called for Virgil van Dijk to stat at Southampton

The Saints defender has handed a transfer request into the club and has been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea.

Van Dijk is currently training on his own away from his team-mates after demanding to leave.

“We don’t really discuss what is happening with him,” Redmond said on Sky Sports.

“If I talk to him it’s about how the family is, what did you do after training?

“Just normal stuff, normal changing room banter that goes on.

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Chelsea eye £15m Cedric Soares deal and at least two further signings before deadline day

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The Blues have spent upwards of £130m so far this summer but boss Antonio Conte has often lamented his side’s lack of signings. Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger have all made mega-money moves to west London but Conte wants more. Following on from their woeful 3-2 home defeat to Burnley on Saturday, The Telegraph report that Chelsea are now looking to complete a deal for Southampton star Soares. The Portugal international would provide Conte with proven Premier League quality and his versatility would be a useful option.

And it is said that the 25-year-old could be up for grabs for just £15m, far less than Chelsea’s other wing-back targets such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Serge Aurier or Joao Cancelo. The Telegraph add that Chelsea have been monitoring him for several months and believe he would be ‘an ideal addition’ to their ranks. It remains to be seen whether Southampton would be willing to hold negotiations especially given the ongoing doubts surrounding Virgil van Dijk. But Chelsea’s need for new signings will see them push hard to land Soares in the final few weeks of the transfer window.

Soares could be one of several late additions to Conte’s squad with The Telegraph saying the Italian wants at least three new faces by the end of August. A number of players are currently be considered with Alex Sandro, Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater all on their radar. It would appear unlikely that Chelsea will be able to get a deal over the line before their clash against Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday. But Conte and co are determined to pull off a string of quickfire deals before the transfer deadline.

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 15/08/2017 20:25:24

| | Liverpool news: Ormerod thinks van Dijk will join LiverpoolFOOTBALLINSIDER |
| | ‘I’m sure Van Dijk’s going to Liverpool’ Chelsea backed to miss out on defenderFOOTBALLLONDON |
| | Chelsea and Barcelona interested in Southampton defender101GREATGOALS |
| | ‘Klopp is not even a Pochettino’ - Spurs quotes of the dayFOOTBALLLONDON |
| | Lack of interest from Saints - WimmerCLUBCALL |

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Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants £15m fullback as competition for Victor Moses

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Antonio Conte has targeted £15million Southampton star Cedric in his bid to solve his problems at right-back.

The Champions want at least three more players before the window closes to increase the depth in their squad.

Conte has already been beaten to former Real Madrid right-back Danilo by Manchester City and has also had an interest in Valencia’s Joao Cancelo.

He is now understood, however, to be homing in on Cedric as competition for Victor Moses.

The 25-year-old Portuguese has two years left on his Southampton contract after joining the club from Sporting in 2015 for £4.7million.

Barcelona are also keen on the full-back who was part of Portugal’s Euro2016-winning squad.

Southampton are already battling to hold on to Virgil van Dijk following the Dutchman’s transfer request but Cedric would be interested in a move to Stamford Bridge.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Tickets are selling quickly for #SaintsFC’s clash with #WHUFC on Saturday. Secure your seat now: http://sfcne.ws/WH190817

Retweets: 0

Favourites: 4

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 15/08/2017 21:25:37

| | Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Virgil van Dijk and and Naby KeitaBLEACHERREPORT |
| | West Brom’s Nacer Chadli is available for £25 million, should Southampton make bold move?HEREISTHECITY |
| | Chelsea turn attention to Cedric SoaresREADCHELSEA |
| | Liverpool round-up: Southampton won’t sell Van Dijk; Keita could join next summer; winger set for loanTHEBOOTROOM |
| | Southampton should enter race to sign Leeds United’s Chris WoodHEREISTHECITY |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 15/08/2017 22:25:51

| | Rice savoured United challenge and looks ahead to Southampton next weekFOREVERWESTHAM |
| | Chelsea Boss Conte Identifies Cedric As Alternative To Victor Moses At Right BackOWNGOALNIGERIA |
| | Chelsea round-up: Van Dijk deal possible; move for another Southampton man; Atletico prepared to wait for CostaTHEBOOTROOM |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 16/08/2017 06:28:00

| | Chinese investor gets 80% stake in Southampton FC - China.org.cnCHINAORGCN |
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| Telegraph: Chelsea add Cedric Soares to transfer shortlistSBNATIONWEAINTGOTNOHISTORY |
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| Southampton’s Cedric wanted by ChelseaSBNATIONSTMARYSMUSINGS |
| | Chelsea set to launch bid for Cedric to fight off Barcelona - reportFOOTBALLLONDON |
| | Chelsea linked to £70m star, but Premier League rival bookies’ hot favouriteFOOTBALLFANCAST |
| | Chelsea could reportedly land full back target for just £13.6mTHESHEDENDER |

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Davis: Pellegrino has been a “breath of fresh air” for Saints

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MAURICIO Pellegrino has been a “breath of fresh air” since taking over at Saints.

That is the verdict of Steven Davis, who says the Saints team are “desperate” to impress the new St Mary’s chief as they prepare to welcome West Ham United on Saturday in the Premier League.

“He’s been great since he came in, like a breath of fresh air,” the Northern Ireland international said.

“I’ve enjoyed working under him. he’s obviously still trying to translate his ideas to the players on the pitch and hopefully as the season goes on we’ll get better and better and understand what he wants, but there were positive signs against Swansea.”

After an indifferent end to last season, with the team booed for their final performances at St Mary’s under Claude Puel, a fresh start under Pellegrino has lifted the squad.

“It’s a clean slate for everybody,” Davis explained. “Everyone has been desperate to impress in pre-season, you could see that, and obviously there’s good competition for places as well with the quality we’ve got in the squad. You’re going to have to put in a good performance to keep that shirt.”

Now the club captain wants Saints to build momentum in the Premier League, especially with Pellegrino’s men avoiding any of the big clubs in the opening weeks of the season.

Saints face West Ham next, before playing Huddersfield, Watford and Crystal Palace.

“You want to get points on the board as soon as possible and start off with the right momentum,” Davis said.

“There’s a lot of positive signs. The fans could see that. Everyone is leaving a little bit frustrated — apart from Swansea —but if we keep playing like that and keep doing the right things then we’ll win a lot of games.”

Saints have failed to score for a club-record six straight games at home, with sides often putting men behind the ball and going defensive.

Swansea were the latest side to do that on Saturday in the goalless draw.

“You take it as a compliment,” said Davis. “They respect the quality that we’ve got. Every team has got a different game plan and that might be different home and away.”

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Chinese takeover could be key to “next step” for Saints

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NATHAN Redmond believes the Chinese takeover by tycoon Jisheng Gao is key to taking Saints forward to the “next step”.

But while the 23-year-old views the fresh investment as a positive, the players have been initially told by the club’s hierarchy that they won’t feel the affects of Gao’s arrival immediately.

The 64-year-old businessman bought an 80 per cent stake of the club for around £210m on Monday afternoon.

“It shows the growth of the club, it’s fantastic,” said Redmond. "I’ve heard a lot about Markus Liebherr and his vision and the plan they had for the club from 2009.

“Although I’ve come in late to that, to see it happening, to see it manifest itself in the football and training ground is admirable.”

Carrying on and building on what the Liebherrs have constructed on and off the pitch will be vital for Gao, from Redmond’s point of view.

Markus Liebherr bought the club in 2009 and, after his death in 2010, his daughter, Katharina, inherited it and was owner as Saints completed back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.

She has since overseen years of progress, with the club securing four top eight finishes in the Premier League in a row.

Redmond trusts that Saints have now brought in someone in Gao who can continue this work.

“Southampton is not a club that would bring in the wrong people or bad people, on the pitch or off the pitch,” he said.

“They’re always looking to improve and get better and to take us forward to the next step will be key.”

The players were gathered at Staplewood to be briefed on the dawn of a new era at the club, which Redmond is adamant will not be a distraction as Mauricio Pellegrino’s men look to start their season on a positive note.

“They briefed us just beforehand - we were not oblivious to the news - they just said that it won’t affect us straight away and if there are any changes, we’ll be the first to know, as we should be as the players representing the club,” Redmond said.

The England international knows that, although there is a lot going on off field at St Mary’s, the players need to remain staunchly focused on a good start to the Premier League season.

“We’re staying out of it,” he added, referring to the takeover. "We aren’t on the training pitch discussing who they’re going to bring in or how much money they’re investing in to the club, or what’s going to happen.

"We go out there, enjoy the sessions and work hard each and every single day.

"We come in the changing room and have a laugh. It’s the last thing that comes up in conversation.

"It’s part of the club and if it affects the football the right people, Les ( vice chairman of football Les Reed) and Ralph (chairman Ralph Krueger), they’ll be the first one to inform us.

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