Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has stated that his current crop of  players are the strongest since he took charge.

Talking ahead of Saints visit to Swansea City this weekend, Koeman said: “I think at the moment this is the strongest squad from the beginning when I came to Southampton."

He added, “We have really strong competition.”

Koeman took over at Southampton in 2014 after Mauricio Pochettino left the south coast for Tottenham Hotspur.

A rebuilding job

As the Argentine manager departed for North London, he was followed out of the St Mary’s exit door by numerous key players in Luke Shaw, who went to Manchester United, as well as Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana who both joined Liverpool.

With the core of Southampton’s side leaving it was left to Koeman to rebuild the squad and continue to progress the club in the Premier League.

The Dutchman vastly overachieved in his debut season as he guided the club to their highest Premier League finish in 7th, with a host of new players settling well in their first season with the Saints.

Fraser Forster, Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle were just a handful of the players bought in by Koeman as he came to the club, all of which remain key figures of Southampton’s current squad.

Sadio Mane has been a key figure for Saints under Koeman (photo source: SaintsFC)

Team under constant threat

The Dutch manager has won many plaudits for the job he is doing, particularly his ability to rebuild a squad which is, in every transfer window, being targeted by bigger clubs who look to lure players with either Champions League football, or financial benefit.

The Saints have continued to progress under Koeman and are currently on track to surpass last seasons finish. After keeping five consecutive clean sheets the south coast club are looking to once again qualify for European football and are putting a considerable amount of pressure on West Ham in who are in 6th place, just two points ahead of Koeman’s side.

Saints go into the match in South Wales after beating West Ham, as well as recording an impressive victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, and a draw against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium.