Can you carry on the great work of Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman? Take the reins out of the hands of Claude Puel on Football Manager 17 and prove your own credentials as the ideal successor at the Saints helm.

With Europa League football looming, squad depth is key. You must make sure that you can balance the strengths of the current Southampton squad with the impressive products of the youth academy. A club renowned for generating some of the world’s best young talents, Southampton have the facilities to nurture some future stars.

Should you wish to add to the talented youngsters already at your disposal, there are realms of realistic options out there on the latest instalment of the world’s favourite management simulator.

First season it might be challenging for your Saints side to be completely changed by investment. Devoid of the riches of some other Premier League clubs, you must be shrewd and these few youngsters could be viable options...

Hachim Mastour

Previously a teenage, viral sensation, Hachim Mastour is a more mature prospect on Football Manager now. His low work rate, as seems to be the issue with many youngsters, undermines his credentials slightly, however.

Able to be moulded into whatever forward player you desire for your attack, Mastour can slot in nicely as an enganche almost from the off.

Jordan Rossiter

Midfield options are not an initial problem as Southampton manager on Football Manager 2017, but Jordan Rossiter might be the perfect addition.

As a depth option, he can play anything from an attacking central midfield role to a crunching defensive midfield anchor man. His potential makes him a great acquisition, almost regardless of the price.

Rossiter can become one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders and could be ideal foil for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Andrea Pinamonti

Even as a 17-year-old at Internazionale, Pinamonti is showing the signs of a world class striker. Standout dribbling, finishing and first touch ratings, make the young Italian one of the game’s hottest prospects.

He might not be the immediate solution, but the Italian – should you be able to prise him away from the Serie A giants – will be ready to take a squad place by 2017/18.

Pol Lirola

Interest in Cedric Soares is common on FM17, meaning that you could be forced into a sale. Interest from bigger clubs will make it a challenge to retain Cedric and leaves you short at right-back, with Cuco Martina not up to standards as first choice.

Should you keep Cedric until the second summer, Lirola is a strong option. Perhaps best on a loan with a view to buy, or in a heavily structured deal, the Spanish full-back becomes a well rounded right-sided option.

Cristian Pavon

Although Southampton already have a fair amount of depth on the wings, Cristian Pavon is a must-sign.

Saints’ main formation is a narrow diamond, but it is probably best to return to something with a bit more width to get the most out of Sofiane Boufal and Nathan Redmond.

Pavon is ready to slot in as a rotation member of the squad right from the beginning of the save and becomes an extremely handy, versatile winger within a couple of seasons.