Southampton

Les Reed: 'Southampton have best pool of midfielders in Premier League'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 11 July 2016

Southampton executive director of football Les Reed claims that his club boast the best midfield in the Premier League following the arrival of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Southampton executive director of football Les Reed has claimed that the club boasts the best array of midfield options in the Premier League.

The Saints have sold the likes of Victor Wanyama, Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle already this summer, but have brought in midfield replacements in the shape of Nathan Redmond and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

The latter joined on a five-year deal earlier today, and Reed believes that the team now has a "perfect blend" of players in the middle of the park.

"Pierre is an exciting young talent, who we are delighted to welcome to Southampton Football Club. At the age of just 20, he is already an established international player with Denmark and has gained significant and valuable experience while at Bayern Munich and in the Bundesliga," he said in a statement.

"Pierre boasts an impressive pedigree, as well as a great deal of potential, and it is testament to our reputation that he has chosen Southampton ahead of other suitors as the next step in his career. We believe the club will be an ideal place for Pierre to continue his progression and that he will be an excellent addition to our squad.

"We now have the perfect blend of positional strength, experience and dynamic youth in our midfield slots. There will be healthy competition, but also the required depth and robustness for our challenge in the Europa League. I believe as a group we probably have a choice from the best pool of midfield options in the Premier League."

Southampton will begin their 2016-17 campaign at home to Watford on August 13.