Southampton came within a whisker of losing their Premier League status this season following four successive top-eight finishes, and they will be determined to ensure that they don’t find themselves in another relegation battle next term.

Mark Hughes eventually rescued the south coast outfit after leading the club to eight points from a possible 15 available in their final five top flight fixtures, and it brought an end to a campaign that the board and the players will be keen to forget.

If the 55-year-old is given the job on a permanent basis – Saints fans on Twitter have revealed they would like to see another former boss return in the future – with his current short-term contract due to run out, he will be tasked with strengthening a squad that has seriously underachieved, as well as getting rid of some of the deadwood and the players that aren’t good enough that got them in the bad situation they found themselves in.

While fringe players like Sofiane Boufal and Manolo Gabbiadini look likely to go, there are a number of stars that have often been on the team-sheet in recent months that need to be moved on too if the club want to progress.

Here are three regular starters Southampton must sell this summer to avoid another relegation battle…

While the Dutchman showed that he was willing to put his body on the line for his team in the final few fixtures of the Premier League season, he often looked to be out of his depth throughout the campaign.

Big things were expected of the 24-year-old when he moved to St Mary’s from Lazio last summer, but the centre-back has largely failed to live up to those expectations.

Being too sloppy in possession, often being clumsy and not strong enough from an aerial point of view and bullied by some centre-backs, the below-par performances from the Netherlands international were one of the reasons why Southampton’s defence hasn’t been as strong as in previous years.

The 24-year-old was a regular alongside Hoedt at the heart of the defence in 2018 having found first-team opportunities harder to come by in the first-half of the season, following the return to action of Virgil van Dijk.

Like Hoedt, Stephens can be good on the ball and at bringing it out of defence, but he often struggles when he needs to do the basics at the back.

The centre-back has lost out against stronger centre-forwards and needs to toughen up in the future, while he is another that has been guilty of giving possession away too cheaply at times to put his team back under pressure, with his concentration another of his major weaknesses.

Neutral football fans may have been surprised to hear that Redmond’s goal against Everton earlier this month was his first in the Premier League this season, but it certainly didn’t come as a shock to Southampton supporters.

Despite generally being a regular in the starting XI, the 24-year-old only scored one goal and picked up three assists in 31 top flight appearances this term, and the south coast outfit need their attackers to be doing far better than that if they are to stay away from the bottom three next season.

While he has the pace to worry opponents, his lack of final product means that Saints should look to find an upgrade on him and move him on this summer.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.