Southampton’s top 3 stars over the international break

Claude Puel will be reasonably happy with his first three months in English football, having taken over at Southampton in the summer.

The Frenchman replaced the Everton-bound Ronald Koeman in the off season and, although he didn’t win any of his first four league games, his Saints side have recovered to sit tenth in the Premier League after 11 matches.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

This is in part down to a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions, which included league wins over Swansea, Crystal Palace, and West Ham, as well as a Europa League success over Sparta Prague.

Although they have lost their last two league games against Chelsea and Hull, Puel’s side are well placed to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League following a sensational 2-1 win over Inter Milan a fortnight ago, a result that leaves them second in the group with just two games left.

Nevertheless, international football took over from domestic football this fortnight, and numerous Southampton players were called up to their national sides for important World Cup qualifiers, but who performed the best?

Here are THREE Southampton players that starred for their nation over this fortnight…