Claude Puel is embarking on his first season in English football having taken over from Ronald Koeman at Southampton in the summer.

And, despite not winning any of his first four games in charge, he’ll be reasonably satisfied with how things have gone in his opening three months at St Mary’s.

His Saints side are 11th in the Premier League having won three and drawn five of their opening 12 games, and face Everton on Sunday looking to get back to winning ways after no win in their last four league matches.

However, Puel’s men are well placed to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League. They are second in Group K, and know victory over Hapoel Be’er Shava at St Mary’s in a few weeks’ time will secure their place in the knockout stages.

Nonetheless, their recent sticky patch has increased speculation about who Puel may look to sign in the January transfer window to keep Southampton competitive on domestic and European fronts this season.

Thus, here is the dream Saints midfield three, including one key January target…

CDM – Oriol Romeu

Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu has been outstanding since moving to Southampton from Chelsea last year.

There were a few question marks about the move given he was a surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, but it’s worth remembering that he moved to West London at the age of 19, and was always going to struggle to nail down a regular first team spot.

Nonetheless, loan spells at Valencia and Stuttgart have developed the 25-year-old into an excellent midfielder, and the Saints are reaping the rewards for his hard work.

Romeu has started all 12 of Southampton’s Premier League games this season, and he’s likely to be one of the main men in the Saints team for the remainder of the campaign.

CM – Steven Davis

Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League.

The 31-year-old may not get the clean sheets that Virgil van Dijk and co do or score and create the goals that Charlie Austin and Dusan Tadic do, but his efforts for the team make the above things more possible.

Incredible energy, brilliant with the ball at his feet, and a keen eye for a pass, Davis is an integral part of the Southampton midfield, and will be for the rest of the season.

CM – Tiemoue Bakayoko

French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko has been attracting interest from Southampton and Manchester United in recent months, and it seems that a deal could take place in January.

Don Balon have reported that Monaco are willing to let the 22-year-old leave the club, and it’s the Saints that should do all they can to bring him to St Mary’s.

The defensive midfielder would hugely complement Romeu in the middle of the park, as Bakayoko is extremely adept at sitting in front of the back four and breaking up play, but also launching attacks from the midfield.

Puel may face competition for the youngster from United, but if he can get a deal done for the Frenchman, Southampton’s midfield would be significantly strengthened.