Southampton have a track record of producing young stars who have been nurtured into their first team, and the Saints fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hoping for more of the same next season.

And to think of the team the south-coast side could have if it wasn’t for those meddling owners at Liverpool.

Year after year the club have their best players hooked from their grasp, but the Saints continue to march on.

Many punters here in the Tavern expect Mauricio Pelligrino’s side to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

The new man in charge replaced Claude Puel, despite the Frenchman leading Southampton to the EFL Cup final and an eighth-place finish in the Premier League.

Pellegrino, 45, will be expected to continue the tradition of blooding Southampton wonderkids into the first-team next season, so our landlord has pinpointed TWO wonderkids the Saints boss needs to utilise next season…

Sam Gallagher

The experience that the Englishman gained last year at Blackburn was invaluable and the 21- year-old will be raring to show his new boss what he can do.

Gallagher, who was loaned out to Rovers last season, netted 12 times during his time at Ewood Park.

Despite Rovers’ poor season that ultimately saw them relegated, he became a hit with the Rovers fans for his tireless performances.

The youngster has just put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal and will be anticipating a run in the Saints team next season.

Josh Sims

The youngster made his debut for the Saints last season, registering a man of the match performance after an assist for Charlie Austin’s early goal against Everton.

The 20-year-old was plucked by Southampton at the age of 15, and has 57 Premier League 2 appearances to his name.

Sims featured seven times for the Saints as a winger last season and will be looking to impress Pelligrino in pre-season.