Southampton leading the race for Man Utd target Virgil van Dijk

Southampton and Everton both drew their opening weekend fixtures 2-2 in pulsating games but Southampton played quite well away from home against a rejuvenated Newcastle United side while Everton struggled at home against newly promoted Watford.

“I am happy with the players that we have”.

SOUTHAMPTON boss Ronald Koeman is continuing his search for a new centre-back but refused to comment on his club’s ongoing pursuit of Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk. “The team is more important than me”.

The Spaniard said: “The player is not for sale and that is the end of it”.

Meanwhile, Southampton are reportedly in talks with Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa in relation to a deal for influential defender Jose Fonte.

He spent on time on loan with Valencia and Stuttgart, before joining the Saints for a fee reported to be around £5m.

Watford exposed defensive vulnerabilities at Goodison Park last Saturday, with Phil Jagielka in particular looking shaky. He will be out for two or three weeks.

“If things could have gone wrong, they went wrong”.

Though they conceded two fairly soft goals last weekend and will obviously miss Baines’ presence, it is further forward whether the greater concerns lie, particularly when it comes to scoring the goals that can win matches.

“If you look at our history, it’s been a very tough place for us”. The former’s ankle has settled down over the week following Valon Behrami’s bad challenge and Martinez appeared quite positive on his chances of being involved this weekend, while Deulofeu resuming full training following a hamstring injury means he is in the frame.

His presence will aid an attacking threat led by Romelu Lukaku, but supported by the re-energised Ross Barkley, and with the additional option of Arouna Kone.

“It was already hard last year, and it’s still hard because first options in his positions are other players than Gaston is”.