Four Eredivisie players to help rebuild Southampton? |

Like his former club Feyenoord, this past summer has seen Ronald Koeman’s new club Southampton of the Premier League totally diminished. The Saints have seen Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren all depart to join Liverpool, Luke Shaw has left for Manchester United and today, Callum Chambers signing for Arsenal.

Koeman has been left with a lot of rebuilding at Southampton and obviously, the Dutch coach knows the Eredivisie very well. This transfer window has already seen him raid Feyenoord to take Italian striker Graziano Pellè to St. Marys and Dušan Tadić has been recruited from FC Twente. Anyone watching the Dutch top flight over the last two seasons has saw Pellè and Tadić emerge as two of the very best the league had to offer, so it would not surprise anyone if Koeman will return to the league to boost his first team options.

Today, Will Burns looks at four potential targets in the Eredivisie that Koeman may wish to take to Southampton.

JEFFREY GOUWELEEUW (Central Defender – AZ Alkmaar)

Gouweleeuw is a 23-year-old defender who has over 100 Eredivisie appearances under his belt after quickly progressing through the youth teams at Heerenveen. He secured a move to AZ Alkmaar last summer and has excelled as a classy performer. For a 6ft 1in defender, he has outstanding feet with great confidence and has no doubts about carrying the ball out of defence. His excellent pace who fit in lovely with Southampton, breaking on the attack if needed, whilst also covering his colleagues at the back.

KAMOHELO MOKOTJO (Central Midfielder – PEC Zwolle)

Ron Jans stated that Mokotjo was the “buy of the summer” last year when the South African arrived from Feyenoord on a free transfer. Indeed he was, after helping Zwolle to their first ever KNVB Beker cup final in their 104 year history, they defeated the mighty Ajax 5-1. The 23-year-old is a hard-working, Duracell-bunny like midfielder who gives his all for the team and could shine in the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.

JORDY CLASIE (Central Midfielder – Feyenoord)

Once nicknamed ‘the Dutch Xavi’, this 22-year-old midfielder has incredible vision and awareness, allowing him to play chess on the field and think of his next move. After making lots of interceptions, Clasie rarely loses possession and has the ability to control a match with his sharp passing. A tough-tackler that would add some meat to the Southampton midfield.

JEAN-PAUL BOËTIUS (Winger – Feyenoord)

Boëtius is a speed winger who combines pace with technique and creativity; he panics full-backs with his marauding runs. Game after game he is proving to be a rising star which in fairness, however, at 20 years old he possibly could do with another year at Feyenoord to gain more experience. Nevertheless, Koeman may decide his confidence and no fear approach may help out at Southampton this season. He combined tremendously last season with Graziano Pelle in Rotterdam, he could do the same in Southampton.