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Later today Claude Puel’s Southampton will travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
Related: WE ARE ALL SAINTS TODAY.
And not just because Southampton has given us some of our favorite people in recent years:
Vic:
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Bale:
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Poche:
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No, that’s not the only reason you love Southampton today. You love Southampton today because they are one of the only competent teams left on Chelsea’s Premier League schedule and are, therefore, one of the teams most likely to take points off the Blues.
So.... here are some of your new favorite people.
This is Manolo Gabbiadini. Today you adore him. He is one of your favorite humans:
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This is Nathan Redmond. Think of him as Good Andros Townsend. Like Andros, he is fast and can play on either wing. Unlike Andros, he does not confuse himself with Gareth Bale. You also love him. Just look at that great smile:
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This is Ryan Bertrand. He used to play for Chelsea and even started in the Champions League Match We Do Not Name. He now plays for Southampton and is the best English left back not named “Danny Rose.” Kyle Walker seems to like him. You love him too:
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Finally, this is Sammy Saint. In the annals of British football mascots he is no Cyril the Swan. But, today, he is your favorite mascot. (Sorry Chirpy.) Here he is with former Mauricio Pochettino favorite Jay Rodriguez helping raise awareness about bladder cancer. He’s a socially conscious mascot. What’s not to love?
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COME ON YOU SAINTS!
Links:
Newcastle is coming back to the Premier League y’all. I know you missed Mike Ashley.
Speaking of Newcastle, football in the northeast of England is in a bad spot these days.
Sevilla guru Monchi has joined up with Roma.
Ray Hudson celebrates Messi’s winner: “The Medicine Man arrives and sinks his flaming spear into the hearts of Real Madrid...Messi, born in the cross-fire hurricane and he is Jumping Jack Flash.” I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS.
Darlington Nagbe did a thing:
Just sit back, relax and enjoy this super strike from @darlingtonnagbe https://t.co/1s0b5JdyOE
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) April 22, 2017
Jose Gimenez is Diego Simeone’s Eric Dier.