Everton boss eyes up Saints stars

Ronald Koeman insists there is nothing stopping him from raiding former club Southampton in January, warning his former club he could make a move for several stars.

The Toffees manager spent two seasons in charge on the south coast before moving to Everton, where he has steered them to seventh in the Premier League so far.

Koeman was popular at Southampton, taking them to sixth and seventh-placed finishes in the Premier League before taking on the challenge of restoring Everton to their former glories.

And after a bright start their form has faded, with just one league win from their last seven.

And Koeman admits he could be tempted to spend big in the winter window, and Southampton’s players are not off limit.

“If we like to sign a player from Southampton for the future and if we think all the people in Everton that we need that player then we try to get the player in,” Koeman said.

Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images

“It’s no exception because it’s Southampton. It’s what we like to have and what we like to sign. If that’s a player of Southampton, then that’s a player of Southampton.”

Koeman says the pressure is more intense at Goodison Park and with games against Manchester United and Arsenal on the horizon, their form needs to improve quickly.

“It’s difficult to compare. Different situation, different club, different expectations,” he said.

“You see the difference between Everton because there’s more pressure, more critics than I ever had at Southampton.

“We had a bad run at Southampton and one time did not have a win for seven games and still everyone was happy and quiet. There’s a different expectation from the fans and people in the club.”