Why Saints need not worry about Chamberlain

Having one of your hottest prospects pinched by a top club is not the ideal start to a new season. However, Saints need not worry about the loss of Alex Chamberlain as their Championship season gets into full swing.

Chamberlain did not feature in Southampton's impressive 3-1 win over Leeds at the weekend. With a minimum of £12 million paid for the teenager, Southampton will think they have got a fantastic deal for a player who has played just one season in League One - and only a handful of goals to show for it.

Steve de Ridder looks like a natural replacement for Chamberlain. WIth experience of playing in the top Dutch Eredivisie, the Belguian winger is quick, scores goals and is a great crosser of the ball. Guly do Prado looked a little off the pace against Leeds on the wing, but de Ridder looked extremely comfortable against Torquay last night.

With a solid central midfield, de Ridder could be the missing piece for Southampton as Jason Puncheon looks set to make his inevitable departure from St Mary's. If some of the £12 million paid to Southampton for Chamberlain is used to bring in new faces, Nigel Atkins can build a solid squad to compete in the Championship.

There are still 45 games to play in the tough league season, so it is important not to get carried away. However, for the first time in a long while - Southampton appear to have some belief and a team spirit, which will be key in the tougher times this season.

Southampton 4-1 Torquay Utd (Carling Cup)

Nigel Atkins has a lot to be cheerful about.

Despite Torquay heralding from League Two, Southampton brushed aside the Seagulls with a polished performance from a strong team.

Steve de Ridder, making his first start for Saints - opened the scoring on 16 minutes. However, some lapse defending allowed Lee Mansell to level the scores moments after the visitors fell behind.

After a few nervy minutes, Southampton regained the lead with a textbook free kick from Rickie Lambert just before the half hour mark. The League Two outfit had chances in the second half to draw level once again, but Richard Chaplow put the result beyond doubt late on.

Jonathan Forte added a forth goal in injury time, striking on the rebound after Adam Lallana has struck the woodwork.

Although Torquay aren't the toughest opponents Southampton will face this season, Saints are playing with confidence and scoring goals.

Seven goals in their first two games by seven different scorers will give Atkins a lot to be hopeful about. Although teenage star Alex Chamberlain has finally left for Arsenal, Southampton are showing their team did not revolve around him.

Unlike the days of Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and even Matt Le Tissier, the current Saints team have several good players who have started the season full of confidence. With a long way still to go, things are starting to look up for Southampton - and with a potential £12 million to spend following Chamberlain's departure - there are high hopes for Nigel Atkin's side.

Saints sign winger De Ridder

Southampton have signed Belgian winger Steve De Ridder from Dutch side De Graafschap for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old can play on either flank and could be a fitting replacement, should Alex Chamberlain leave St Mary's. Although Chamberlain featured during the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup, the youngster made public his wish to leave the club. Chamberlain was fined two weeks wages for his comments, but this has only added to speculation he is to leave the club.

De Ridder scored 12 times for De Graafschap and bagged 22 goals during a loan spell at Belgian second tier side Hamme. He is quick, skillful and a great crosser of the ball.

The new signing said: "I have got a great first impression about this Club, I have already been treated so well since I arrived and it has given me a lot of confidence. I hope to pay that back on the field.

"As soon as I arrived here I was convinced that this was the right move, this is a big adventure for me and I am looking forward to it. The Chairman showed me a video all about the Club and I was sold straight away.

"I played with Jan-Paul Saeijs in Holland and he told me that when he was here it was the best time of his life, so I am curious about what is in store for me."

Check out some of De Ridder's fantastic goals below.