Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger believes their squad is stronger when compared to last season.
Despite the high-profile departures of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers, Saints believe they have more than offset that with a significant reinvestment of about £60m.
That has seen them bring in Dusan Tadic, Graziano Pelle, Fraser Forster, Florin Gardos, Shane Long and Sadio Mane, not to mention loan deals for Ryan Bertrand and Toby Alderweireld, with options to buy both of those players existing.
"I think we are deeper than we were last season," said Krueger to the Daily Echo.
"There's tough decisions for the manager every day, which is what we wanted to create.
"Overall, I believe it has been a big success and now we need to prove it on the field."
He added: "There was a time in the summer where everybody would be thankful just for the team to be slightly competitive.
"I think we are more than slightly competitive now and we just have to stay patient."
