Southampton's Nathan Tella on Everton Premier League opener

Tella, 22, will face stiff attacking competition from the signings of new on-loan Chelsea youngster Armando Broja and Blackburn Rovers hotshot Adam Armstrong.

Performances will be needed all over the pitch, though, with challenging opponents, on paper, in an opening run of five games that includes the Toffees, Manchester United and their rivals City.

Saints’ pre-season ended in defeat to Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao, although it was a rotated side that also saw Tella introduced from the bench himself, but had picked up three consecutive wins before that.

Read more

Alex McCarthy targeting top-half Premier League finish

Results Day: Assessing every Hasenhuttl Southampton signing

Southampton to face Newport County in Carabao Cup round two

Everton, who will now be managed by former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, suffered a resounding 4-0 defeat to the Red Devils to end their off-season proceedings.

For Tella, Saints’ goal is the same in the face of all opposition, telling the Daily Echo: “No, I think we all approach the game the same way we approach every game, and that’s we want to win every game.

“It’s good that were starting off with a good test because it will show how good a pre-season we’ve had. All the boys feel good, we are all going into the game with confidence.

“We’ve had very good results and performances in pre-season. And now we just have to take that into the first game of the season.”

Nathan Tella in pre-season action against Championship Swansea

He added: “It’s always good to pick up points early.

“I feel like as a team we’ve just got to know that if we do the right things, do the basics well, we will get the result – if we work hard off the ball and make the right decisions, that will all take care of itself on the day.”

Former Arsenal academy man Tella has made 19 appearances for Saints in the English top-flight, harbouring one goal that came in a match-winning performance against Fulham back in May.

However, having made his debut post-lockdown in June 2020, the attacker hasn’t ever really had the opportunity to play in front of a full crowd.

He will have to wait a further week before Saints welcome United to experience a capacity St Mary’s, but he’s already admitted to being excited about the prospect – calling the chances a “second debut.”

The 22-year-old netted his maiden Premier League goal against Fulham in May

He said: “That’s good, the majority of last season we played all the games without any crowd and now we’ve got crowds of some sorts, but even in pre-season it wasn’t maximum capacity.

“Now we’ve got full stadiums it will be nice to have that buzz again, it will be like a new debut making my first appearance again as I’ve never really played with 100% capacity.

“It will be good, I’m looking forward to it and I know the boys are as well.”

Saints kick off the season at Goodison Park on Saturday August 14, at 3pm.