LOOKING back to the beginning of the season, one of the outstanding football items was the fact that Chelsea, one of our biggest clubs, had been taken over by an American gentleman, Todd Boehly.

It has now emerged that he has what is called a ‘multi-club ownership plan’. So, even though Chelsea is probably one of the biggest clubs in the world, it appears that he is looking to take on others. He has already been linked with buying up a club in Portugal.

So what this means for Chelsea could be they are only one of a group, which is set to bring money in for the owner and I would think the manager will be under more pressure than usual. It is interesting to see what progress is made now that the season is back up and running.

The first couple of games of course were last night. As I write, I do not know the scores, but Saints were one of the first four clubs out and about, playing at Aston Villa. We have not always been successful there, bearing in mind we lost 4-0 there last year. I’m sure Ralph would have been reminding players of that and telling them to get their own back, so fingers crossed things went a bit better this time around.

The games were of course the first in the Premier League since the Queen passed away and all matches this weekend will start with a minute’s silence and then the national anthem. Then, after 70 minutes, applause to remember the Queen’s 70-year reign. Flags in and around the ground will be at half mast, with tributes up on the screens.

There is often an idiot or two in some grounds during such moments of reflection, who have usually had a couple of hours at a local pub before having a drink, but I am sure total respect will be paid this week.

Looking at the league table, prior to last night’s games, the southern pair Saints and Bournemouth were more or less joined together in 12th and 13th, with seven points, which is I suppose okay at this stage. But the goals against column didn’t look too good, with Saints conceding 10 and Bournemouth 18 from their opening six matches.

But I am sure those areas will have been tightened on the training pitches since the last games.

New arrivals

An interesting point was made recently about the four youngsters who have arrived at Saints from Man City this summer. The club’s new head of senior recruitment, Joe Shields, worked with them previously.

I have always said dressing rooms are best when there are young legs and old heads. Ralph of course will have the problems of sorting out who goes where, but there will have been more than usual training sessions in the 13 days since the last league game, a 1-0 defeat Wolves.

Seagulls should swoop for Sean

Another thing I have noticed about the south coast is that Brighton have still got to announce their new manager after the departure of Graham Potter to Chelsea.

With due respects to Ralph and company, the only three names which I have seen mentioned so far are from other countries. I’m sure they will have lots of ability, but let’s hope other names on the shortlist will be British, especially after how well Potter did there.

It was also interesting watching the Champions League this week to see both Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers too have opted for managers from other countries, in Ange Postecoglou and Giovanni van Bronckhorst. You would never have thought of that at one time, but it shows the global appeal of the game right across British football.

One person in particular I would have thought would be a good option for Brighton, would be Sean Dyche, who himself is currently bookmakers’ favourite to become the new Bournemouth boss.

As I have mentioned many a time, he has proved his ability and in my opinion would be perfect for a club like Brighton, who have a lot of similarities with Sean’s previous place of Burnley. And he will be even more determined now to show they should not have parted company with him. So, good luck Sean.

Moments of reflection

There are two funerals coming up.

One which will attract the attention of the whole world, Her Majesty, which is on Monday.

And from a local football point of view, the funeral of David Armstrong, the Saints legend who sadly passed away recently, will take place in the next week or so.

I have spoken about them both recently and they will be very sadly missed. God bless them both.