Even before Portugal’s triumph at last year’s Euros, centre back Jose Fonte had had an impressive season with Southampton as the Saints got the license to treat the rest of the league to a treat of attractive football in the top flight league in England and still manage to stay afloat far away from relegation, above the mid table as they battled Everton for the Europa League spot.
It was, however, his impressive displays for Fernando Santos’ side at the Euros that made big clubs sit up and take a long and hard look at him as he helped marshal the Portuguese defence to the title – in much the same way that Moussa Sissoko’s marauding energy made Pochettino take him from Newcastle United just weeks after the tournament.