SEVILLA have demonstrated to Saints that taking the Europa League seriously can pay off big time – and the Spanish club’s model acts as further inspiration.

It’s been a tale of woe for English clubs in European competitions over the past couple of years.

But if Saints can embrace the Europa League - as Unai Emery’s side have done over the past three years - then there’s reason for excitement.

Sevilla recorded their third consecutive victory by disposing of Liverpool 3-1 in the final last week in what was their 14th final in ten years.

Saints’ path and Sevilla’s stories are not so different, and within some of the comparisons there’s plenty of food for thought.

The La Liga outfit went through relegation and headed for financial crisis in 2000, but bounced back.

Similarly, Saints have experienced the nightmare of administration, financial meltdown and, of course, relegation.

And more pertinently, Sevilla have sold their best players and kept pushing on to more success.

Sound familiar?

Saints have had to make do with losing their best talent over the past few years, but have nonetheless kept moving forward.

The same can be said for Sevilla who have had to sell youth products like Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, Manchester City’s Jesus Navas, Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno and more.

They were all sold on for profits, like Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Calum Chambers, Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were from Saints.

The list doesn’t end there with others such as former Arsenal man Julio Baptista and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic and Dani Alves moved on in the past injecting the Los Rojiblancos with more cash.

Saints have done the same with Morgan Schneiderlin, Nathaniel Clyne and Dejan Lovren.

After all of that, though, Sevilla have just won three Europa Leagues in a row.

Why? Because they have been able to continually recruit effectively, much like Saints have continued to do. 

Ronald Koeman’s recruitment so far at St Mary’s is an indication that even if players move on again this summer then, like Sevilla, there’s no reason to look at it in a pessimistic way.

Adding to that, the seventh-placed La Liga outfit have taken the Europa League immensely seriously and have reaped the rewards.

Undoubtedly, Saints will try and do the same as they go into the group stage next season.