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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Southampton winger Nathan Redmond may well be hoping to make his return from injury for the Premier League clash against Bournemouth later this month if Ralph Hasenhuttl’s comments are anything to go by, but he could well be on course for a different role against the Cherries.
On the chalkboard
The 25-year-old – who won the club’s Players’ and Fans’ Player of the Season award last term – suffered an ankle issue in last week’s victory against Fulham, which kept him on the sidelines against Manchester United.
Hasenhuttl said prior to the clash against the Red Devils that he could be out for three weeks, which could potentially see him line up against Eddie Howe’s men on September 20.
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There is another match between now and then against Sheffield United though, and the form of some players in particular could leave the Austrian manager with a decision to make on that Friday.
Redmond up top?
The England international has often played on the left during his career with the south coast outfit, but last season under Hasenhuttl he also sometimes occupied a more central role – whether it was as more of a No.10 or a centre-forward.
With little quality competition out wide in 2018/19 his place there was almost guaranteed, but it could be a different story if recent matches are anything to go by.
The returning Sofiane Boufal set Redmond up for his goal against Brighton and drew praise from his boss for his performance against United at the weekend, while Moussa Djenepo made an instant impact with a fine strike against the Seagulls.
Those two could easily be Saints’ wing options when they travel to Bramall Lane after the international break, and if they impress again they could hold on to their spots against Bournemouth the following week.
Given neither Danny Ings or Che Adams have looked particularly convincing so far this term with just one goal between them, it certainly isn’t out of the question that Redmond could end up playing alongside one of them instead of them partnering each other again.
Hasenhuttl has already said the former Norwich City man “can make the difference”, and playing him as a striker is the only way he would be able to accommodate the 25-year-old, Boufal and Djenepo in his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation.
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