Southampton: The 2 things that need to happen vs Everton as Djenepo returns

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Injury News series, which considers the impact of the latest updates on players’ fitness.

In his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed that Moussa Djenepo has returned from injury and is available for selection once again.

The eight-cap Mali international hasn’t started since the 1-0 win over Sheffield United on the 14th September, a game in which he scored the winner – his effort was later named as the Goal of the Month.

Djenepo – signed for £15m back in the summer – made his long-awaited return last time out against Manchester City, playing the final six minutes of the 2-1 defeat.

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With the former Standard Liege attacker – who has two league goals in four appearances this term – now fully fit again, here are two things that need to happen against Everton on Saturday.

Change the formation

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Against the Citizens last time out, Hasenhuttl adopted a heavily defensive 5-3-2 formation.

There was nothing wrong with doing that against the back-to-back Premier League champions, but against Everton – a side who are just three points above the Saints in 17th – Hasenhuttl must be more attacking.

In that respect, a switch to a 4-2-2-2 formation, or a 4-3-3 system, absolutely must happen – especially with such a potent attacker in Djenepo now back and ready to play.

Drop Jannik Vestergaard

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If Hasenhuttl is going to be more attacking, then he needs to drop a member of the back-five who started at the Etihad Stadium.

Jack Stephens has been performing well lately and was exceptional against City, whilst Jan Bednarek is one of the Saints’ better defenders, so £18m man Jannik Vestergaard should be the one to drop out to make way for Djenepo’s return to the XI.

The 6 foot 6 centre-back did make a game-high 18 clearances in what was a backs-to-the-wall showing against City, although with Everton being an easier opponent on paper, Hasenhuttl shouldn’t be setting his side up to simply clear everything that comes their way.