Southampton’s lack of depth and quality within their attacking options was once again on display during the club’s 3-1 defeat against Manchester City at St Mary’s on Sunday, and manager Ralph Hasenhuttl should axe Mo Elyounoussi and Shane Long in January and bring Hannover 96 attacker Ihlas Bebou to the south coast outfit.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Hasenhuttl decided to rest his first-choice front three so far of Danny Ings, Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong for the visit of City at the weekend, with Charlie Austin and Elyounoussi coming into the starting XI.
It was quickly clear to see that the duo are not up to the standard of their aforementioned teammates and just in general, with the latter particularly disappointing on what was a rare opportunity to impress under the Austrian manager.
The 24-year-old was handed his first minutes since the 51-year-old replaced Mark Hughes, but he is failing to live up to the large price tag he commanded during the summer, while Long also failed to make an impact from the substitutes’ bench similarly to the clash against West Ham United just a few days previously.
Why sign Bebou?
Hasenhuttl was openly critical of Long following the defeat to the Irons as he believed his pace and speed could have hurt Manuel Pellegrini’s men, and it is clear to see it is a trait that the Austrian likes his attacking players to have.
Not only is Bebou considered to be one of the quickest players in the Bundesliga, but his versatility also means that he has played anywhere across the front three for strugglers Hannover 96 so far this term.
Only above bottom place on goal difference, the Togo international has been one of his club’s standout performers with three goals and three assists in 10 top-flight outings before he picked up an injury in mid-November, and while he hasn’t played since then he is now back in training and could well be picked up for a decent transfer fee.
Check out the video below for Emma Conybeare’s rundown of which clubs need what in the January transfer window…