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No more Cedric: Hasenhuttl’s failed experiment should prompt bold use of Saints 19 y/o – opinion

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It goes without saying that some aspects of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team selections lately have been quite strange.

The former RB Leipzig boss started Pierre-Emile Højbjerg at left-back in the recent 2-1 defeat to Manchester City – the Denmark international is a natural centre-midfielder.

More recently, Hasenhuttl decided to make even weirder use of his full-back positions by starting another natural midfielder in Stuart Armstrong at right wing-back against Everton, with Cedric Soares – a right-back by trade – wedged in at left wing-back.

Staying on the topic of the left-back role, Hasenhuttl dropped Ryan Bertrand earlier in the campaign for a game against Brighton. The former Chelsea man was injured, although the Austrian later revealed that he would’ve axed Bertrand anyway – this was the first sign that there may be an issue in that position.

But let’s get back to the last outing against Everton, and Cedric in particular.

The Portugal international – just days after giving an interview revealing his intention to leave – was substituted at half-time against the Toffees following an abject 45-minute display in which he did basically nothing.

WhoScored detail that a blocked shot, and him being dispossessed once, were the only notable contributions from the former Sporting Lisbon man.

So, what should Hasenhuttl do about the role?

Well, there is one player who these recent developments should pave the way for – Jake Vokins.

The 19-year-old recently made his senior debut for the Saints, coming on against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.

A diminutive left-back by trade, the teenager managed to score a goal against Preston in pre-season with an attacking burst reminiscent of a certain Luke Shaw – his small-but-stocky frame and lovely left-foot make him an ideal candidate for Hasenhuttl’s wing-back role.

Another feature of his game that makes him appear tailor-made to Hasenhuttl’s wing-back system is his versatility down the left flank, appearing at left-back, left-midfield and left-wing so far this term.

In eight Premier League 2 games for Southampton this term, Vokins has registered an impressive three assists, showcasing his desire to get up and down the left-flank and also his effective end product when he arrives in the final third.

Usually, it would be a bold call to throw a teenager into the mix during a relegation battle.

However, it is evident that Hasenhuttl doesn’t have a bona-fide option to start consistently at left-back – you could argue Bertrand’s case, although the aforementioned Brighton debacle suggests something is clearly up.

Undoubtedly, it would be a risk to throw him in.

But having said that, Vokins appears like the youthful injection that this morale-less Southampton side need.

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