Southampton: Carrillo needs to a proper number ten behind him

Southampton’s record signing is yet to get off the mark since joining the club, but is truly his fault?

It’s already been assessed as to whether the jury should be out for Carrillo after his goalless start to life on the south coast – since then he’s had another goalless appearance in red and white.

However his assist in the win over West Brom this past weekend – a slick breakaway including some nice passing between him and Dusan Tadic – showed the strength of his link-up play when working with those around him.

However, for the majority of Southampton’s victory over the Baggies, Carrillo remained isolated up front – Tadic and James Ward-Prowse will always come deep meaning when Pellegrino deploys either Davis or Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg ahead of two defensive midfielders the striker is instantly isolated.

This has been a season-long problem it should be added, and is perhaps the most obvious reason as to why Manolo Gabbiadini has failed to produce the goods this season. However Carrillo will always have a lot more critics.

Next: West Brom 1-2 Saints: Player ratings

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Guido Carrillo of Southampton during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on February 3, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

At the end of the day he is the Saints’ record signing at nearly £20 million, and he has now played around 300 minutes for Southampton without finding the back of the net.

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However as previously touched upon, Carrillo has been criminally isolated up front for the Saints and that was apparent in the game against West Brom.

Pellegrino’s insistence on defensive caution means he rarely gives an opportunity for someone to push forward behind the striker – this is seriously limiting Carrillo’s effectiveness up top.

Granted, the 26-year-old should’ve perhaps already opened his account considering the opposition the Saints have faced, but the point still stands at his criminal lack of support.

If the Argentinian is to start finding the back of the net for Southampton throughout this crucial period of games over the next month, it falls on Pellegrino to offer the former-Monaco man ample support with a proper number ten.

Playing either Redmond or Boufal and moving Tadic into the centre is an obvious option, especially considering the latter’s impressive chemistry with the Saints last true target man Graziano Pelle.

Alternatively Mario Lemina – arguably the most comfortable of Southampton’s midfielders when it comes to attacking – could be played further forward rather than Davis or Hojbjerg.

All that remains a certainty is that the responsibility falls on Pellegrino to do his striker and favour and offer him more support going forward.