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Southampton: Gabbiadini gives Pellegrino a selection headache

By Jasper Shiner

NAPLES, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 24: Napolis player Manolo Gabbiadini scores the goal of 1-0 during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC ChievoVerona at Stadio San Paolo on September 24, 2016 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 24: Napolis player Manolo Gabbiadini scores the goal of 1-0 during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC ChievoVerona at Stadio San Paolo on September 24, 2016 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) /
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Manolo Gabbiadini’s last minute equaliser against Burnley has given Mauricio Pellegrino a bit of a selection headache ahead for this weekends home tie against a struggling Stoke side.

The Argentine has been loyal to a 4-2-3-1 system and one striker for the majority of the campaign, using three centre halves on only a number of occasions.

However, at Turf Moor, staring defeat in the face, Pellegrino opted to play both Guido Carillo and Manolo Gabbiadini together for the final ten minutes. Opting to divert from his favoured system. It turned out to be a crucial decision as both played a part in the equaliser, Carillo heading down Josh Sims lofted cross for Gabbiadni to swivel and volley home.

Many fans have been calling for the use of more than one striker for some time as Saints’ strikers are often cut adrift and isolated from their midfield counterparts. Pellegrino has insisted that it isn’t necessarily about having multiple forwards but getting the attacking midfielders closer to them.

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BURNLEY, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on February 24, 2018 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on February 24, 2018 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /

Manolo Gabbiadini has never been an out and out striker, in fact in his time with Napoli and the Italian national side he has played mainly in a support role, operating either in behind, or wide of a central striker.

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With the Saints having issues at number ten it is surprising that Gabbiadini has not been used in this manner by Pellegrino, instead he has been marginalised to a seat on the Saints bench and minimal game time.

Gabbiadini undoubtedly has great attacking quality in front of goal, the teams main struggle has been creating and scoring goals.

It seems odd then that a player with an eye for goal and such clever movement has been so sparingly used.

Gabbiadini has been unable to have an effect on games as a sole striker, it makes sense then that bringing him into the side in a support striker role may bridge the weak link between Saints midfield and attack.