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Southampton: Three things we might notice from Hasenhuttl’s 4-2-2-2 in 2019/20

By Marc Walker

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Ralph Hasenhuettl, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Everton FC at St Mary's Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Ralph Hasenhuettl, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Everton FC at St Mary's Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 09: Kyle Walkers-Peters of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 09: Kyle Walkers-Peters of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Redmond and Ward-Prowse to remain in a fluid partnership?

Hasenhuttl’s 4-2-2-2 includes two attacking-midfielders who roam between wide and narrow positions and sometimes switch flanks.

Nathan Redmond learnt this role expertly in the 3-4-2-1 used at the end of last season and it produced his best form.

Moussa Djenepo looks to also be a player who is also capable of playing in this way and the two of them switching sides and dragging defenders around could be a recipe for success; especially with two striker like Adams and Ings ahead of them.

Whether Djenepo will be a consistent starter from the off is another question and it would certainly be harsh to leave James Ward-Prowse out of the side given his form in 2018/19.

At Leipzig, Hasenhuttl used Emil Forsberg to roam in from the left like Redmond does, whilst Marcel Sabitzer was a more Ward-Prowse like presence.

For this reason, perhaps 2019/20 will be more about Djenepo proving himself from the bench and making an impact when the team needs it. He’s young at 21 and still has a lot of learning ahead of him.