[ad_pod ]

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

Much has been made of mercurial talent Sofiane Boufal since he returned to the South Coast for the 2019/20 campaign.

After spending last season on loan at Celta Vigo, it looked as if the Morocco international wouldn’t be a part of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans but his dogged, determined work in pre-season has made the Austrian boss think again.

Nathan Redmond highlighted just what the skilful Boufal needs to do to get into Hasenhuttl’s good books when he told BBC Radio Solent that the former RB Leipzig manager wants ‘people who can run like a horse without the ball’.

Whilst you would typically expect flair players to not be the type to do such a task, one unique, eye-catching stat from the former Lille man’s performance against Fulham suggests that he can do what the manager wants him to do.

The forward – who registered more La Liga take-ons than Lionel Messi last term – completed a whopping 10 tackles against the Cottagers as the Saints progressed to the next round – where arch-rivals Portsmouth await – thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win.

Boufal’s 10 tackles were by far and away the most out of any player on the pitch at Craven Cottage on Tuesday, with right-back Cedric Soares completing the second most with four.

He seems determined to turn his Southampton career around and make his £16m transfer fee look like a snip, and so far, the African is doing extremely well in changing the preconceived minds of those who have doubted him.

Premier League sides can seldom carry passengers at this level, and whilst Boufal has all the flair, talent and ability in the world, you need the mindset to work for your teammates if you want to get anywhere in England’s top-flight – another talented Moroccan in Adel Taarabt knows that all too well.

[ad_pod ]