Southampton forward Shane Long could be in danger of losing his place in the team if the club signs Milot Rashica from Werder Bremen this summer.

German outlet Weser Kurier reported earlier this year that Southampton are plotting a summer swoop for the forward, with his agent also recently claiming that he will be available for a fee in the region of £35m.

If Southampton did sign Rashica, for £35m or any potential fee, how could he fit in at St. Mary’s?

Southampton’s most-used formation in the Premier League has been the 4-2-2-2, or 4-4-2 depending on how you want to look at it. This means that Southampton have predominantly played with two wide players and two strikers – Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong out wide and Danny Ings paired with Shane Long up front.

Who could be sacrificed to make way for Rashica? Shane Long. Whilst he is currently a key member of the team woh works hard off the ball to help others perform, there is room for improvement in that position – with Long only registering two goals in the Premier League so far this year.

Rashica could come in and play in the attacking midfield/wide role out on the left – his main position for Werder Bremen – and allow Redmond to partner Ings up front. Redmond has the pace and movement in behind to do a similar job to Long, but in this position, he could be more of a threat – in terms of goals and assists – than the Irishman.

Rashica could be able to thrive out wide and deliver goals from the left wing position, with Ings and Redmond leading the line through the middle. One of Armstrong, Sofiane Boufal and Moussa Djenepo could then complete the attacking line up on the right side.

Would you drop Long for Rashica?

Yes

No