Lots of us like to play 5-a-side football in our spare time, but have you ever considered how the team you support would line-up if they were limited to five players?
Based on current form, and with a formation of one goalkeeper, one defender, two midfielders and one striker, we at Shoot thought it would be interesting to see who would make the grade for each Premier League outfit.
Here’s what we came up with for Southampton…
Goalkeeper:
Maarten Stekelenburg
You always want a strong, dependable keeper between the sticks, and Southampton’s first choice number 1 has certainly been that in the absence of the injured Fraser Forster.
The Dutch stopper has good distribution, agility and quick reflexes – ideal for the smaller-sized goals.
Defender:
Van Dijk has impressed following his summer move from Celtic.
Virgil van Dijk
In most 5-a-side teams you want a destroyer in defence that attackers can’t get past, and if you’re picking one from the Saints on current form, it would be their centre-back, Van Dijk.
The Dutchman is strong, would provide a big presence on the smaller pitch and has a rocket of a shot – useful for when things aren’t opening up in front of him.
Midfielders:
Sadio Mane
The Senegal international has shown his value to Ronald Koeman’s side ever since making the move to the south coast in the summer of 2014, and was an instant pick for our team.
Blessed with pace, and trickery that could get him out of the tightest of situations, he would be the creative force going forward.
Dusan Tadic
Tadic has provided a number of assists since joining the club in 2014.
Alongside Mane would be another creator in the form of the versatile Tadic, who is a box of tricks and turns in the Saints midfield.
The Serbia international has provided a number of assists since move to St Mary’s in the summer of 2014, and has scored a few as well.
Striker:
Graziano Pelle
The South Coast side’s talisman up to is strong when tussling with defenders and able to effectively hold the ball up for his team-mates.
The Italy international’s link-up play with Tadic and Mane, and his ability to put the ball in the net, would be key to this team’s success.
Who would be in yours?