Mauricio Pellegrino says his Southampton side cannot afford to focus on individuals when they travel to London to face Chelsea this weekend.
The Premier League champions could recall top scorer Alvaro Morata on Saturday, having missed their trip to Leicester through injury.
However, Pellegrino – who will be looking to see a reaction from his side’s midweek humiliation against former manager Claude Puel and his Leicester side – says that the Blues will be ‘really strong’ with or without the Spaniard.
Furthermore, after West Ham boss David Moyes said he would have to consider man marking Eden Hazard – such is his attacking prowess, the Saints manager insists that’s not the approach he’ll be taking.
“We don’t used to do something special when we play against important players, we try to defend him in zone,” Pellegrino said.
“If you do man to man marking this type of player can move in different places and will be difficult for us and we have to be really focussed and don’t have him receive too much where he is very dangerous.
“I think now the most important is we have to think about us first of all.
“This is the base to prepare well for this game.
“Obviously Morata has got some qualities that are different to the other strikers.
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“Sometimes they change 5-3-2 or 5-2-2-1. It depends the possibilities they have.
“With or without Morata they are really strong.”
Chelsea have won their last three meetings with the south coast side, however, this weekend’s visitors do have form in west London, having picked up a memorable draw and a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge in recent years.
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino says he will not be making any special plans to deal with Chelsea maestro Eden Hazard today.
Saints travel to Stamford Bridge having won only one of their last eight games and after being pummelled 4-1 by former boss Claude Puel’s Leicester in midweek.
Stopping Hazard has been the key to getting the better of the champions this season but Pellegrino said: “We don’t do something special when we play against important players.
“We try to defend him in zones.
“If you do man to man marking this type of player can move in different places and it will be difficult for us.
“We have to be really focused and don’t let him receive the ball too much where he is dangerous but the most important thing is to think about us first of all.
“Chelsea are a team that don’t need to dominate you too much to be dangerous because on the counter attack they have players who create.
“They have players who can run 30 or 40 metres with the ball, like Willian, Pedro, even the full backs and Morata.
“They are a side that is comfortable when they are deep in different situations.
“For us it is a good opportunity. The last few games against the biggest teams in the Premier League we have played well.”
Saints’ worrying run of form means they are only four points above the relegation zone.
With the trip to Chelsea followed by visits to Tottenham and Manchester United, Pellegrino knows his side could find themselves in the bottom three by the end of the festive period.
The Argentine added: “We are thinking about trying to improve this. Southampton last season finished six points above relegation and there are a big group of teams involved.
“It is very tight. You cannot be relaxed.”
“My pressure is intrinsic with my job. My job is to try to achieve good results and play good football.”
Pellegrino questioned the attitude of his players after their Leicester mauling and defender Maya Yoshida has warned his teammates they have to prove they are up for the fight.
Yoshida said: “I could not guess it would be like that before the game. It will be really difficult again, but we knew we have difficult fixtures in December.
“It is not about tactical or physical. It is more about mentality and basic things. We have to show our spirit.”
Arsenal are stewing over whether to rival Liverpool and Manchester City for Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk in January.
The highly-rated Dutchman almost moved to Anfield in the summer, only for the move to collapse when Saints reported the Reds for an alleged illegal approach.
City are known admirers of Van Dijk who is now back playing regularly for Mauricio Pellegrino following the uncertainty over his future at the start of the season.
According to The Times, Van Dijk would cost around £70million which would be a world-record fee for a defender.
Arsene Wenger is bracing himself for the biggest squad shake-up of his 21 year reign at Arsenal .
Arsenal face the prospect of losing Alexis Sanchez , Mesut Ozil , Jack Wilshere and club captain Per Mertesacker who are all out of contract at the end of the season.
Olivier Giroud could also go in the summer unless he gets more regular games while Everton are interested and have made an enquiry about Theo Walcott whose contract expires in 2019.
They also face dilemmas over Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck who are in the final two years of their contracts and Arsenal will be desperate not to face the prospect of losing more big names running down their deals.
Sanchez is certain to go with his contract expiring this summer and Paris Saint-Germain are likely to bid in January which may force Manchester City’s hand if they want him.
Arsenal may consider selling Sanchez rather than lose him for nothing after his drop in performances and even team mates worry his form has been affected by his uncertain future.
Manchester United and Barcelona are keen on Ozil who is a free agent this summer while Wilshere wants to stay but is desperate to play.
| Saints V Chelsea The Preview | This is not the game that Mauricio Pellegrino would want after the debacle against Leicester City, it could be the … 16-12-2017 |