PUEL’S NO GAB STOPPER Claude calls on his lethal Italian hit Man
That is why the Saints boss plans to unleash new Italian hitman Manolo Gabbiadini on Manchester United in today’s League Cup Final – at the expense of a hero who helped get them there.
To date, Gabbiadini, 25, has played no part in the run to Wembley, having arrived from Napoli AFTER Southampton upset Liverpool in the semi-finals over two legs.
Yet that will all change when Puel hands in his teamsheet for the south coast club’s first major final since finishing runners-up to Arsenal in the 2003 FA Cup Final.
As the Frenchman explained yesterday, showing loyalty to regulars is irrelevant compared with Southampton winning major silverware for the second time in their history.
Gabbiadini is in red-hot form right now after scoring three goals in his opening two Premier League games.
All of which means he is ahead of Shane Long and others when it comes to Puel’s pecking order up front.
The ex-Monaco and Nice coach, 55, said: “I don’t know how many of my players could possibly participate in the final – maybe 25. But I cannot play them all.
“It is only important to put in place the very best team to try and win this game.
“If Manolo has to play in the final because he is confident and he is scoring goals, then he must start.”
Such sentiments are totally understandable given Gabbiadini’s fine start to life in England.
Until the Italy international turned up on deadline day in a £15million deal, Saints were struggling to find the net.
And while Puel (right) is thrilled with Gabbiadini’s immediate impact on a previously blunt forward line, he argues that the rest of the squad should feel exactly the same.
The St Mary’s supremo said: “Manolo came and played the last two games and scored. This was a good reward for all the players.
“In so many games this season, we did a fantastic job with fantastic work – but without any reward. We lacked clinical finishing. That was difficult to accept.
“It was important for us to conquer the problem. So when a player like Gabbiadini arrives and starts to score, it gives confidence to the whole team – and to the other strikers.”
Masterminding the downfall of Jose Mourinho’s United today would seal a memorable debut campaign on these shores for Puel.
And victory will also guarantee Southampton another shot at the Europa League.
“We know we don’t have the same chance to finish as high in the league as other top teams like United,” admitted Puel, whose side have yet to concede in the EFL Cup.
“Our philosophy is different but we are also ambitious to play in more finals. This game gives us the possibility of winning a trophy after a long time without one.
“And it can get us back into Europe next season. That’s very important for the future of the club and development of our players.”