Russell Martin could return to a tactic he first used in the 3-1 home win over Leeds United in the Championship last season if Southampton do not sign another striker this summer.
Southampton have just days until they kick off their Premier League return against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Russell Martin has overseen a busy summer in which he used Southampton’s seven pre-season friendlies to try new things as well as get his players ready for the new season.
The side that faced Getafe in the final friendly of the summer on Saturday is expected to very closely resemble the one that will start against Newcastle, but Martin will hope to add to his options before the end of the transfer window.
The Saints boss must prepare for every eventuality, though, with no guarantees over whether Southampton will be able to land their targets.
Russell Martin could use Carlos Alcaraz to address striker position
Ben Brereton Diaz has signed from Villarreal ahead of the new season and partnered Adam Armstrong as Southampton set up in a 3-5-2 in the 0-0 draw against Getafe.
Both Brereton Diaz and Armstrong like to operate from wide areas, which could leave Southampton without a central focal point.
If Southampton are unable to sign a player capable of performing that role, it could see Martin turn to Carlos Alcaraz to reprise a role he first deployed him in against Leeds United last September.
Southampton were on a run of four straight defeats when they welcomed a hotly-tipped Leeds to St Mary’s.
Martin sprung a surprise by using Alcaraz – usually a midfielder – in a false nine role, with Armstrong and Kamaldeen Sulemana flanking him on either side.
It worked a treat as Southampton put in one of their performances of the season and Alcaraz continued in the role for a few weeks before being replaced by Che Adams as Martin looked to utilise a more traditional centre-forward.
Martin has not forgotten Alcaraz as false nine option for Southampton
Alcaraz joined Juventus on loan in January in a surprise move after struggling to get back into the Saints side after Adams came into the side.
The 21-year-old struggled to make an impact in Italy and returned to Southampton this summer with uncertainty shrouding his future.
There has been talk of another loan exit, but currently Alcaraz is a Saint and he showed supporters what he can do as he was the standout performer in the 1-1 draw against Lazio last week before being sent off.
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Speaking on his striker options at the fan forum on Monday night, Martin showed he still considers Alcaraz as a false nine option, saying: “I think we’re really flexible in terms of formation and type of player we need in certain positions and I think that will change game to game.
“So, I don’t think we need a set type in that position.
“Che [Adams] ended up playing a lot of the season there, but actually we played Charly [Alcaraz] there as a false nine, we played Stuey [Stuart Armstrong] there as a false nine, Arma [Adam Armstrong] played there a bit, Sekou [Mara] had a spell in the team there.”
With his obvious ability combined with the freedom to drop into spaces and receive the ball, Alcaraz at false nine could be a very useful trick for Martin to have up his sleeve in the Premier League this season.