Following his wonder goal which gave Southampton a much-needed 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's last month, Sofiane Boufal was handed just his second Premier League start of the season against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.

The 24-year-old has struggled to make an impact for the south coast outfit ever since his move from Lille in the summer of 2016, but he would have been hoping for more first-team opportunities this term following an injury-hit campaign last time out.

However, the Morocco international has often started matches under Mauricio Pellegrino on the substitutes' bench, with the likes of Nathan Redmond, Dusan Tadic and Steven Davis preferred in the starting XI.

Impressive cameos against Stoke City, Newcastle United and the Baggies meant that he lined up on the left wing against the Seagulls last weekend, but given the qualities he has it perhaps isn't the position where he can be most effective for the goal-shy Saints.

Here are three reasons Boufal must play behind the striker and not out wide for Southampton in the future…

His goal against West Brom

While Boufal started out wide against Brighton with Dusan Tadic starting behind Manolo Gabbiadini, you only have to look at his wonder goal against West Brom to perhaps feel that he would be more effective playing through the centre.

While he has the trickery to cause opposition full-backs problems, his dribble through the middle of the pitch – where he beat a number of Baggies players before finishing well from the edge of the penalty area – last month suggest that he could have more of an impact there, and it would be much-needed for a Southampton side that are still struggling to find the back of the net.

The way he uses both feet

During that incredible dribble and finish against West Brom, Boufal showed how good he is with both feet and how quickly he can deceive defenders by feinting and shifting his weight from one side to the other.

That attribute was particularly effective against a usually strong Baggies backline, and it suggests that he could cause a lot of problems for centre-backs and defensive midfielders and perhaps also be the creative force that can finally supply a frustrated Gabbaidini up top – a role Riyad Mahrez shone in for Leicester City against Everton on Sunday.

Less defensive work

While Boufal has shown that he is perfectly able to help out defensively in his recent substitute appearances and against the Seagulls, he is certainly more of a player that you want to see with a free role in the final third.

The 24-year-old has shown in small bursts that he can dribble, create and score, and it is perhaps restricting his game if he has to try and constantly track his opposition full-back.

While you still have your defensive responsibilities in the middle of the park, he would be more able to support someone like Gabbiadini from that position.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.