The Saints winger was signed by Mark Hughes last summer but has not yet scored for the Premier League club.
Southampton winger Mohamed Elyounoussi has not had the best of times at the Premier League club since his arrival from Swiss outfit Basel last summer.
The 24-year-old, a Norway international, was signed under Mark Hughes’s watch in July 2018 for a £16.2million fee, according to Transfermarkt.
Much was expected of Elyounoussi given his impressive tally with Basel – 23 goals and 30 assists in 84 games – and with Molde FK – 42 goals and eight assists in 92 games.
However, he is yet to find the net for the Saints or even provide an assist in 18 games this term, albeit with just 10 starts amid the club’s Premier League struggles and his own injury issues.
In an interview with Norwegian outlet Adresseavisen, Elyounoussi stressed that he is not looking to leave the south coast club and will instead fight to stake a first-team claim, pleading for more time.
“I choose to look at this as a challenge,” he said. “At some point I had to get a drop. I’ve never been injured earlier in my career, in Southampton I have experienced several injuries. But I have to try to find positive things every day, thinking that I can grow on the adversity, and fight my way back into the team. I’m quite honest when I say it’s like that.
“They see that I have skills and am important player for the club. But I need more time to develop and take the physical level required in the Premier League. (Leaving in the summer) is not a topic for me at all. I’ll stand here, I’ll show what I can do, I’ll turn this around.”
Here is how some Southampton fans reacted on Twitter to Elyounoussi’s comments, with reaction pretty much mixed between those hailing his drive and those who don’t think he should have more time:
Elyounoussi’s last start came back in January during the FA Cup third round replay against Derby County, which Saints lost on penalties after extra time.
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