Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl discusses Che Adams amid goalscoring struggles

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The Saints summer signing is yet to get off the mark in competitive action for the St Mary’s side.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has reiterated his support for Che Adams as the summer signing awaits his first competitive goal for the Saints, as reported by the Daily Echo.

The 24-year-old made the switch to St Mary’s Stadium from Championship side Birmingham City on a five-year-deal for a reported £15million fee after three years at St Andrew’s, where he scored 38 goals in 123 appearances (BBC Sport).

Adams, who has previously been compared to Ronaldo and Jermain Defoe by former teammates (The Guardian), had a bright pre-season in which he claimed three goals and three assists in four friendlies, but he is yet to get off the mark in the Premier League.

Nonetheless, Hasenhuttl is not concerned in the slightest, saying that his player is working hard in training and in games, and made it clear that he is “convinced” about the summer signing, backing him to come good.

“He is a little bit unlucky sometimes with his actions,” Hasenhuttl is quoted by the Daily Echo as saying. “The pre-season was much easier for him where he scored immediately and this gives you self-confidence. He is waiting and working hard and he didn’t score so far but I’m convinced about this guy. He’s a very positive guy and he needs a goal but when he works like this in the future it will come I’m sure.”

Hasenhuttl did, however, issue a bit of constructive criticism regarding Adams’ play, but added that, with several players sidelined, such as Nathan Redmond, it’s not unusual for players to perhaps change what they do on the pitch.

“He has a lot of qualities that helps our game,” added the Austrian. “He is good against the ball, when he has the ball he has a good body. Sometimes he takes too many touches and can play quicker and in general in the first half (against Manchester United) that was biggest problem that when we win the ball we can play quicker forward.

“We take too many touches and Ingsy also too often playing with too many touches but you don’t have to forget that we lost Nathan (Redmond) and Moussa (Djenepo) and Michael (Obafemi) with a lot of speed and it is normal that a few changes don’t work perfectly.”