Che Adams is confident that he is closing in on his first Premier League goal for Southampton with Friday’s opponents Bournemouth in his sights. The 23-year-old joined the Saints from Birmingham City over the summer, penning a five-year deal after a fee believed to be in the region of £15m was agreed between the clubs.
A successful pre-season suggested he could take his Championship form into the Premier League but things have not been as easy as he has yet to score in the side’s opening five league outings.
Adams did go close in the weekend’s 1-0 victory over his former club Sheffield United at Bramall Lane when he hit the post and forced Blades goalkeeper into a good save.
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Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has consistently backed his big-money signing to come good in the top flight, while Adams is remaining positive because he is “getting into good positions to score goals” even if he has yet to put the ball in the back of the net.
He added in the Daily Echo: “As a striker, these things happen, and you’ve just got to keep at it. We got the three points on Saturday and that’s all that matters. “Goals give you confidence and three points give you confidence. It’s all positive and I will go again in the next game.”
There will be an added incentive for Adams to break his duck in the Saints’ next two matches.
Friday’s derby against Bournemouth at St Mary’s in the Premier League is followed by next Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third-round trip to fierce south coast rivals Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
While Adams has yet to find the net, fellow summer arrival Moussa Djenepo has had no problems.
The £14m winger, who joined from Standard Liege in June, scored his second goal for the club in the win at Sheffield
United and Adams has backed the 21-year-old Mali international to be a big hit for the Saints.
He added: “I think he will be a massive player for us, he’s an attacking threat, and that’s what we need. He will help us in the league.”
