Che is aiming for Prem summit after £15m exit
CHE Adams has set himself the challenge of helping Southampton win the Premier League.
The 22-year-old left Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £15million, and signed a five-year deal with Saints.
The move completes a determined rise up football’s pyramid that suffered an early setback when he was released by Coventry City as a youngster.
The striker, who scored 22 goals last term, has evolved into a good finisher and a powerful and quick attacker and has climbed back through the divisions with Sheffield United, Blues and now Ralph Hasenhüttl’s Southampton.
“I am delighted it has all gone through, there was interest in January but it didn’t quite go through. But I am happy now it went through,” said Adams.
“You can see with their track history the amount of young players they are playing, the gaffer’s belief in young players and where the club is going to be and I wanted to be part of that.
“We have had a quick chat, I really liked him (Hasenhüttl) and we will get on, I think. In the next couple of days we will definitely speak at depth.
“I want to be part of that and build something together as a team. It’s a huge club, obviously we want to win the league, obviously it’s a lot to ask for but you have to set yourself new targets to hit and with the squad I saw here last season there is no reason why we can’t.
“Even watching from aside when I was at Birmingham I liked what he did and wanted to be a part of it and when the opportunity came I couldn’t say no.
“It’s obviously a new step, different people I’ve not played for before or haven’t met but I can’t wait for the challenge.
“I am sure they will be all right, now it’s just about proving myself again and proving to my team-mates that I can play with them and make something happen.
“It’s going to be a long old season, I
just can’t wait to get going with the game at Burnley.”
It has been a ‘“ong old” journey too, six years in the making via Ilkeston Town.
Adams joined Blues in the summer of 2016 and wasn’t always a firstteam regular – until Garry Monk found a way to tap into his potential.
“I am quite attack-minded, creating chances, scoring goals, just being a threat and a nuisance to defenders and with the players I am going to be playing with hopefully that will improve,” Adams continued.
“My confidence came on last season, it was a massive season for me last year and Southampton picked up on that and added me into the squad.
“I started at non-league when I was younger, 16-17, just working my way up the trade and then I got a breakthrough at Sheffield United at about 18.
“Stepping up to the Championship definitely improved my game a lot because the Championship is a very hard league. There are a lot of teams, everyone wants one thing – and that’s promotion.
“I went through that stage and I found it difficult at times but I think I have really developed and learned a lot.”
Adams leaves Blues having played 123 times and scored 38 goals. Lukas Jutkiewicz and Isaac Vassell are now the club’s only recognised strikers remaining.
Blues issued
a
statement,
which read: “We part with Che on good terms and we sincerely thank him for his time here and wish him the very best for the future.
“When offers came in for him in January and last summer he remained totally professional and worked hard for the club – putting us first – and on improving his game regardless.”
Hasenhüttl added: “Che fits the profile of player we want to bring to Southampton and is very driven to show what he can do at the highest level. We have been monitoring his progress for some time now. He has shown a desire to join us above all other clubs, which shows the positive reputation Southampton has built for developing young players.”