SAINTS manager Ruben Selles explained his decision to reinstate Che Adams to his starting XI, insisting: “His expertise in the Premier League is sometimes not valued.”
Scottish international Adams missed both of Selles’s first matches as manager through injury but returned to the fold for the 1-0 win over Leicester City on Saturday.
The 26 year old was also dropped to the bench in the Premier League for Nathan Jones’s final match at the helm in February – the first time he had not started since October.
Adams provided the assist for Charly Alcaraz’s finish and now has four goals and three assists in his 22 Premier League appearances this campaign. He also netted five in the EFL Cup.
#PL starts: 2️⃣#PL goals: 2️⃣
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Carlos Jonas Alcaraz ✨ pic.twitter.com/TqDRybxDyG
Asked what he had seen to bring Adams back into the starting team over new signing Paul Onuachu, Selles told the Daily Echo that it was intangibles that can make the difference.
“His expertise in the Premier League is sometimes something not valued in the Premier League but for us, this is of high value,” he explained.
“He understands the opponents he plays against, the tempo of the Premier League and the way to dominate centre-backs.
“The relations he has in the group were core today, even though he was not able to do 95 minutes.”
Adams, along with Theo Walcott, was substituted for Sekou Mara and Adam Armstrong after 63 minutes of the eventual win over the Foxes.
Adams is likely to retain his starting role for next weekend’s trip to Old Trafford. Adams scored at Manchester United in a 1-1 draw last season.
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