Hasenhuttl with Che Adams message to Leeds amid game time admission

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has admitted that Che Adams is not receiving sufficient game time, but ruled out the possibility of the Leeds United-linked striker leaving.

Adams, who moved to the south coast from Birmingham in the summer, has appeared in 18 of his side’s 24 Premier League games this term but struggled for starts.

As such, the Englishman has been heavily linked with a move back to the Championship, with Leeds said to be keen.

Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa gave little away when asked about the potential transfer, but the West Yorkshire outfit have reportedly seen three bids turned down by the Saints.

Asked for an update on Adams’ situation in his latest press conference, Hasenhuttl was quick to shut down the chance that the 23-year-old leaving in the January window.

“I’ve recognised it now that our players are interesting for other clubs, that shows that we do a good job here because they want to have him [Adams],” the manager said.

“He’s not playing in the moment all that much but I think he feels how important he is for this team.

“I need every player in my squad and this is what I always tell them, so for us there is no option because we need every player, I trust every player. I don’t want to let anybody go.

 

 

“Nobody was is in my office and wanted to leave us. Also, we don’t have to sell any players. We need every player in the moment, the squad has good balance.

“We have a fantastic atmosphere, all the success we had in the last weeks was not based on one or two or the first XI, this was based on 20 players, they are going in the same direction and I don’t see any reason why I should change this.”

In other Leeds news, Manchester City winger Ian Poveda is reportedly in the city for a medical with Bielsa’s side.

The 19-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance at the Etihad but has a decorated youth career behind him.

The youngster played at Barcelona’s world-famous La Masia academy, before moving to Brentford’s academy and then to Manchester.

Despite a lack of first team football, his strong performances in Premier League 2 have seen the winger earn a place in the England Under-20 squad.