Southampton made a double striker signing over the summer, securing Danny Ings permanently after his loan spell ended, along with recruiting Championship prospect, Che Adams. It is safe to say the pair have had contrasting fortunes with Ings chasing down the Premier League golden boot on 14 goals, while Adams is yet to get off the mark in the top-flight.
Reports have emerged in the Mirror that Leeds United are interested in signing Adams, though, Southampton are supposedly adamant he will not go. The Premier League side ought to reconsider their stance as the switch to the Championship’s second-placed side could benefit the player.
Leeds United’s promotion push is stumbling, having won just one of their past five games. A large part of the reason the Peacocks are not clear at the top of the second division is due to a lack of a clinical edge. Marcelo Bielsa’s side dominate possession more than any other team in the league, averaging 59.8 percent, while also recording the highest number of shots per match, 16.
Yet Leeds’ leading striker Patrick Bamford has just ten goals to his name, almost half of golden boot leaders Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ollie Watkins. With an abundance of experience in the division, Adams could be precisely what Leeds need to secure automatic promotion, while also boosting the 23-year-old’s confidence after a challenging introduction to Premier League life.
Adams has over 100 Championship matches under his belt, scoring 34 times in the division while registering 13 assists. With the abundance of chances Leeds create, the Englishman could easily add to his already impressive tally. Furthermore, were Adams to move on a temporary loan basis, it may benefit the striker to spend some time with a man Pep Guardiola has described as “the greatest coach in the world”.
Regardless of his Southampton’s opinion, it appears on current evidence that a move to Leeds, either permanently or on a temporary basis, would be in the interest of Adams’ career. After 16 Premier League appearances without a goal, dropping down a division and receiving world-class coaching, eyeing a Premier League return next season, would benefit all involved in Adams’ future.
