DESPITE a lack of firing goalscorers in the Saints squad, there is still a question to be answered over one of their big-name strikers.
Scotland international Che Adams scored three goals in three appearances to start the Championship season but has yet to find the net since.
After a 22-goal campaign for Birmingham City in the second division earned him the move to Premier League Saints, it looked certain to be a triumphant return.
Instead, Adams finds himself on the periphery of the team. Of the opening 17 matches, the 27 year old has started just six.
- Will Adams establish himself as a starter again for Saints?
- Has his ongoing contract situation damaged his standing?
- Do Saints need to sell in January as they watch FFP?
It is not impossible that Adams will be recalled to the starting XI by manager Russell Martin when Saints host Bristol City tomorrow.
Che Adams insists he remains committed to the Saints cause this season
However, you probably would not bet on it despite a likely shake-up of the front three. Charly Alcaraz is waiting in the wings as the obvious, first change.
With Adams failing to establish himself as the focal point for Saints while new signing Ross Stewart was injured, the Scot's return only narrows his opportunity further.
Adam Armstrong, who the majority would agree wilted under the Premier League heat more so than Adams, has scored 10 goals and assisted a further three.
Adams leaving St Mary's looked like a real possibility this summer, with the striker left out of the squad against QPR, but a potential late move to Wolves did not take off.
Since signing for Saints in 2019, Adams has scored under his expected goals to the tune of around 8.5 over the course of four Premier League seasons.
His three crucial strikes against Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich City, and Plymouth Argyle coming from just four total shots did some work to claw that back.
What Adams also offers, at his best, is a target for defenders and a man to make a ball stick. He possesses physical strength in a duel.
Adams was the subject of reported transfer interest from Everton in 2022, despite former CEO Martin Semmens publicly quashing the suggestion.
Only speculating but would not be surprised if Steve Cooper followed up on his admiration for Che Adams in January, if they’re needing a forward…#SaintsFC https://t.co/tMXTNj2HcP
— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) November 23, 2023
It was around that time, with the shop window still open, that Adams netted twice against hometown club Leicester City to snatch a 2-1 win from behind.
Although they equate to only around 100 minutes, his last five Championship appearances have seen him touch the ball a combined 38 times, taking no shots.
After Saints rejected bids for Adams from multiple Premier League clubs this summer, including Everton, they offered him a new contract, as first reported by the Daily Echo.
As well as three more years of security, the deal was thought to include a player leadership position within the dressing room.
It would make sense that Adams not signing diminished his standing, although it would likely not be admitted. If nothing else, it leaves the exit door ajar.
Asked about the deal in September, Adams insisted: “It’s difficult to say. We have just come from a busy summer and it’s about getting my head down and scoring goals.
“My football has to be the most important thing, with games coming thick and fast it’s hard to sit down and actually reflect on what’s going on or think about the future."
The January transfer window opens in just 34 days and the speculation about many clubs and players from unconfirmed sources is already starting to ramp up.
Saints were heavily linked with adding another winger in Sunderland's Patrick Roberts in the final hours of the summer window before missing out.
It could mean they revive their interest in reinforcements but CEO Phil Parsons revealed to the Daily Echo the precarity of stricter EFL financial fair play following the club's relegation.
“It’s my job to look at both lenses. It’s Russell Martin and Jason Wilcox's job to push the players but it’s my job to make sure this club has a sustainable future," he said.
“It’s not something that we want to sell players, we will sell when we need to and if it’s the right money, as we proved this summer."
Championship clubs follow profitability and sustainability rules which dictate what losses clubs are permitted to incur over a rolling three-year period - as it stands, around £13million per year.
Their measured spending during the summer should allow them to act on potential winter targets while a fee raised by Adams could further bolster the coffers.
With his contract expiring, it would be a miracle to get a £15million fee as proposed by the Telegraph in August but Adams likely still has Premier League suitors.
Whatever the outcome, with only Adams, Armstrong and Will Smallbone on three or more goals this season, it suits all parties to get firing again ahead of that window opening.
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