Che Adams has his sights set on promotion at Southampton. Photo: Telegraph/Russell Sach
It's been a rollercoaster year for Che Adams. . A desperate decline in the Premier League — «the toughest time of my career,» he says — was followed by a spectacular resurgence under manager Russell Martin, with Southampton now eight games unbeaten and up to fourth. No Championship team has scored more points than them since September.
At the same time, Adams is a key member of the Scotland team, which has already so impressively secured qualification for next year's European Championships in a group in which includes Erling Haaland's Spain and Norway.
The injury forced the striker to withdraw. from flying to Turkey for warm weather training ahead of Scotland's two final qualifying games — away to Georgia and at home to Norway. But it also gave him time to think about 2023, how close he was to leaving Southampton and what the future holds.
Relegation is undoubtedly traumatic. Southampton have undergone a huge upheaval: the club's management has been overhauled, 18 players have been sold, raising up to £160 million, some of these sales very protracted, and eight have signed contracts with an initial value of £19 million. Adams could have left 19th, but Southampton rejected several offers: £15 million from Everton and Bournemouth and £18 million from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“I think there was a lot of interest in the summer, but nothing crossed the line,” says Adams, before adding: “In fact, when the window closed, I was relieved because it was over and that meant I and my family became more balanced. My full attention is here. From the moment the window closes until we get promotion — hopefully — I am completely focused on Southampton.
Che Adams has scored three goals this season. Photo: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
And completely motivated. Although Adams is out of contract at the end of this season, meaning the club risks losing him on a free transfer, he is committed to the cause. The 27-year-old has played in the Championship before but it's not where he or Southampton want to be and while he doesn't intend to dwell on relegation, it's important he believes he recognizes what it meant and the desire to put an end to departure. all right.
“Last season was definitely the toughest season of my career,” says Adams, who also played for Sheffield United and Birmingham City before earning his move to Southampton for £15 million in 2019
“Everyone who was there tried to talk about it, but we just couldn’t understand it. Of course, I don’t want to blame anyone, but we didn’t perform throughout the entire season. This was not enough and we were eliminated. It was complicated. I play every game, every week. We were afraid to go to matches because we wanted to achieve success for the club. In fact, the pressure got the better of us and we just couldn't get results. I was very low, very depressed.”
But the relegation allowed Southampton to regroup. “Absolutely,” Adams says. “There have been a lot of changes in staff and players over the summer. I think the club has definitely taken the right steps moving forward, moving forward and getting back into the Premier League where everyone knows we should be. I hope we will be there.”
Martin played a decisive role. Signed from Swansea City, Southampton wanted their possession-based style of play to be immediately evident in the first game of the season — a televised win over Sheffield Wednesday — when there were over 931 completed passes.< /p>
“We had that reputation from the first game,” smiles Adams, and for a while it did make things difficult for Southampton when teams came to “close up shop” against them. Despite this, Southampton still have the most possession and assists in the division.
«I laugh because it's so different,» he explains of Southampton's challenging new style of play. “But everyone really likes it. This is different for different positions. As a striker, you don't touch the ball as much. He wants you to create space for the eights, the midfielders, the wide players, so in that context it's difficult and different. As a striker, I like to be involved, to get things done. But it makes us better players and makes us learn.»
«Gaffer pushes us to get promoted, and that's the main goal.»
Martin, just 37, is well-liked and compassionate, which helps in a dressing room that suffered during the last campaign. “Everyone feels a real connection with him, in everyday activities. You feel like you can talk to him about anything,” Adams says.
“For example, this morning I was late for practice because my daughter was sick and I had to take her to the doctor. I called him and he said, “Yes, everything is fine.” Just come in when you're ready.» Sometimes it is quite difficult to maintain such relationships with other managers.
“And we have to give him credit. He came at a difficult time and with all the changes. It was amazing. We lost our flow a little earlier in the season (after four defeats in a row, leaving Southampton in 15th place), perhaps due to team changes and player sales, but we worked hard, worked smart, to overcome it. The club is on the rise. The manager pushes us towards promotion, and that’s the whole point.”
Adams talks a lot about the importance of «everyone pulling in the right direction» and «being a team», which is all the more impressive considering he is currently on the sidelines. “I have no complaints because they are playing well, but as soon as the chance comes I will try to take it,” he says. «But if you don't play for one reason or another, you still have to help them win.»
It's interesting that with so many young players, Adams has taken on the role of a senior professional. “Football is much more than a football field,” he says. “It’s not just football that matters – everyday things like not being late, being respectful. In football it makes a big difference because the world is such a small place and everyone knows everyone. You want to be considered a good person. Reliable. You can learn to have good manners.»
Adams believes the Championship is the «strongest ever» but is confident Southampton «will be among it» at the end of the season when it comes. in the race for promotion.
Adams plans to play for Scotland at Euro 2024. Photo: Getty Images/Frank Fife
And if they achieve their goal, it will boost his chances of making the Scotland squad in Germany next year. “Amazing. Amazing,” Adams says of qualifying.
“We lost to Spain and we needed them to get a result against Norway (they won 1-0) to make it go our way. We were all watching the game, waiting for the final whistle and the feeling of having all qualified together was just… (Manager) Steve Clarke has put together an incredible group of players, some really good guys, top players: John McGinn, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney: So many great players there is no reason why we shouldn't do well (next summer).
«It's like a family too and I'm glad to be in it. Master has really created the atmosphere of the club, and everyone loves it. My goal is to prepare for next summer and be on good terms with my club so that hopefully I can go to the tournament full of motivation and happiness.»
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