There have been plenty of news about potential incoming transfers to St Mary's, but so far little news about any real outgoings aside from those out of contract, but this morning comes one out of the blue.

According to some media sources Che Adams could be the subject of a bid from Leeds United with claims made that sporting director Victor Orta has been a long-term fan of the striker.

Che Adams season was a strange one, although he was overshadowed by the form of Armando Broja in the middle of the season, he quietly got on with scoring more goals than the Chelsea Loanee and by the end of February was ahead in the scoring stakes with 7 goals and looking good to reach double figures.

Not only was he scoring goals but he was making space for others and helping create chances.

But then suddenly he fell from favour, he would start just two games of the final 7 and of the 5 on the bench would play no part in the game in two of them.

So why was he so suddenly out of favour with Ralph, it can't be said that it was because others were in form, the manager persevered with Armando Broja although the Albanian from Slough was a shadow of his former self and offering little.

It seemed that we were trying to convince Broja to return for a second season by showing loyalty to him, either way it was misplaced as the Chelsea loanee didn't produce and those that are likely to be here next season including Adams were marginalised and perhaps now more likely to feel their future is not at St Mary's.

Now it seems that other clubs are interested in the striker and Leeds are one of them, the fee being bandied about is in the region of £18 million and with two years on his contract Saints would probably be able to hold out for a little more.

But surely Adams would be a player we would want to keep, perhaps he is not of the quality of say Danny Ings, but he is still a decent second striker with the ability to get into double figures, 10 goals may not sound much and in today's Premier League few players outside of the big clubs get that figure.

I hope that Che Adams is still a Saints player in 2022/23 and I also hope that the fact that someone else is interested in him, will perhaps wake up Ralph Hasenhuttl to that fact, something he seemed to forget as we tried to appease Broja.

Photo: Action Images

EvertonSaint added 08:34 - May 30 If we are going to reorganise and bring in better players, then I wouldn’t object to Che moving on. He hasn’t been the success we had all hoped for. Too few goals considering the number of minutes he played.Major surgery is needed at St Mary’s and it looks like the sacking of coaches is the first step. Shane Long, Moussa Djenepo, Elynoussi, Jack Stephens and Redmond must bea part of the clean sweep. It looks like being an interesting summer forSaints fans.

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JoeEgg added 08:54 - May 30 The greatest regret of all for us is that now we will not get Steve Cooper in as manager! Congrats to Forest - what a magnificent achievement.
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saintmark1976 added 09:11 - May 30 Nick, you ask “ So why was he suddenly out of favour with Ralph ?”. Probably because Ralph forgot to put his name in the hat from which his wife draws the team each week. As JoeEgg comments it’s a great pity that Forest won yesterday. Never mind, as a fellow poster recently commented “ In Ralph we Rust”.
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wessexman added 09:27 - May 30 Che Adam's treatment by Ralph has been strange as has his handling of both Armstrongs. Stuart Armstrong in particular, is and integral cog with his driving runs and eye for goal. All three have struggled for form but that is not going to improve being messed around by Ralph. The handling of these players has perhaps been indicative of the muddled and chaotic thinking of Ralph and his now defunct management team. It will soon be June and it would be nice for our club to get their players in out early in the window for a change.

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wessexman added 09:54 - May 30 Che Adam's treatment by Ralph has been strange as has his handling of both Armstrongs. Stuart Armstrong in particular, is and integral cog with his driving runs and eye for goal. All three have struggled for form but that is not going to improve being messed around by Ralph. The handling of these players has perhaps been indicative of the muddled and chaotic thinking of Ralph and his now defunct management team. It will soon be June and it would be nice for our club to get their players in out early in the window for a change.

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Farlow added 10:18 - May 30 Che Adams has been Coached out of form by our wonderful mismanager.
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SanMarco added 10:56 - May 30 A timely reminder that as well as a 'clean sweep' of those we want rid of, those we want to stay might go too. Is Che in that latter category? Second-guessing whatever the hell Ralph is thinking is not easy but Che suddenly going out of favour does not bode well. I think he is a good second striker and he works hard but, as we are about to find out, what any of us think matters not a jot. The paradox is that players like A. Armstrong and Che need extended runs in the team but if they aren't scoring then they quickly disappear. The number one priority is an Ings-like player who will guarantee a certain goals-per-minute on the pitch. Then only 7 from the second striker isn't so much of an issue. I hope Che stays - I suspect he will go if he thinks he can get more time on the pitch under a manager with a clear idea of where he is going from one day to the next...

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highfield49 added 11:05 - May 30 I'm in agreement with EvertonSaint in that I don't think that Che has grabbed the opportunities he's had, I've loved his effort and graft but too many chances to score have been placed too near the keeper or wide of the posts. He has of course scored some belters as well, but if moving him on frees up funds to bring in a proven top level striker I wouldn't grumble. Well, actually I might if the funds freed up were invested in Broja who's a good player but doesn't meet our present needs. Glad I don't have to make the transfer decisions because, as we all know, it's easy to make the wrong choices and often very hard to get them right. If we can get someone in who better suits Adam Armstrong's natural game then that would be a positive.

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underweststand added 11:13 - May 30 This is an echo of the last time that Leeds were (reputedly) after Ché . Undoubtedly his second season was the best, a good goal tally and caps for Scotland, but he has struggled to start of late and IMHO - if he wants to leave it's an ideal time to go and recoup a fee. Adam Armstrong has been unlucky when selected, but he and Ché are too much alike and injuries came to keep him out, and he was first-choice change when a crisis came (e.g. when Chelsea had a 4-0 HT lead at SMS) . Bad luck on him. I really think there is a good footballer in there somewhere and hope he can get first shout alongside "the new Broja " - whoever that will be.

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Block8 added 11:39 - May 30 Personally I would like him to stay and believe that he and Armstrong could form a good partnership, if we were a bit more adventurous. Strikers thrive on confidence, something Ralph may have drained from both Adams and Armstrong. But is there a reason he wasn't being picked? We don't see what goes on in training or behind the scenes, so maybe his attitude or application wasn't up to scratch. Or it maybe Ralph is a bit of a blunderer, we may not find out until some of the fringe players move on and either thrive or continue to fail! As for Danny Ings, he has scored the same number of goals (7) as Adams in the same number of games, whilst playing in a more attacking team, so is he he right player to bring back, I don't think so

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kingolaf added 11:42 - May 30 He’s very average and a poor finisher.
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JoeEgg added 12:00 - May 30 JoeEgg added 08:54 - May 30 The greatest regret of all for us is that now we will not get Steve Cooper in as manager! Congrats to Forest - what a magnificent achievement. Hahha they dont like it up 'em! Another year of Ralph - OMG please NO! Fiver years and he will be gone anyway - I can wait - probably in the Championship by then. Adams along with the Armstrongs have had pitiful service and must be completely drained of any confidence they arrived with. Broja looked good t then our system ruined him. No wonder he was unhappy. Still at least we start the new season level with Liverpool and City!!

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1962saint added 12:01 - May 30 Che is hard working and therefore popular with the fans but there are dozens of hard working players in the Premier league. I hope he stays as a useful squad player but if he moves to Leeds or another P L club don't expect him to suddenly become a prolific goalscorer. My main criticism is that he is so one footed. There have been quite a few times when he has been in the right place to slot in an easy chance with his left foot only to stop to hit with his right. By this time a defender has closed him down and the chance has gone.

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A1079 added 13:13 - May 30 The first time Adams was mooted as going to Leeds, I was a resounding No, he needed more time and opportunities. But, now I am not so sure. In many respects I like him because when he plays you cannot fault him for hard work and effort. BUT, he was brought to score goals and in that respect he has been a disappointment and I expected alot more from him on that front. Now whether his goal scoring failure (he is not alone in that respect at Saints) is down to lack of good support from around him or he is simply not good enough I am not sure. The Burnley away game was a classic example. He got the service but his finishing on 2 clear chances were woeful. Had he scored one of them it could have changed the game. There have been plenty more examples where he just seems to hit the keeper but cannot seem to find the spot either side. He has scored the odd good goal but it is not often enough. Do I want him to leave? Not sure. If I thought we would spend the money well and improve on him then I would not have an issue but I am not confident we would do that. I would rather see Adam Armstrong leave - I have seen nothing at all in him to suggest he is going to make it at this level or be a game changer. Nothing against Adam Armstrong personally but just not good enough. But, we have a number of players who are simply not good enough and therein is the reason why we end up struggling.

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I_would added 13:33 - May 30 Shame on all people who voted down any dissent about Ralph on this thread. You're not the loyal fans you think you are. You're not fans at all as he's going to take us down. The worst thing that has happened so far this window is three coaches out but not Ralph.
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I_would added 14:13 - May 30 Thanks to the two masochistic dummies that just down voted me about down voting. You couldn't make it up with the stiffs on this forum.
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beynali73 added 14:31 - May 30 Now that Ted Bates statue is safe maybe the board could make him manager again. I'm sure his team selections would make more sense than Ralphs :)
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davidargyll added 16:55 - May 30 I_would: if we go down, of course you can crow. But if we don't, what will be your reaction then? Still after Ralph's head no doubt saying we stayed up despite him...? And how can you say "You're not fans at all as he's going to take us down"? or"Thanks to the two masochistic dummies that just down voted me about down voting. You couldn't make it up with the stiffs on this forum." For the record I do think you are talking utter balls, but I don't accuse you of not being a fan, just not my type of fan (as presumably I am not yours either). Though with your totally negative approach it beats me why you bother to support the Saints or indeed contribute to this forum as you clearly find it all so frustrating...

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davidargyll added 16:57 - May 30 PS Che's lack of playtime did coincide with the arrival of the new owners, so maybe he doesn't show up well in the black box...?
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I_would added 22:35 - May 30 More than happy DA that you don't agree with me. In fact I'd worry if you did.
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mancuniansaint added 00:46 - Jun 1 "My main criticism is that he is so one footed. There have been quite a few times when he has been in the right place to slot in an easy chance with his left foot only to stop to hit with his right. By this time a defender has closed him down and the chance has gone." Agree with you 100%, 1962saint. Any half decent striker has to be able to hit the target with either foot. Despite the undeniable effort he puts in, I would not be too unhappy to see him go.

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