Ralph Hasenhuttl has admitted there was little to no chance of Che Adams leaving Southampton to join Leeds United back in January 2020. The Leicester-born forward was heavily linked with a move to Elland Road just a few months after his move from Birmingham City, having failed to score in the Premier League up to that point.
Back then, Leeds were keen to sign Adams, either on loan or permanently, to help bolster their attacking options as they pushed for promotion back to the Premier League. However, the Whites managed to get over the line in the end, with Patrick Bamford ending the season on 16 goals.
A move failed to materialise, with Adams staying put at Southampton and establishing himself as a regular in Ralph Hasenhuttl's side, playing alongside Danny Ings and forging a strong partnership with the former Saints forward. He has progressed in recent seasons and has now scored 21 goals in 103 games for Saints, including eight in 26 games in all competitions this term.
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"It was never a question to let him [Adams] go because we knew that he is an important striker for us," Hasenhuttl said, when asked about the links with Leeds ahead of Southampton's trip to face the Whites at Elland Road this weekend.
"In the past he showed he definitely helps us scoring goals. We lost Danny Ings in the summer, so there was never a question [of him going], we wanted to keep him. In the future, he could be a very important player for us for the long term.
"He is now part of the Scottish team and hopefully will be part of the World Cup, not yet, but maybe. It is good to see him developing his game. He loves being at the club and he feels comfortable here. He has to keep progressing, you are never happy enough and there is still a lot of room to develop."
Adams will be trying to help his side to their first win in four matches. Saints' last win in all competitions came against Norwich City back in February - where they came out with a 2-0 victory.
Defeats against Aston Villa, Newcastle, Manchester City and Watford have scuppered their momentum, but a two-week break could've came at the perfect time for Saints. Adams and strike partner Armando Broja have been key to their success this season and both will be looking to get back on the scoresheet at Elland Road.
