Onuachu's absence against Bournemouth

Posted : 29 April 2023

In a recent development, Rubben Selles, the manager of Southampton Football Club, has openly acknowledged that the decision to exclude Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu from the team's lineup against Bournemouth was a deliberate tactical move.

Onuachu, who joined the Saints during the January transfer window in a noteworthy deal worth an estimated £18 million from KRC Genk, has faced limited opportunities to showcase his skills on the English Premier League stage.

Out of the nine league games he has been involved in since his arrival, Onuachu has started in only three of them.

However, during the highly-anticipated clash against Bournemouth, the Nigerian forward found himself on the sidelines as Selles opted to justify his choice by highlighting the superior qualities of Che Adams, another player in the Southampton ranks.

Adams, an Englishman, has undeniably made a significant impact on the team, contributing five goals and three assists so far.

In contrast, Onuachu is yet to find the back of the net.

When questioned about the absence of the Nigerian attacker by HampshireLive, Selles admitted that both players possess comparable skill sets.

However, the manager emphasized that Adams' exceptional energy and dynamism were deemed more suitable for the specific demands of the home game against Bournemouth.

Selles evidently prioritized Adams' impressive contributions and decided to rely on his prowess to deliver a strong performance for the team.

This statement from the Southampton manager sheds light on the strategic considerations and evaluations that go into selecting the ideal starting lineup for each game.

Despite recognizing Onuachu's potential and talent, Selles opted for Adams' proven impact and adaptability in the team's playing style.

Such decisions are integral to managing a football team, as managers must make choices that maximize their team's chances of success in each unique match.

As the football world continues to observe the progress of Paul Onuachu at Southampton, fans and pundits alike eagerly await the Nigerian striker's breakthrough moment, where he can demonstrate his scoring prowess and showcase the qualities that convinced the club to secure his services.

In the meantime, the team's manager, Rubben Selles, stands by his decision, confident in the abilities of Che Adams to contribute positively to Southampton's performance in the challenging Premier League campaign.

"We had Che Adams and Sekou Mara.

"We thought because Che Adams is as good as any striker in the air, also Sekou [Mara]. I don’t think there’s a difference between them and Paul Onuachu. We thought we’d be more dynamic, we can attack with the spaces better in the box. So it was a tactical decision," the manager said.

Onuachu's absence against Bournemouth

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