Ralph Hasenhuttl talks up Southampton strikers ahead of Burnley

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl believes we’re witnessing the start of a successful striker partnership between Danny Ings and Che Adams.

Saints made the signing of Ings permanent in the summer after having him on loan for a season from Liverpool. The fee was worth a reported £20m.

Adams joined the club soon after, signing for a reported £15m from Championship side Birmingham City.

READ: 5 realistic things we want to see in Southampton’s new season

While we know pre-season matches aren’t a true reflection of a team’s health going into a new campaign, it did appear Ings and Adams were largely on the same wavelength in the Saints attack. Both scored goals and Ings was often the creator for Adams.

“It worked well, and we were unbeaten,” Hasenhuttl said ahead of Southampton’s trip up to Burnley, starting off their Premier League campaign, per the Daily Echo.

“The Premier League is something completely different and finally they showed they can work together and know what they have to do to get a good balance and opposite runs.

“We worked a lot in this part of the game and it’s important they know what they have to do.

“Che Adams has the big advantage being here form the start of pre-season.”

In general, Hasenhuttl appears happy with Southampton’s attacking options.

With the return of Sofiane Boufal from a loan spell at Celta Vigo, the signing of Moussa Djenepo, and the likes of Shane Long, Mchael Obafemi, and Stuart Armstrong chomping at the bit to play, Saints finally have some strength in numbers going forward.

Competition for places in attack is healthy and Hasenhuttl hopes his starters realise their place in the team will be constantly under threat from their teammates.

“It’s a big battle in the front for the three positions and with Michael Obafemi, we have a player who stepped up and Shane Long and Moussa [Djenepo] and Stuie [Armstrong] and Sofiane [Boufal].

“These positions are the ones where there is the biggest battle so far.”