Southampton striker Adam Armstrong could follow in the footsteps of Che Adams and enjoy a more productive second season in the Premier League, according to journalist Tom Barclay.

Armstrong has struggled since making the move from Blackburn last summer and will be hoping to improve in 2022-2023.

How has Armstrong fared this season?

It really has been a difficult first full campaign on the South Coast for the striker.

Armstrong joined, looking to build on his fine goalscoring record in the Championship in recent years, but he's been unable to get anything going.

He marked his Southampton debut by scoring on the opening day with a fine finish at Everton, but his goalscoring return since that strike at Goodison Park has been almost non-existent.

In fact, his only other league goal this season came against Aston Villa in November, with his game-time extremely limited since the turn of the year.

Armstrong hasn't started a top-flight match in 2022 and has been an unused substitute on six occasions, with his four appearances off the bench totting up to just 42 minutes.

Despite his difficulties, Barclay failed to rule out the possibility of Armstrong replicating what £18m-rated Adams did after scoring just four goals in his first campaign before pushing on in the last two.

What did Barclay say about Armstrong?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "Adam Armstrong hasn't set the world alight, but look at Che Adams, he's a good Premier League striker.

"He is now scoring goals after struggling in his first season, so don't be surprised if Armstrong next season is playing at a much better level and is a much more consistent player."

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What happened with Adams?

Like Armstrong, Adams failed to live up to expectations in his first season. Having signed for £15m from Birmingham, he scored just four goals in 34 appearances in his first campaign.

However, Adams kicked on in his second season, scoring nine goals in the Premier League, which included strikes against Manchester City and Chelsea.

Adams hasn't looked back since, with the frontman in with a chance of hitting double figures for the first time in his career and has once again highlighted his ability to perform in the biggest games, scoring at both Tottenham and Manchester United.

Therefore, if Armstrong can get off the mark early next term and look at Adams as an example, there's no reason why he can't kick on.