Brighton and Hove Albion CEO Paul Barber has explained why Bafana Bafana forward Percy Tau did not get much game time since his return to the club.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns ace has been sent out on loan at three different clubs in Belgium – Union SG, Club Brugge and Anderlecht - since he signed for Brighton in 2018.
In December 2020, the Seagulls then pulled the trigger on a contractual clause in his loan deal and recalled the 26-year-old.
However, so far, the return has not been a fairy-tale story for Tau.
He did not see many playing minutes and notched up only six appearances (3 Premier League, 3 FA Cup) in the remaining six months of the domestic season.
Speaking at a fans' forum (via Sussex Live), Barber reveals that head coach Graham Potter did not use Tau often because of tactics and gave the player enough time to adjust to life in the United Kingdom.
"Managers will have different views on players at different times and in different games. In games where Graham [Potter] has thought that Percy [Tau] can play apart from a tactical point of view, he has played him," Barber said.
"Whether that has been from the start as he did away against Manchester City or in one or two other games or off the bench, he will do that.
"Sometimes he will be on the bench and not be used because again in the game tactically; Graham will think other players are better suited to whatever he is trying to do at that moment in time."
He added: "I think the most important thing is to remember an adjustment for a player like Percy to the Premier League is massive, and he is still in his first year.
"He would have obviously played in Belgium, which domestically is a much lower level than the Premier League. He has played in the Champions League, so he has bridged the gap between the two.
"But it is one thing playing in Champions League games every couple of weeks to four weeks to suddenly playing in the Premier League every week."