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Afonso Alves, Middlesbrough’s £12.7 million signing from Heerenveen, has made a low-key start to his career in English football. The Brazilian has made three appearances as a substitute so far, and has not yet scored.

But Southgate is not concerned about the statistics - with an eye on the longer-term, his priority is to ease the player into his new environment gradually. Southgate is trying to lift any pressure off the striker by telling Boro fans not to expect anything from him until next season.

The Boro manager is basing his approach on Wenger's coaching style, given that the Arsenal boss has successfully guided players like Robert Pires, Emmanuel Adebayor and Alexander Hleb through relatively quiet first seasons in The Premier League.

“English football is a lot quicker than what Afonso’s been used to,” Southgate told The Guardian.

“I wouldn’t expect to see the best of Afonso until next season.

“We could still see something very good from him before the summer but, if I throw him in from the start too early, people might think he’s not up to it.

“I look at the way Arsene Wenger gives his new Arsenal players time to settle.”

source:goal.com