Boufal is talented but must improve, says Puel

Cape Town - Southampton manager Claude Puel has called for improvement from 'talented' Sofiane Boufal, despite scoring a stunning winner in the 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Sunday.

The club-record signing marked his first-ever Premier League goal in emphatic fashion against Boro, but Puel feels he can improve in his efficiency in possession and his movement off the ball.

The Frenchman feels as a flair player, the 23-year-old still needs to contribute in other stages of play, especially in a fiercely-contested league like the English top flight.

"Sofiane is a talent but also it is important to work with a good attitude," he said. "For example in the first half we saw a lot of dribbles without a good thing, he lost a lot of balls.

"It was not a good Sofiane. It was important he came back in the second half and found a good solution when he plays one or two touch and keeps his spontaneity. 

"He is a good player with talent. It's important he makes progress and after that he can be the difference every time because he has fantastic quality."

The Morocco international joined the saints for £16 million from Ligue 1 side Lille after scoring 12 goals in 35 games.