Bundesliga
"Leipzig average three points per game with Adams" – Rangnick
Just in case you were in any doubt about Tyler Adams' impact at RB Leipzig since joining from the New York Red Bulls in January, allow head coach Ralf Rangnick to persuade you: "We're averaging three points per game with him."
The best part? It is no exaggeration. Leipzig have played 10 matches in all competitions so far in 2019, recording six wins, three draws and one defeat.
The solitary loss, a 1-0 reverse at home to Borussia Dortmund, was on Matchday 18, but Adams was an unused substitute, having only had a few training sessions with his new teammates at that stage.
Watch: Adams settling in Leipzig
Since then, the 20-year-old has started in the Bundesliga victories over Fortuna Düsseldorf, Hannover, VfB Stuttgart, Nuremberg and Schalke as well as the DFB Cup last-16 triumph over Wolfsburg.
"Whenever Tyler's been on the pitch, we've won," Rangnick told Kicker. "We also beat Hoffenheim in the second half when he was on the pitch [the match ended 1-1, but Leipzig were losing 1-0 when Adams was brought on at half-time]. We're averaging three points per game with Adams.
"Obviously that's not just down to him, but the manner in which we play when he's on the pitch. We knew what an extraordinary character he is for his young age. The team welcomed him immediately without any reservations."
Adams himself is delighted with his development since moving to Germany. "The coaching staff have helped me and the players have helped a lot," he told bundesliga.com. "Whether it is a video on the side, in practice, getting the tactics. I think that from coming from a team like New York who play in a similar style, and having Jesse Marsch here has been a huge contribution to my progression so far."
Watch: Adams on Jesse Marsch's importance to his progress in Leipzig
Fellow midfield terrier Diego Demme confirmed as much. "He's a very nice guy and he's integrated himself very well here from day one," the 27-year-old told rb-fans.de. "As he obviously speaks English, communication has been easy. He's given his all out on the pitch and in the games he's played he's shown right away that he's got what it takes to play in the Bundesliga."
There can be little doubt about that, even if Adams is only a few weeks into his top-flight career in Germany, that his performance statistics speak for themselves. For example, in the recent Matchday 24 victory over Nuremberg, Adams made more intensive runs (90) and covered more ground (7.42 miles) than anyone else, while his overall industry frequently outdoes fellow midfielders Demme, Kevin Kampl and even former Leipzig fan favourite Naby Keita.
And while the Bundesliga title looks set to be a two-horse race between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, if Adams can continue his points-per-game ratio this term, Leipzig would end up with 73 – enough for the runners-up spot in four of the past five seasons.