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The South African striker made his first appearance in the English top flight on Wednesday when the Seagulls were overtaken by Pep Guardiola’s men.
Former South Africa captain Steven Pienaar has advised Brighton & Hove Albion forward Percy Tau to focus on his football and help his team avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Tau made his first English bow against Manchester City on Wednesday when Graham Potter’s side suffered a 1-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
The loss left Brighton 17th in the league table, just two points out of the relegation zone, and they are now winless in their last nine league outings.
Pienaar, who played for Everton and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League during their active days, expressed his enthusiasm for Tau’s latest feat in England, and hoped that the Bafana Bafana star will inspire the Seagulls to maintain their top-flight status this time. Bell.
“I am proud to have another South African in the Premier League in Percy Tau, making his debut against Manchester City,” Pienaar said. Laduma Soccer.
“I think he had a pretty good game for his first appearance, he stood his ground and I hope he continues that way.
“He is the first South African to play in the league after me and I am personally very excited to see him. I think he has the talent, the passion, the work ethic to do well in the Premier League, but I think he should be given more time to adjust, of course the unwanted pressure could affect him.
“Brighton is playing good football, but it is not winning and the pressure increases when you are on the wrong side of the table. I hope he can help the team stay on their feet, it will only increase his confidence and his legacy at the club and people will notice him. “
Tau was pulled from his assignment at Anderlecht last week after spending the past two and a half years on loan in Belgium due to work permit issues in England.
Before his return, the former Mamelodi Sundowns star scored four First Division A goals for Vincent Kompany’s team this season, but Pienaar believes he will need time to settle down well in England.
He added: “But it’s also a long season and Percy didn’t get much rest during his first two years in Europe, and the Premier League is a much tougher league, so people have to be patient with him. I know everyone is excited to see another South African in one of the biggest leagues in the world, so it’s understandable that people are enjoying this moment.
But my advice to Percy is to focus on his football and try to stay away from things like social media. If he can help the team stand up, it will build his name, but other than that, I’m very proud of him. “
The next step for Tau and Brighton & Hove Albion is a Premier League trip to Leeds United on Saturday.
