Hakim Abdallah says that Stoke City are pleased with the progress he has made since he joined the club from French outfit Brest, but want him to be fully prepared before they involve him in the first team.
The 18-year-old is a highly rated talent and caught the eye of the Potters with his exploits in his native France, with a deal being sealed to take him to the Britannia Stadium in the winter transfer window this year.
Abdallah claims that Stoke are pleased with the progress he has made during his opening months at the club, with a lack of English one of the main reasons he is not yet involved in the first team.
"When I arrived, I knew the qualities I had", he told French outlet Foot Mercato.
"I knew I could succeed, despite being told about the dangers of going to England at my age", the young striker continued.
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"In two months and eight games, I have five goals and three assists – they are very pleased with me.
"I train and play with the Under-21s or Under-18s. I have not yet had a session with the professionals because of the language. They want me to be really ready. They want to wait until next season.
"The six months I am using to prepare myself for next year. I am progressing slowly but surely. Mark Hughes told me to do what I did at Brest and there would be no problems.
"He told me to play like I can do. If he is counting on me, it is with a clear idea of the future", Abdallah added.
The young Frenchman will be aiming to put himself in the first team mix for the Potters in the 2016/17 campaign, something which surely means he must use pre-season to impress Hughes.
Abdallah has been capped by France at Under-16 level.
