Although Southampton’s final pre-season friendly of the summer didn’t exactly go to plan as we suffered a 3-0 defeat to the hands of Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday at St Mary’s Stadium, one man’s run out in the game certainly struck the right chord amongst the faithful.
🗣 "It's good to be back on the pitch!"
Hear from @MayaYoshida3 after he returned to action for #SaintsFC this weekend: pic.twitter.com/VEXvN8TS9H
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 5, 2018
Having returned late to pre-season training following an extended break owing to World Cup duty for Japan, Maya Yoshida was making his first appearance of the summer in the match and he was delighted to be back.
Having had a very positive trip to Russia where they reached the knock out stage to the surprise of many, Yoshida admitted that the defeat to Belgium had knocked the stuffing out of him and his international colleagues, but having now rested up and cleared his head, he’s raring to go again.
Speaking to saintsfc following the game at the weekend, he explained.
“It’s good to be back on the pitch, and to get back my feeling and fitness as well. It can be a little bit difficult, because I came back late and we’d already played a few games. I played extra games in the World Cup, but now I need to get back my fitness and also rest very well mentally. After such a big tournament, I lost so much energy – physically and mentally. Now that I’m back I feel really hungry to play football. I want to play for Southampton and that’s an important mentality to have.”
With mild speculation about his future and plenty wondering if Yoshida would even be with us come the end of the transfer window, at least from his words it doesn’t sound like he’s going anywhere to me and that can only be a positive as we look towards a strong start to the Premier League campaign after our mixed pre-season.
Good to see you back Maya ????
— Art68????⚪️ (@ArthurCogger) August 5, 2018
Yoshida for captain !
— Nicky (@Creamfacedloon) August 5, 2018
Great to have him back a fantastic and loyal player who gives everything every game he plays
— John Griffin (@Griffinjohn38) August 5, 2018
???????? Certain XI when recovered from the World Cup.
— Bonaventura (@HaraldBB) August 5, 2018
Class act
— mark talbot (@TheMarkTalbot) August 5, 2018
