Liverpool loanee Takumi Minamino ‘nonsense’ tour exploded by Ralph Hasenhuttl

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl feels it is “weird” for players like Japan forward Takumi Minamino to fly around the globe for international fixtures at a time of pandemic.

Minamino, on loan from Liverpool, is set to join several other Europe-based players for a friendly next week against South Korea in Yokohama.

Several other Saints first-team members will be away after Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Bournemouth.

Striker Che Adams received the first call from Scotland for their World Cup qualifiers, with midfielder Stuart Armstrong again as part of Steve Clarke’s squad.

Under current coronavirus guidelines, people arriving from countries are banned from traveling on a red list subject to 10 days of hotels.

However, due to the special conditions for elite athletes, FIFA has granted clubs a passport to prevent players who may be subject to the rules from joining their countries.



Takumi Minamino is expected to travel back to Japan
Takumi Minamino is expected to travel back to Japan

Hasenhuttl admits there is little that Southampton can do but wait and hope that the right-wing players return to duty wherever they were when Premier League action resumes with Burnley’s visit on Easter Sunday.

I expect that to happen (Minamino trip), although there are some big trips and long journeys, which I don’t like to see, but it ‘s the way it is, and a few more players are go too, “the Southampton boss said.

“To be honest, when you see how difficult it is to travel right now, what loops they have to jump through when they come back to be available again, this is a bit of a joke for me. .

“We are not allowed to leave the country for any reason, and then they are flying around the world in a pandemic, I can see no reason why you should do this.

“But it’s the way it is, and we have to accept it. I can’t accept it if the players after that are available to us and to our game, this is the hope.”



The head of the Saints is not happy about the travel plans of his players
The head of the Saints is not happy about the travel plans of his players

Adams had rejected Scotland’s progress in 2017 but, after speaking to Clarke, is now happy to expect to test himself at an international level.

The 24 – year – old has three goals in his last three club appearances and Hasenhuttl said: “It ‘s a great opportunity for him.

“He’s in good shape right now. Hopefully it shows he’s a team advantage.”

Southampton’s poor form continued last weekend when they defeated at home by Brighton relegation fighters, leaving him 10 wins from their last 12 Premier League games.

Hasenhuttl is expected to respond in Saturday’s FA Cup match against Bournemouth, who are running a promotion from the Sky Bet Tournament.

“This is a game where we will have the opportunity to reach the semi-finals of the most traditional English football tournament,” he said.

“I think for us, for the players, for the staff, for the fans, for everyone in the club (it is) probably the most important game this year.”

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Hasenhuttl feels that Birmingham forward Adams made the right choice to get top-class international football with Scotland instead of standing in for the chance from high-level. view of England.

“It’s a good opportunity for him, the chance to play for this country is higher than maybe waiting for England’s call I think,” the Austrian coach said.

“It’s a little harder, but for every player it’s a great opportunity to play international games and hopefully it shows that it makes them stronger.”

Saints captain James Ward-Prowse will be hoping to add to his four England captains in World Cup matches against San Marino, Albania and Poland.

Hasenhuttl will be keeping a close eye on his squad over the next few weeks.

“Usually when I can look at my players, I like to do it,” he said. “When they play I like to follow them, yes.”

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