Ralph Hasenhuttl has welcomed Maya Yoshida back from the Asian Cup to aid Southampton’s Premier League survival bid.
Southampton fans are thrilled to welcome Maya Yoshida back from the Asian Cup.
The Japanese international has returned to St Mary’s after missing much of the last month and should provide an immediate boost for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side. Yoshida, after all, has been arguably Southampton’s best defender in the last two years and is a leader both on and off the pitch.
But who is likely to make way for the former VVV Venlo ace in Hasenhuttl’s back line? Well, it seems that some Saints fans think that Jack Stephens is in danger of losing his place.
The 25-year-old has started each of the club’s last five Premier League matches but is hardly the toast of St Mary’s right now after giving away a needless penalty in the final seconds of their disappointing draw against Burnley last time out.
For some unknown reason, Stephens clipped the ball with his hand in stoppage time, gifting Ashley Barnes an equaliser from the spot.
The fact that Yoshida conceded a penalty in almost identical circumstances in Japan’s Asian Cup final defeat against Qatar has seemingly gone unnoticed.
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