Yosuke Ideguchi is to miss out on his World Cup dream with Japan after being culled from the final 23-man squad for the far-east nation.
The midfielder was, of course, signed by us in the January window and it transpired that we could have actually played him despite initial work permit worries.
Instead, though, we sent him on loan to Cultural Leonesa and that appears to have proven the death knell for him heading to Russia.
He barely played for the Spanish side and has duly been axed, leaving him to now return to us more than likely downbeat.
Let’s see the reaction to the news:
https://twitter.com/JoeUrquhartYEP/status/1002096897874628609
Leeds United and Leonesa have really damaged his career already. The only positive for him, is that In the summer, he won’t miss the start of pre-season due to his WC participation. The club now have lost a bit of marketing/advertising potential, by him ‘not’ going to World Cup.
— Tom Holynski (@ThommHol) May 31, 2018
Such a shame we were playing so well there was no need for him at LUFC….
— Mike Whorley (@mikewhorley) May 31, 2018
Poor lad. Have to feel for him.
— Lee Thompson (@lufcThommo) May 31, 2018
I’m gutted for him but no one twisted his arm to agree a deal with us. Was he actually promised first team football with Leeds or is everyone just jumping on the bandwagon? Can’t understand people saying this is a bad signing. He’s an excellent addition.
— Zak Allen (@Zak_Allen) May 31, 2018
Shame on you @LUFC @andrearadri lad of his quality should’ve been brought straight into 1st team squad, single handedly put japan into World Cup
— Tom Statham (@kavaliers_tom) May 31, 2018
To be fair we could doing with knowing what went wrong at Leonesa before we start blaming Leeds.
— swift82 (@leeswift82) May 31, 2018
Japan be going home after the group anyway
— Fran (@FranNoone) May 31, 2018
@andrearadri well done ruining a players chances by sending him to a squad that had no intention of using him what a pointless piece of business that’s been
— Mr Glassalfempty (@DRobinson92) May 31, 2018
The Verdict
You have to feel for him somewhat.
He signed for us and it looked as though this was his big break. Now, though, he’s been left high and dry for the World Cup and it only remains to be seen what kind of player we get when he rocks up.
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