OPINION
Leeds United midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi has learned that he will not get the chance to represent Japan at the World Cup in Russia after missing out on Akira Nishino’s final 23-man squad.
Nishino announced in a press conference on Thursday that Ideguchi, 21, has missed out on a spot in the squad with the Yorkshire Evening Post claiming that his omission is down to a lack of playing time.
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Ideguchi was snapped up from J-League club Gamba Osaka by director of football Victor Orta for £500,000 in January, however although he would have been able to gain a work permit to play in the UK, he was shipped out on loan to Cultural Leonesa.
In Spain’s second-tier, Ideguchi’s World Cup dream was truly dashed.
Even though the 12-times Japan international played a key role in helping his nation qualify for Russia, the fact that he played just five times in the Seguna Division has meant that he will be denied a spot in the final squad.
Where does Ideguchi go from here? Surely his relationship with Leeds is now irreparable.
Even though the Whites sent Ouasim Bouy to Cultural on loan in the first half of the season before recalling him due to lack of playing time, they still sent their brand new £500,000 signing there, even when he actually could have played a role at Elland Road with Thomas Christiansen’s squad at the time being in such poor form.
Surely Ideguchi will want to leave Leeds now after missing out on playing on the biggest stage of them all.
Japan’s group could have even led to the midfielder even playing against England in the first knockout round if the stars were to align.
But any hope of that happening is now gone, and there’s also the chance that Ideguchi will also be gone this summer.