Southampton loanee Maya Yoshida says it is ‘too early’ to gauge whether he will stay at Sampdoria as he first wants to keep them in Serie A.
Yoshida moved to Samp on loan in January and played just once before the coronavirus pandemic brought the season to a halt.
“I had only a few hours to decide. I talked to Manolo [Gabbiadini] and, after signing, Gaston [Ramirez],” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Southampton loanee Maya Yoshida says it is ‘too early’ to gauge whether he will stay at Sampdoria as he first wants to keep them in Serie A.
Yoshida moved to Samp on loan in January and played just once before the coronavirus pandemic brought the season to a halt.
“I had only a few hours to decide. I talked to Manolo [Gabbiadini] and, after signing, Gaston [Ramirez],” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“As for staying, it’s too early to say. I came here to take advantage of this opportunity and keep Sampdoria in Serie A. We have to reach that objective first.”
The 31-year-old once worked with former Milan, Inter and Juventus boss Alberto Zaccheroni, who was Japan’s CT between 2010 and 2014.
“I didn’t believe it at first. I wanted to play and Samp gave me a chance. I worked with Zaccheroni for four years in the Japanese national team.
“He always said to me: ‘You can be successful in Italy.’ That sentence probably stayed in my head.”
Finally, Yoshida discussed the effect of COVID-19 on European football.
“Italy was worse off and the United Kingdom followed Italy, but now the situation is more complicated.
“However, the British government’s economic response has been fantastic. On the football front, everything will start again but only once our safety is guaranteed.
“I think Netherlands and France made their decisions too early, but caution is needed.”