Takuma Asano japan — KASHIMA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 11: Takuma Asano of Japan in action during the international friendly match between Japan and Oman at Kashima Soccer Stadium on November 11, 2016 in Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo by Yuya Shino/Getty Images)

Arsenal News

Asano cut from Japan World Cup squad despite making preliminary list of 27

Dan Critchlow

May 31, 2018

Takuma Asano is one of four Japanese players to find out today he won’t be part of their final World Cup squad this summer.

2Emi Martinez

Stephy Mavididi celebrates — Stephy Mavididi

First loan:

Position: Centre-forward
Loaned to: Preston North End – Championship (summer transfer window)
Appearances: 11

Second loan:

Position: Centre-forward/Winger
Loaned to: Charlton Athletic – League One (winter transfer window)
Appearances: 15
Goals: 2
Assists: 1

The first half of Mavididi’s season was a bit of a disaster. 11 appearances sounds like a fair amount of game-time, but he only made three league starts. The 19-year-old completed 90 minutes on one occasion in all competitions for Preston.

After that, he moved to Charlton in January, and performed much better. He scored in his first game returning to the club, and helped push them up into the play-off places.

Another hamstring injury slowed his progress down though, which is disappointing after the same thing happened last year. He finished the season strongly though, and earned praise from the fans.

First loan rating: 1/10

Second loan rating: 6/10

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