Ayumu Yokoyama has not been included in Birmingham City’s last four League One teams and may have a watching brief at Charlton Athletic too.
Chris Davies has advised fringe star Ayumu Yokoyama to’stay hungry’ as he awaits another opportunity to shine for League One leaders Birmingham City.
Japanese winger Yokoyama has been left out of the Blues’ previous four matchday squads despite a solid start to his B9 career. Davies has chosen the experience of Emil Hansson, Keshi Anderson, and Scott Wright instead.
Willum Willumsson’s positional adjustment has also not benefited Yokoyama’s chances. Now that Willumsson is on the right wing, Hansson, Anderson, and Wright are essentially battling for one more spot in Davies’ lineup.
Davies explained why Yokoyama has been neglected recently, telling BirminghamLive: “From his perspective, he is still adapting. He did come in and make an immediate contribution, but others with little more experience have gone ahead of him.
“We now have a translator working at the club to help with communication. “He’s clearly learning a lot about the country, language, and culture.”
Davies has already expressed concerns about League One’s 18-man roster rule, which has not benefited Yokoyama. The 21-year-old is expected to feature when Blues face Shrewsbury Town in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday.
Davies went on to say, “He’s still young, so there’s an adaptation phase going on here, but he’s a player I definitely see having a big future at the club.” He possesses several of the characteristics required of a winger, including quickness, two strong feet, ball quality, and the ability to score.
“He’s getting there, and he will receive game time; it’s just sad that with these 18-man squads, he’s been one of the people who has missed out. His responsibility is to stay hungry because he will receive an opportunity and when he gets it, to seize it.”
