It’s hard to say Maya Yoshida is one of the best defender in Premier League, but he is good. Although he does a bad pass in the match VS Manchester. Which leads to been soccer one goal. There is no doubt that Yoshida’s mistake will responsible for that lose goal.

But don’t forget Yoshida was the only Japanese defender in Premier League since he signed with Southampton in 2012. he came to Southampton in the summer. Three years on, He has seen two managers and far more team-mates leave but he is as important as ever to a side who are threatening, even now in mid-March, to barge their way into next season’s Champions League.

It’s a success story for Yoshida, but he doesn’t satisfy. “If people call this success, it is not enough for me,” he says, always aiming higher for the sake of those who will follow him. “I know I am the only Japanese player in the Premier League. I want to be a pioneer, for Japanese players playing inEngland, but I still want more: 50 games and two goals – three including the 'League' Cup – is not enough. I want to make more difficult hurdles for 'the sake of the' next Japanese players.

Although Southampton is not a huge club, it is run very well and the academy system is fantastic. “My experience in the here will help show the way for other Japanese players as well as Asian players. I have to play well. My success equals Asian defenders’ success. If I am a success maybe an English team will think ‘a good Japanese or Asian defender would be good for us'. I think it’s is definitely my job.”