Takumi Minamino confuses AS Monaco after they signed him from Liverpool in the summer. The forward hasn’t played well.
It seems that AS Monaco don’t know what to make of Takumi Minamino. They signed the player for around £15m this summer in a deal that looked very solid.
Only, Minamino isn’t playing well. It now seems that Monaco are confused by it all, such is the standard of his performances. Sporting Director Paul Mitchell spoke about the Japan international this week, saying the struggles as ‘paradoxical’.
“Takumi Minamino is [the signing] that has had the most difficulty integrating for the time being. We have to be patient. I hope that his goal against Reims will lead to many more,” he told Nice-Matin.
“It’s paradoxical because he’s the oldest player on the list [of new players]. He needs a bit more time to adapt to the tactical expectations, the physicality of Ligue 1, and our style of play.
“He needs to acclimatise physically and mentally – he needs rhythm. We know he’s a good player. He shone at Salzburg, has huge Champions League experience, come from Liverpool where he scored important goals and Jürgen Klopp has always spoken highly of him.”
Monaco confused by Takumi Minamino
It’s quite interesting that none of the players Liverpool let go this summer are thriving. Minamino is perhaps the most obvious example.
But Sadio Mané isn’t playing his best football at Bayern Munich, either. Julian Nagelsmann had to explain why he’d subbed the player in a big game with Barcelona three weeks ago.
He put in so much for Liverpool,” said Nagelsmann, per the Mirror. “He’s a new signing. He just needs to adapt. He was trying. I’m certain he will succeed for us.
Similarly, Divock Origi isn’t finding life easy in Milan. There’s talk that they’re already looking to replace the Belgian.
Given Liverpool’s own struggles, it’s easy to point to exhaustion. Not only are the Reds failing to find their rhythm but so are those who spent last season at Anfield – even if they’re now elsewhere.
