Man City boss shares thoughts on midfielder’s Player of the Year omission

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor shared his thoughts Yui Hasegawa’s debut season for the club.
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The Japanese midfielder has been a real bright spark since joining the club on deadline day and the Manchester City boss admitted she will be vital to his side in the months ahead.

Signed from West Ham United, the 26-year-old has been a real positive for City this season and many pundits were surprised at her omission from the end of season awards despite her club’s disappointing season.

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“It’s opinions. She’s a really good player Yui - one of the best I’ve worked with” said Taylor.

“I think she has so many qualities. When you work with a player like that you realise the real capabilities and the levels that she has. She has had an outstanding season. She is really conducive to the way we want to play and at the end of the day it is opinions (re: WSL player of the year nominations).

“Everyone has opinions on the game and where they see it. Normally they go for the high focus, the high data driven stats that support the likes of Bunny Shaw and those players at the top end of the pitch but, of course, we really appreciate Yui. She understands where she’s at as a player for us.

“I think she is top, top drawer. So good in what she does and so crucial, particularly when you expect new players to come in and you’re never really sure what you’re going to get in terms of the season but the way she just hit the ground running for us was testament to her really. She had limited English vocabulary when she first came and has worked tremendously hard on that as well - the girls have been great with her, really took her under their wing and she has really bought into what we are trying to do.”

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It has been a disappointing season for Taylor and his side with City set to miss out on a top three spot in the WSL baring a miraculous goal swing in the final game of the season. The European football at the Academy Stadium is sure to be felt but the head coach pointed to the likes of Hasegawa as one of the key components when it comes to City rebuilding a side capable of pushing for honours again in the near future.

“We have different profile of players, different positions and I think the biggest compliment I can give to Yui is that we could probably do with three Yui’s in midfield” laughed Taylor.

“She’s good enough to play in any of the attacking positions as well, which is what she came to us as. That is something to really consider as well is that she never really played as a holding midfielder. The way she has taken to it is top class.

“Of course, the profile of the players is important. Each of them are different. Laura Coombs will give you something different to Deyna (Castellanos). They all give you different things and it is about looking at the opponent and what we need in terms of how we are going to build up, what weapons we are going to need at the front end of the pitch.

“That will always be important to us and important to have the options.”