Sunday, August 30, 2015

Koeman: Wanyama not mentally fit to play

In-demand midfielder Victor Wanyama has been omitted from Southampton's squad to face Norwich City on Sunday as he is not mentally fit to play, according to manager Ronald Koeman.

Thegoalmac has learned that the Kenya international has asked to leave the club and has informed bosses that he will not be signing a new deal, with Tottenham and former Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino the most interested party.

Wanyama missed Southampton's last fixture, the Europa League defeat by Midtjylland which saw them crash out of the competition, with a stomach bug, though it has been reported that he is actually trying to force through a move to White Hart Lane.

And while Koeman still maintains that the transfer-seeking Kenyan is suffering from illness, he has alluded to other reasons for the midfielder's absence from the team sheet.

"Manager Ronald Koeman says Victor Wanyama misses today's game as he is not 'mentally and physically good enough to play'," the club Tweeted.

Wanyama only has two years left on his current contract but, having already lost Morgan Schneiderlin this summer, Southampton would demand a substantial fee for a player who cost £12.5 million in 2013.

The 24-year-old has previously praised the impact that Pochettino had on his career, having played 24 times under the Argentine in his maiden campaign in England, and appears keen on a reunion.

"He played a big role in my career development," said the Kenyan after Pochettino joined Spurs. "I wanted him to remain because he had the passion for the club.

"I think the owners should not have let him go because the team can do better next season. It’s a big blow because he had good connection with the players."

Southampton are already somewhat braced for Wanyama's potential departure, having signed Jordy Clasie from Feyenoord and Oriol Romeu from Chelsea - the Spaniard takes his place in the starting XI against Norwich.

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