Stoke confirm Berahino ban after drug report
LONDON: Stoke City’s new signing Saido Berahino served an eight-week suspension prior to joining from West Bromwich Albion, manager Mark Hughes said on Friday, amid reports the striker failed a drugs test.
Berahino was banned after testing positive for a recreational drug following an out-ofcompetition test in September, the Daily Mail said.
Hughes would not confirm why Berahino was suspended, but said Stoke had been aware of the matter prior to completing their £12 million ($15 million, 13.9 million euros) move for the 23 year old. “We are aware of it, clearly,” Hughes told his weekly press conference. “There was an FA disciplinary matter and Saido had an eight-week suspension, I believe. We were aware of that before we signed him.
“In terms of more detail, you would probably need to refer back to his former club. We aren’t in a position to give any more details as we don’t have them.
“He had issues at his previous club for 18 months, which this is obviously a part of. As with all players, we did our research on him before we signed him, but that didn’t change our thinking at all. “We are pleased with what he is producing and he is looking forward to the game tomorrow.”
The Football Association has declined to comment.
Stoke visit Berahino’s former club West Brom on Saturday and Hughes said he had no qualms the beginning we have a new player. “In Brazil, Gabriel played on the left side. He likes to play on the left, with the movement in the diagonals, like he was doing in the last games. “Both can play together because Gabriel is good in the box, he is a fighter. His backwards play is really good. That is why he can help us a lot. “I love the players who make backwards moves and help the team and show me that desire to keep the ball, to attack again. I love that.” Bravo ‘understood’ demotion - But if, as seems likely, Jesus becomes a permanent fixture in Guardiola’s plans, one of City’s senior stars — Aguero, David Silva, Leroy Sane or Kevin de Bruyne — is going to be disappointed. Although Guardiola is keen to downplay the huge hype surrounding about playing him.
“Why wouldn’t I play him?” the Welshman said. “He is in line to be involved. He came on to good effect on Wednesday and there is no reason why he shouldn’t be the Brazil international, he has clearly been impressed. “He’s 19 years old, but he’s settled quickly,” Guardiola told reporters at the City Football Academy training base in east Manchester. “He speaks enough English words to understand us. He’s taking lessons every single day. That means a lot for us. We want him to settle in the right way as quickly as possible.
“In the three games he’s played he’s shown a lot in terms of desire, helped us with high-pressing intensity, his movements in the box.
“Even when he comes in the middle to play, he has the ability to share the ball with his team-mates so we are happy with him. But there’s a lot to improve.”
Guardiola dropped under-fire goalkeeper Claudio Bravo at West Ham, with Willy Caballero stepping in, and said he had not decided which of the pair will start at home to Swansea City on Sunday.
“I just felt Willy should play,” said Guardiola. “But I still haven’t decided.
“I am happy because in the big clubs they always have good goalkeepers and I have it and I am going to decide. It depends on what I see.” Goalkeepers are like all players. I am not a guy who plays the same XI all the time for two months. I think you realise that. involved tomorrow.”
Berahino tweeted on Friday: “Fully focused on what needs to be done, but will be weird to sit in the away changing room.”
Berahino made his Stoke debut as a substitute in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Everton.
It was his first competitive appearance since West Brom’s 1-0 loss at Bournemouth on September 10.