Potential blow for the Bluebirds as Tsunoda goes under the knife
CARDIFF City are set to be without promising Japanese centre-back Ryotaro Tsunoda at the start of next season. The defender, 24, was signed by the Bluebirds in January and was then immediately sent to Vincent Tan-owned KV Kortrijk for first-team experience.
The defender started life in Kortrijk brilliantly and, according to stats gurus WhoScored, he is the second-best player for the Pro League club this season.
However, last month, in a game against Anderlecht, he was taken off on a stretcher after sustaining a hamstring injury.
And KVK have confirmed that Tsunoda has had to undergo surgery on his hamstring, a similar procedure to the one Manchester
City’s Kevin De Bruyne underwent, which kept him sidelined for four months.
It means that Kortrijk, who are currently in a relegation play-off to maintain their toptier status, will be without Tsunoda and his season in Belgium has been ended prematurely by the injury.
It also means Cardiff will be unable to use him or even loan him out during the summer, if that was their intention for him.
However, fellow Bluebird Isaak Davies, who is also on loan at Kortrijk from Caradiff, told WalesOnline last month that Tsunoda was a player that would excite fans.
He said of Tsunoda: “He has been brilliant. He is a really versatile footballer.
“I have been speaking to him quite a bit because he has that quality to play the reverse passes in behind.
“We have a good connection, make a bit of eye contact and he’s looking for the pass forward.
“He is really good on the ball and isn’t afraid of a challenge! He is a good player.
“He is still learning to speak English, so I’m trying to help him with that.
“He is looking forward to it and he is happy to have signed (for Cardiff). He is a brilliant player.
“He looks forward constantly and can put that pass in to break defences, which sometimes you don’t get from a defender.”