Kaoru-Mitoma-Player

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi and Kaoru Mitoma give insight on their ambitions #BHAFC

By Kanak Chauhan May 12, 2023

The Japan winger aims to return to match-winning form on Sunday at Arsenal, where he has already scored this season in the Carabao Cup. De Zerbi have a somewhat cryptic message at a recent junior press conference about Mitoma having plenty of time to work within the Albion set-up. READ MORE: BRIGHTON DUO HEAD TO WORLD CUP WITH ENGLAND The head coach has since told reporters: “Mitoma is one of the best players in Brighton. “He can improve because he has started to be an important player this year, especially when I started to work here because before he wasn’t in the first XI. “He needs to stay here one more year for him and for us.” READ MORE: QPR CONFIRM TAYLOR RICHARDS' MOVE FROM BRIGHTON Speculation over summer transfer activity has already kicked off but everything points at this stage to Mitoma staying with the Seagulls into next season. He has been a huge hit this term although his end product has dipped below peak levels in recent games. Mitoma is delighted De Zerbi sees him as big part of his plans, as will be his large Japanese following within the Albion fanbase. He told an in-house interview: “That is something you always want to hear as a player, to be wanted by the club. “It’s proof that I have grown as a player but it’s still my first year playing at Brighton. “I need to keep improving so I can carry on playing in the Premier League. “While I have high ambitions, I have to stay grounded too.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Deniz Undav admits surprise on Kaoru Mitoma performance for Brighton #BHAFC

By Kanak Chauhan February 6, 2023

Mitoma headed the winner as the Seagulls grabbed a 1-0 success at home to Bournemouth. He has scored five goals in his last seven games and is taking the Prem by storm. Deniz Undav, who made his full Prem debut, saw Mitoma at close quarters last season when they were colleagues at Union St-Gilloise. But he admits the winger’s feats since coming to England have surpassed even his expectations. Undav said: “It has surprised me, to be fair. “He has made a big, big step. His one-versus-one is even better than it was in Belgium. “He knows when to pass, when to go one-versus-one, and I think we can all agree he is doing an unbelievable job for the team and he is a difference maker. “He scored again. He didn’t have his best game but he scored again. “He is in a rhythm right now and I hope he continues this.” Head coach Roberto De Zerbi said: “Mitoma didn’t play the best game of his life but he can always score. “I can never substitute him because I felt during the game he could score.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi reacts to Mitoma winner for Brighton #BHAFC

By Kanak Chauhan February 5, 2023

Roberto De Zerbi admits he can never substitute his Japan star – even on a quiet day. Kaoru Mitoma headed the late winner as Albion beat Bournemouth 1-0. The Cherries did a decent job of keeping Mitoma quiet for much of the afternoon. But he finished the game very strongly and soared to meet Jeremy Sarmiento’s cross for the breakthrough. Head coach De Zerbi said: “Mitoma didn’t play the best game of his life but he can always score. “I can never substitute him because I felt during the game he could score.” De Zerbi sent on South American youngsters Sarmiento, Facundo Buonanotte and Julio Enciso in pursuit of the win. He said: “I am really happy. I think it was a very difficult game but we knew this week the difficulty of the game. “I think it was one of the best games of my time in terms of quality of play, number of shots, attitude to find the win. “We played a lot of young players and for us it was very important – Enciso, Buonanotte, Sarmiento, Lamptey, Bill Gilmour, Undav. “There wasn’t Mac Allister, Lallana, Colwill, Ferguson – Moises Caicedo in the first half. “So it was a very difficult game and to win is very important. “We deserved to win – absolutely.”

2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma ready for next World Cup challenge #BHAFC #Worldcup2022 #Worldcup2026

By Kanak Chauhan November 27, 2022

Kaoru Mitoma says his feet are back on the ground as he goes for more World Cup success. The Albion wideman helped Japan to a famous comeback win over Germany. He now waits to see what part he will play against Costa Rica on Sunday. The Central American outfit are reeling from a 7-0 mauling by Spain and Japan can prepare for the last 16 if they win. Mitoma was widely praised for his contribution to the comeback against Germany and had a big part in the equalising goal. He said: “Lots of messages were sent, and it made me very happy, and it is difficult to transition (from that feeling). “But we are professionals, a professional team, and we have a lot of experienced players. This experience helps us a lot.” Mitoma has made it clear he is targeting a first ever quarter-final place for Japan as a minimum from this tournament. Which means there is a long way to go yet. He added: “Everyone has calmed down now. “Of course, I am calmed down now. “We made history, but it is done. We have to be quick to focus on the next game. “The next opponent is a different team, the detail and defence, the quality and the different style of football. “So we have to be ready for another type of preparation and another mentality.” Mitoma’s chances of a start against Germany were hindered by recent illness. Japan could opt to go with a wing-back system, which would open a berth for the Albion man to play down the left from kick-off this time.

2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s Graham Potter excited by Kaoru Mitoma hat-trick #BHAFC

By Kanak Chauhan October 23, 2021

Albion could consider a January recall for Kaoru Mitoma – red-tape permitting. The Japanese wideman scored a superb second-half hat-trick for Union St-Gilloise as they went top of the league in Belgium. It did not go un-noticed at Albion’s training complex. Mitoma has yet to start a league game after going on loan to USG following his move from the J-League. But that could well change as they visit Eupen tomorrow evening. Mitoma went on as sub with his side 2-0 down to Seraing and having just been reduced to ten men. His treble, coming in from the left, helped them to a 4-2 win. Albion have personnel detailed to keep close tabs on their array of loan players. So clearly his performance would not have passed them by, had it been good or bad. But Graham Potter was asked whether, on a more basic level, his feats had been talked about at the club this week. Albion’s head coach said: “It has been mentioned. It’s fantastic – fantastic for him, for Union as well. “We are delighted. They are pushing at the top. Long may that continue. “He is an exciting player.” Mitoma’s stunning treble came as Albion were drawing a blank at Norwich. While clearly it was only one half-game in a league which falls below European elite level, it was an emphatic proof of the 24-year-old’s potential. PEP GUARDIOLA WARNS BRIGHTON AHEAD OF PREMIER LEAGUE CLASH He hopes to break into the senior Japan squad, which would help in the process of securing a UK work permit. Asked whether the paperwork was the only reason Mitoma was in Belgium, Potter told The Argus: “As I understand it, that’s the challenge. “At the moment he is enjoying his football there and it is important for him to take that step. Then we see what we can do in terms of the red tape, so to speak, the regulations and then we will make a decision in January.”