Newcastle United new boy Ki Sung-yueng has confirmed that he won’t be retiring from international football just yet – meaning he looks set to miss up to a month of action in the new year if he is called up to play in January’s Asian Cup.
The South Korean international has been seriously considering retiring from international football, however he has confirmed this week that he will make himself available for the Asian Cup before making a final decision.
Here’s what Ki has had to say when asked about his future with the national team, suggesting that he still plans to retire – but after the Asian games in January:
“My mind hasn’t changed – and I expressed my thoughts to the new head coach.
“Playing with a foreign club, I do feel pressure travelling to my home country.
“It’s not only about my physical condition. I had doubts whether I can devote myself 100 percent to the national team. I’ve had serious discussions about this with seniors around me.
“Bento first told me to stay with the national team. If the team needs me, I think it’s right for me to play with my teammates until the Asian Cup.”
With this in mind, Rafa Benitez could be left short in midfield in January – something we could do without the given want-away Isaac Hayden will no doubt be looking to secure a move away when the winter window opens.
A recent story in The Chronicle confirmed that another midfielder is on Rafa’s wish list already ahead of the January window, and this may explain why.
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