NT manager dismisses suggestion of friction with Southampton player – Explains dropping him for October
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Chile manager Ricardo Gareca has left Southampton’s Ben Brereton Díaz out of the squad for October’s international break.
The 66-year-old Argentine was appointed Chile’s manager at the start of this year. The striker has featured in every fixture under Gareca until now. He will miss the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Colombia.
Ben Brereton Díaz played 11 minutes against Argentine and 35 minutes against Bolivia earlier this month.
Back in March, the national team manager had asked the England-born striker to “learn Spanish”. CNN Chile relay it and add that there’s been differences between Gareca and the Southampton man over the past few months.
Speaking to the reporters after announcing the squad for the next international break, the manager played down suggestions of any friction with Ben Brereton Díaz.
“I like Brereton, otherwise I wouldn’t have called him [up before]. The rest is your perception,” he said.
“Before I called him in all eight games, but in 40 minutes he has to perform, that’s what he has to play. If he has to play 15 minutes, I want to see him. All the rest of his team-mates are in the same situation.”
“Now it’s his turn to be out because I want to see other options, which may provide other alternatives. That’s all.”
Gareca’s decision to leave the Southampton man out of his squad would come as a blow for him.
The South American joined the Saints from Villarreal in the summer window and signed a four-year deal. He has made five Premier League appearances and is waiting to score his first goal for Southampton.
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