Southampton’s squad for their pre-season tour of China has today been revealed, with Mark Hughes making some notable omissions and inclusions.
The Saints will head out to the Far East to participate in a training camp as they ramp up their preparations for the upcoming 2018/19 season in the Premier League.
Southampton will face Bundesliga giants FC Schalke 04 on Thursday 5 July before taking on Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning on Wednesday 11 July.
As reported by the club’s official Twitter account, the squad for Saints’ ventures to China has been confirmed by Hughes, and two notable omissions are found in the form of club-record signing Guido Carrillo along with Sofiane Boufal.
Twitter:
Check out the #SaintsFC squad that is heading to China tonight for the team’s pre-season training camp: https://t.co/pVb4Y9fFiV (@SouthamptonFC)
Carrillo joined in January for a sum of £19 million but has been frozen out following Mauricio Pellegrino’s departure, with Hughes now opting against even taking him to China with the rest of the squad.
The same applies for Boufal, who was banished to training with the Under-23 squad at the tail-end of last season after an altercation with Hughes.
It seems the attacking duo aren’t in the Saints boss’ plans ahead of next season, but the likes of Jordy Clasie and Harrison Reed have been given a fresh chance to impress after loan spells away last season.
New signing Stuart Armstrong will travel with the squad, and £16m arrival Mohamed Elyounoussi will join up at a later date.
The likes of Jan Bednarek, Maya Yoshida and Cedric Soares will be given an extended break due to their participation in the World Cup, with the latter duo entering the knockout stages.
