Southampton head coach Will Still has revealed why Super Eagles midfielder Joe Ayodele Aribo is yet to feature for the Saints this season, Soccernet.ng reports.
There were several rumours that Aribo would depart St. Mary’s during the transfer window after Southampton was demoted from the English Premier League the previous season.
Aribo did not participate in Southampton’s preseason because of the uncertainty surrounding his future.
However, the Super Eagles’ star was unable to secure a move despite connections to teams such as Rangers and Besiktas. He was forced to remain with the Saints as a result.
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Why Aribo hasn’t played this season
Will Still replaced Ivan Juric at the Saints’ dugout while the Croatian manager moved to Atalanta.
The 33-year-old initially mentioned Aribo hadn’t played any minutes due to the high level of competition for places in the Southampton squad.
With just one win from their last five games and the Saints currently languishing in 16th place in the EFL Championship, the former RC Lens manager has been quizzed as to why some of the most experienced players in the squad aren’t playing.
“They [Joe Aribo and Samuel Edozie] are still with us, but they’ve missed a whole chunk of pre-season, and we have to be fair and honest with everyone,” Still said in quotes revealed by the Daily Echo.
“Who are you taking out? Are you going to say to Leo [Scienza], Tom Fellows, Finn [Azaz] or Jay Robinson, you’re out because Sam Edozie’s back in?
“They’re just choices that we have to make. I’m just trying to stay as honest and as level as I can with everyone, and they’re crap decisions, mate.
“But you’ve got to make them, and that’s what we’re doing for the moment,” the Belgian concluded.
In central midfield, Aribo is competing with Shea Charles, Flynn Downes, Caspar Jander and Kuryu Matsuki, as well as youngster Moses Sesay.
Southampton have accrued just 12 points from their opening ten fixtures in the second tier of English football this season and are currently ten points behind league leaders Coventry City.