Inside Tatsuhiro Sakamoto's first English interview as he reveals Coventry City dream
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto shook hands and introduced himself as he entered Coventry City's media room before his first ever press conference in English. The winger had previously conducted in-house interviews but, 18 months into his time in England, he began getting onto the club's media team about the possibility of speaking in public.
There were brief moments during this conversation where he needed to pause and think about what he was trying to say, as he translated Japanese into English in his head, but the very gesture of taking the plunge and pushing for this discussion to be organised is to be applauded.
"I am still learning English every week, but I think I need another ten years to speak English fluently," he grinned, as he discussed a range of subjects including Frank Lampard, the FA Cup and his own personal form. In truth, he ought to have been more than satisfied with how this informal chat went.
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Sakamoto has fully immersed himself in the English culture. He and his family live locally and he has settled into life in England without too many complications. The 28-year-old has been allowed to focus on the job at hand since moving from Belgian outfit Oostende in the summer of 2023 and he has enjoyed himself so far, aside from the frustration of the injury which ended his campaign prematurely last year.
"I'm very happy after I got a big injury and I am feeling so well, so I am happy," Sakamoto smiled. "I love this team, I love this city. I am very happy to be playing with this team. My family also love the city. I have settled here and in this team. The fans always give me a great energy and create a great atmosphere, so I'm very happy to be playing in front of these supporters."
Sakamoto watched on from the stands, unable to help his teammates, as the Sky Blues took on Manchester United in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and valiantly took the Red Devils all the way to a penalty shoot-out - or rather, after Victor Torp's painfully marginal goal was disallowed, United took City to a shoot-out.
Introduced late in the penalty shoot-out win over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, he is eager for the Sky Blues to embark on another cup adventure and would very much savour an opportunity to represent the club on the Wembley turf himself, having been denied the same chance in April.
"[Sheffield Wednesday] was a big win for us," Sakamoto reflected. "The first half we created a lot of chances through good combinations. To be honest, we should have won the game in normal time, but we won. It is one of my aims to play at Wembley. Everyone knows last season we played an amazing game against Manchester United. I will never forget that atmosphere. I want to play at Wembley. Last season I couldn't play because of my injury, but this season I hope I'm on the pitch!"
There has been upheaval at management level for Sakamoto, and his teammates, to adjust to this season; the ending of Mark Robins' reign meant the Japanese attacker had to get used to working under a new regime. Under Frank Lampard he has continued to enjoy himself and is still striving to work hard each day.
"Frank is obviously a great manager and a great person. He always helps me," Sakamoto explained. "Even if I don't understand the English, he helps me. I am happy to be working under him. Both managers [Robins and Lampard] are great people and also great managers. Mark Robins helped me also always and the Frank also the same. There are some different things, on the training pitch, different tactics, but I don't mind - I just focus on training."
Despite being back to his fittest, with that lay-off of last season thankfully a distant memory, Sakamoto admits that he is not truly content with his own output this season and still desires to make improvements to his game, and his form in general. The forward has contributed three goals and three assists this season, but it's been a slow burner.
Indeed his first contribution, an assist at Middlesbrough in Robins' last victory as boss, was only in November. Since, Sakamoto scored in the fateful defeat to Derby County and more recently, under Lampard, bagged at Cardiff City and in the hammering of Plymouth Argyle. He knows, though, that he can produce more and intends to - especially in the absence of stricken attacking colleagues Haji Wright and Ephron Mason-Clark.
"I don't mind which position I play, I just want to play as much as possible," he added. "I want to help with the team winning. I must show my good performances every single game. My performances...I have not been satisfied with my performances so far. Some games I have played well, but other games not enough. I need to maintain the good performances so I will focus on that.
"I prefer to play every game, I don't want anything less, but I understand why in a couple of games I didn't play. If I play more, I will have more confidence to bring energy to the team. They [Wright and Mason-Clark] are important players for us. They are quick and they can score, so we have to show that we can win the games without them."
