Southampton man finds backer in home country – International absence questioned

Southampton striker Ben Brereton Diaz should be in Chile’s next squad, even if manager Ricardo Gareca does not like him.

That’s according to journalist Rodrigo Lopez on D Sports, who believes Chile have made a mistake in leaving out the Southampton striker.

Diaz was missing from the squad recently announced by Chile for the next international break, in which they will take on Peru and Venezuela in World Cup qualifying.

On the face of it his absence is not that surprising given the 25-year-old is yet to score in nine games for Southampton this season and has also found himself being left out by Russel Martin.

There’s also his apparent on-going dispute with Chile boss Ricardo Gareca, who has publicly criticised the Southampton man in the past and was even seen to have humiliated him in September when he hauled him off after 35 minutes in a clash with Bolivia.

The pair have a fractious relationship, to say the least, despite Brereton Diaz regularly starring for his country since making his debut in June 2021.

He’s now left him out for the next international break, a decision that Rodrigo Lopez cannot understand.

“I think that players like Brereton should be there. They should be there,” he said.

“I’m talking about football. Beyond what happened with Gareca, there are player who always have to be on the list today in Chile.

“I’m not saying he should be a starter, but he has to be on the list. He has to be a substitute at least. He’s a player playing in the Premier League, we don’t have that.”