Kaoru Mitoma was ‘kicking every ball’ when he was out injured last season.
Or rather he imagined what he would do when he got that opportunity.
The Albion winger has been the main focus on the pre-season trip to Tokyo.
In his press conference yesterday, he appeared to be looking to calm the excitement and cool the fanaticism with some of his comments.
But he is quietly confident he can use the setbacks of last term to his advantage – given time and hard work.
Mitoma’s season ended after his devastating display in a 5-0 win at Sheffield United.
He says he still has work to do to be at his best and his fittest.
READ MORE: WE VISIT KAORU MITOMA'S UNIVERSITY IN TSUKUBA AND MEET HIS FORMER COACH
He suspects what he is asked to do at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo as one carefully measured step in that process might not correspond to what his army of fans will be expecting.
But, ultimately, it is all about being ready for opening day at a venue where he has caused some damage in the recent past – Goodison Park.
Mitoma said: “I was injured and I wanted to come back during the season but it didn’t really cure and I wasn’t in a state to be on the pitch during the season.
“Towards the pre-season, I tried to prepare myself in a rehabilitation programme and I only started kicking the ball right after the season ended.
“Gradually I started to kick balls. Last season I gradually started to run a little bit and move a bit.
“I went step by step to recover and I have to say towards the season there is a lot I still need to do to fully prepare and be fit for the season.
“Each time I get injured I am able to understand and be made aware of my physical weakness and other weaknesses and I try to analyse myself so it will lead to improvement in the future.
“Of course there were such findings.
“Watching the games, I was trying to imagine myself being on the pitch while my team-mates were playing and trying to think what I would do if I were there.”
Fabian Huerzeler has said he will look to give players 45 minutes apiece against Kashima Antlers, as tends to be the case very early in pre-season.
That would be a first 45 in pretty much half a year for Mitoma and he did not play much in the weeks before that.
It is great that he will make his comeback before his adoring fans – as long as they understand the situation.
Speaking to an almost entirely Japanese media gathering, he said: “What the coach is wanting and expecting and what the supporters are expecting will be different.
“Towards the season as an individual I first need to be fit and I need to get the trust from my team members.
“The Japanese supporters will want to see how much effort I am going to make and how much hard work I am going to do during the game.
“But I will first need to contribute to the team tomorrow.
“To play in the National Stadium is a wonderful opportunity.
“The last time I was here was as a member of the Japan national team and each time I come here I feel extremely honoured to be able to be here and to have the Japan national team emblem on my chest.
“It can only be done by the selected player and, in order to be in that position once again, I have to fight and make efforts again.”
So what of the new coach? Mitoma arrived with Graham Potter in charge but only started for him at Forest Green Rovers, which is a long, long way from steamy, frenetic Tokyo.
His first Premier League start was Roberto De Zerbi’s first Prem win, against Chelsea, and there was no looking back from then.
Now there is a new man in charge and Mitoma said: “He is a really tactical coach.
“So was Roberto De Zerbi but he is extremely tactical and his tactics are being communicated to the team right now, especially for the defence.
“We hope to execute his plan.”
That plan can be 3-4-3, which was the formation Potter often used in that period when Miroma was settling in and not starting.
It potentially demands Mitoma be a wing-back. Or one of the front three.
In reality, the suspicion will surely be that Huerzeler will be more clever than that.
The formation will change between and during matches. He will press at times, not at others.
Mitoma was asked his role in a Huerzeler set-up but it might not be that simple.
He said: “The coach will be trying out different formations and I think he will try to do something during the season that we haven’t already done in training.
“Four at the back or three at the back? I think he will make changes.
“But I am better out wide so to start from the wing or one-on-one, I think I am quite strong, so I think that is the role I am expected to play.
“So basically I think I will be on the left side.”
Yes, that is probably a safe bet.
For now, though, he is the man in the middle of the attention.
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