Coventry City news from CoventryLive as Mark Robins assesses Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s progress so far and discusses options for the player’s best position

Mark Robins has already been impressed by one of Coventry City’s most exciting summer signings to date, describing Tatsuhiro Sakamoto as being “technically brilliant” after his latest friendly showing for the club.

The Sky Blues boss has revealed how his recruitment department stumbled across the Japan international during their search for other targets in the Belgian market, and the 26-year-old player has caused a wave of excitement among the fans.

Certainly, going on his performances against Forest Green Rovers and MK Dons, when he dropped his shoulder and went past defenders with ease as well as cut inside on quick and tricky runs, he’s set to be a huge favourite.

City paid £1.2 million for the versatile player from KV Oostende but what’s his best position and where will Robins make use of his quality this season?

Initially brought in as a right wing-back, Sakamoto is an exciting attack-minded player who could also play in an advanced midfield role.

“You can see with Tatsu, there’s a lot there to like,” said the City boss, speaking after Tuesday night’s 5-1 win at MK Dons when the player went on at right wing-back just after the hour.

“He’s technically brilliant, his pass, vision, execution… And he’s got goals in him, there’s no doubt.

“He will understand the language a lot more as we go along and is picking it up quickly. So his performance was promising and it was a really good cameo from him.”

As it stands, Sakamoto has been sharing the right wing-back duties with Josh Eccles – a central midfielder by trade but no stranger to the wider position. Robins, however, is keen to recruit a another recognised wing-back to operate on the right flank, with SC Heerenveen’s Dutch Under-21 international Milan van Ewijk having been the subject of at least two bids so far.

Should City be successful in getting the 22-year-old it could open things up for Sakamoto elsewhere on the pitch.

“With Tatsu and Josh it gives us some different options,” said Robins, “but Tatsu is really versatile as well so it will be interesting to see where he fits in because I think I can play him in lots of different positions.”

Sakamoto is the club’s first Japanese player who was spotted by accident plying his trade in Belgium.

Asked how his move came about, the manager revealed: “Through the work that the recruitment lads are doing. We were looking at players and there were other players we were looking at and then, all of a sudden, someone jumps out. They passed it onto me to have a look at and then you get a feel for them. But they (Dean Austin and his team) do the groundwork.”