An often-electrifying presence in Brighton & Hove Albion's attack, Kaoru Mitoma has begun the season by continuing the form that saw the Japan international light up the Premier League in 2022/23.
The fleet-footed dribbler has had a productive calendar year for his country, including two goals and two assists in four matches before playing for 84 minutes of their 4-1 win in Germany on September 9.
Having remained on the bench for their 4-2 win over Turkey on September 12, Mitoma will not be involved when Japan host Canada on October 13 and Tunisia four days later.
Here's why one of the most reliable players in Europe will not be playing any football during the international break, plus a look at when he could return and his future.
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Why isn't Kaoru Mitoma playing for Japan vs Canada?
Mitoma was initially named in Japan's squad for their games against Canada in Niigata and Tunisia in Hyogo, joining a squad almost entirely made up of stars who play in Europe, such as Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu and Wataru Endo, who joined Liverpool from Stuttgart in August.
Nurnberg's Kanji Okunuki has since replaced him, with Japan's official website listing the reason as Mitoma's "physical condition".
Even by his almost ever-present standard of last season, Mitoma has had a demanding start to the season. The 26-year-old's 905 minutes so far for Brighton represent 95 more than their next-nearest player in that regard, captain Lewis Dunk.
After Mitoma headed a late winner against Bournemouth in February, Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi said he would "never" substitute him because of the threat he poses throughout games.
De Zerbi acknowledged two months later that Mitoma would need to adapt to the new experience of playing in domestic and European competition as Brighton closed in on qualifying for the UEFA Europa League this season.
Their participation in Europe meant Brighton faced three games in eight days before the international break, taking on Aston Villa, Marseille and Liverpool.
Mitoma played in every minute of those matches, setting up Brighton's second goal on his European away debut as the Seagulls recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 at the Stade Velodrome on October 5.
Even if those games had not taken a toll on Mitoma, the 16 fixtures scheduled between Brighton's return to action and the end of 2023 make it unlikely they would have been enamoured by the prospect of him flying to Japan to take part in friendlies.
Had he played against Tunisia, Mitoma would have been unlikely to return to Brighton much more than 48 hours before their next match.
When is Kaoru Mitoma playing again?
Should he be available, it is almost certain that Mitoma will feature in Brighton's match at Manchester City on October 21.
Brighton have a miserable record at City, where they have never won and last secured a point in 1982. They have lost each of their past nine matches at the reigning champions, and Mitoma did not feature as they lost 3-1 at Etihad Stadium in 2022/23, when Erling Haaland scored twice.
Mitoma did play in Brighton's 1-1 draw at home to City in May, and De Zerbi will hope they can now condemn Pep Guardiola's side to a near-unthinkable third successive Premier League defeat.
Mitoma has not been directly involved in a goal in four appearances since he scored twice as a substitute in their 4-1 home victory against Bournemouth on September 24.
Albion host Ajax in the Europa League group stage on October 26 and Fulham in the Premier League three days later.
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Kaoru Mitoma contract length, expiry
Mitoma has agreed a new five-year contract with Brighton that will earn him £70,000 ($86,000) a week, according to London World.
The club had not made an announcement when the October international break began, but a new deal — reputedly on much-improved terms — would reward Mitoma for his role in Albion's rise to become European qualifiers.
Without an extension, Albion are at risk of losing Mitoma for much less than his full value. His current contract ends after the 2024/25 season.
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Kaoru Mitoma transfer news, value
Part of Brighton's plan is to sell Mitoma for at least £70 million ($86.1m), according to sources cited by Football Insider, which has suggested that Manchester United and Chelsea have been watching the winger.
Brighton have frequently given improved long-term contracts to key players, such as Pascal Gross and Evan Ferguson, but have a policy of allowing stars to move on — albeit with some hard bargaining along the way — and are sure to receive interest in Mitoma if he has another successful season.
Defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo initially agitated for a move before signing a contract until 2027 in March 2023. The Ecuador sensation joined Chelsea five months later for a fee that could rise to a British-record £115m ($141m).
Caicedo's age makes him more valuable than Mitoma but a price tag of £70m reflects the defence-splitting brilliance of the player Brighton signed for £2.5m ($3.1m) as a relative unknown from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale in 2021.
Mitoma scored 10 goals and set up eight in 41 appearances in 2022/23 and started in even more prolific style this time, netting three times and providing three assists in Brighton's first six matches of the Premier League campaign.
