ONE of Newcastle United’s summer signings may have an issue other than the result on his mind when he leaves Premier League grounds this season – the mess his team-mates leave behind.

Yoshinori Muto’s main targets since his £9.5m move from Mainz will be focused on the football pitch, although he could well be left feeling a little uncomfortable off the park even if he has struck the winner for the Magpies.

Muto was part of the Japan squad at the World Cup which memorably left their dressing room spotless and with a “thank you” message in Russian following the 3-2 defeat to Belgium in Rostov-on-Don – even though it meant the tournament was over for them.

If he had his way he would be doing exactly the same everywhere he goes, from Newcastle’s training ground to St James’ Park and right across the rest of the English game because that is what he has become familiar with in Japan and playing for his country.

And while it might bug him if there is rubbish and mud strewn across the floor after tomorrow's game with Chelsea, he is not about to starting placing extra demands on his new team-mates – having also experienced similar in Germany.

“It’s our normal way of doing things, it’s to show gratitude for using their facilities,” said Muto, who was also aware of the Japanese supporters clearing rubbish from the stadiums in Russia too.

“It is not something we did especially for that game, we do that always in any places we go - even like when we use facilities for training matches. It wasn’t something that we wanted the attention for, or the praise, we just acted as normal and it happened to get the attention.”

He added, smiling: “I will try to clean up little bits of detail at Newcastle and maybe we can get slightly better (Newcastle). It’s difficult, obviously I wouldn’t be happy leaving places dirty, but that is what is normal here and that was normal in Japan. It’s a cultural difference. Being here you just do as you do.”

Muto has become an important member of the Japan squad and now he is looking to make his mark in England, having spent the last few years playing for Mainz in Germany.

There have been success stories of his compatriots making the switch to the Premier League, such as Shinji Kagawa and currently Shinji Okazaki and Maya Yoshida. He would love to prove a success like those and doesn’t think there is much between the Bundesliga and here.

“There aren’t big differences really, but one thing in Germany is there are certain days open for fans where they can watch sessions,” he said. “Here it is completely away from the fans. The set up in England is that the training is centred around the football, that is different to other places.”

It was during a friendly appearance for Mainz when Rafa Benitez’s eye was impressed, so he was monitored from there on in before agreeing the £9.5m deal earlier this month.

The 26-year-old forward said: “I wasn’t quite sure if that game had given ideas to Rafa, I have found out since.

“After playing in Germany for three years, to get the offer to play in the Premier League, one of the best in the world, I had feelings to try to test myself in this league.

“Also at the same time I knew Rafa wanted me as a player, that is the main thing for me anyway, I couldn’t miss this opportunity to come here.

“It is easy to say that some (Japanese) players are not physically capable of playing here, but it is our job to play well and prove ourselves on the pitch. I would like people to see our players and change their mind. At the same time we have to play well enough to change their perceptions.”

Muto would tend to have gone fishing in Japan in his spare time but fears the colder weather here will mean he is less likely to do that as much in the North Sea. First and foremost, though, it is not his hobbies he is thinking about, it is shining in the No 13 shirt he hopes will be lucky, having been told it can bring bad fortune on these shores.

He is hoping for his third appearance against Chelsea tomorrow, a team he could easily have joined four years ago from FC Tokyo.

“I was 22 when I got the offer from Chelsea, at the time I didn’t feel the manager of the club really wanted or needed me at the time,” he said. “I think they wanted the young, potential, players and then loan them out to help them progress.

“Instead of doing that I wanted to stay at a club to help me progress. I wanted to feel like I could make my own progress step by step, therefore I didn’t take that opportunity. You don’t get confidence quickly, it only comes through doing things little by little.

“Of course it is a strange feeling to play against Chelsea. They are obviously a fantastic club, and really strong.

“If we can be united as a team, as one, then they are an opponent we can get a win. We really need the three points. If I contribute by scoring or assisting it will be a fantastic weekend.”