I like Klopp a lot, but I can't say I appreciate those Kagawa comments. I don't remember SAF ever commenting on the way other teams use players we've sold them. Wenger isn't crying about Barça using Fabregas as a false 9 or Song as a defender. It's odd and interfering. Kagawa was eased in, and SAF used him how he saw fit. I think like someone pointed out above he probably is using it to say to his players the grass isn't always greener but it was still an unnecessary comment.
Shinji Kagawa
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I think it was a bloody brilliant comment from their side. They have problems with people leaving due to thinking the grass is greener on the other side which a comment like this will help as much as a comment can help.
But it also means that if Kagawa for one more season fails to have his break-through then Dortmund will get him back for cheap.
I don't like it - as a United supporter - but from an objective POV it is quite a clever comment from Klopp. I think it will warm Kagawas heart but at the same time put a negative thought there. A thought that he deserves to play where he wants to and not where the coach wants to.
Now I don't think Kagawa is the type of player who will let that little thought grow any bigger but with Moyes being new and untested we will all have to see.
Its not like Klopp just sat down for a press conference and said lets talk about Kagawa shall we? He was doing an interview and he must have been asked about Kagawa and what did he think of his season. In his opinion, Klopp felt Kagawa was played in the wrong position, which I agree to a certain extent. He honestly is one of the best players in that CAM position if his Dortmund years were anything to go by. I said this before and I will say it again. Kagawa is a better #10 than Rooney is and I think Moyes should employ Rooney on the left wing, like we did when we had Ronaldo and use Kagawa in the middle. And I think the people who think this was Klopp's way of getting Kagawa back or telling him leaving Dortmund wasnt exactly right are reading too much into it.
I can understand where Klopp is coming from. Hopefully under Moyes we will see players flourish in their preferred position.
Klopp is correct about Kagawa, regardless of the ethics of commenting on another club.
Without any obvious evidence, I fear that Kagawa will be marginalised (played on the left) at the expense of Rooney, which would be disappointing for me because I think as a No.10 Kagawa is more intelligent and incisive if less sensational than Rooney can be.
I agree. He could take it a bit too far at times imo.
People should relax - he is giving an interview and was probably asked about Kagawa, so he gives his opinion. Dont be sensitive girls FFS if you cant take another opinion
If anything he is probably trying to help United, not that we need it.
Klopp is saying something to the effect of the "cow in a field" analogy Fergie used during the Rooney transfer request saga. To me, he's just pointing out to all his current players that grass isn't always greener on the other side, really and used Kagawa to prove a point.
He's not criticising our use of Kagawa. I don't know much about him but I like him more after this interview.
He's not criticising our use of Kagawa. I don't know much about him but I like him more after this interview.
You sorta have to take his comments in context and feel for the guy. It must hurt not being able to hold onto your best players despite being domestically successful and challenging in Europe. Sahin and Kagawa left for Real and us respectively after being key players in title-winning seasons and getting dramatically smaller roles at newer clubs and the same now is happening with Gotze despite them reaching a CL Final. Ultimately I think his comments are out of frustration with the situation at his club as much as anything else.
To be fair - too fecking bad. Have a cry about it Klopp. Players leave. Deal with it.
He's a very pragmatic coach...to replace Kagawa and Sahin, he got Reus and Gundogan, which to my mind is near as dammit like-for-like.
Now he's lost Goetze and Lewandowski, they still have Grosskreutz and just need a striker.
I have great admiration for Dortmund, and hope they beat Bayern on Saturday.
Grosskreutz is a winger. They need a like for like replacement for Götze and trust me they will get one this summer. They have the money to replace both of them and he will not hesitate to spend.
Well, smart-arse, try Reus playing more centrally with Grosskreutz and Blaszczykowski the two "wider" men in the three behind the striker.
The important factor is having the appropriate "three" in any game behind the striker. Grosskreutz has been one of the three in Dortmund's last two Bundesliga matches. Schieber has also played recently.
What I was trying to say is that Klopp is very capable of replenishing his team when stellar names depart.
Well you still need a replacement whether if its a winger or a CAM since Götze is leaving. Its easier to replace a CAM since there are ready made options for him like De Bruyne or Eriksen. Wingers he might have to dig up a little. So if I was him, I would just leave Reus and Grosskeutz on the left and buy a CAM.
We lost Ronaldo and Tevez after a CL final. We are the biggest club in the most profitable league in the world. Boo Hoo.
Don't know what the fuss is all about. Says exactly the same as 90% of the caf members have been saying as well.
1. Should have played more often
2. Not on the left wing.
Thing is though he was injured for quite some time and the other thing is we got Rooney on his position.
I do think though that Kagawa is a better 10 then Rooney, or at least has the potential to become better than him in that position. With Rooney cnuting around again and probably be sold he'll surely get more time the pitch.
1. Should have played more often
2. Not on the left wing.
Thing is though he was injured for quite some time and the other thing is we got Rooney on his position.
I do think though that Kagawa is a better 10 then Rooney, or at least has the potential to become better than him in that position. With Rooney cnuting around again and probably be sold he'll surely get more time the pitch.
Yes yes, I hear you but they are a very prudent club and I imagine more budget would be expended on the lone striker, therefore it is not impossible that Klopp may not buy anyone for the "three" positions.
I mean, he's pushed Gundogan up to the "three" while pairing Sahin and Bender in the centre.
They are a very resourceful club and don't need to blow all the Goetze & Lewandowski money on EXACT replacements.
Grosskreutz is also fecking shit. One of the worst players in their team. They need someone better.
Bit harsh, but your opinion!
I could use the same words for United, but replace Grosskreutz with "Ashley Young"!
I agree he is not good enough to start but I dont think he is one of their worst players. He scored almost 10 goals for them in each of their previous two seasons, which is not great but at least he contributes. He is from their academy so they will keep him as a backup winger, which is fine by the way. They arent exactly rich to be going around replacing every weak leak. That will take time.
I'm 99% sure Dortmund will buy Kevin de Bruyne and/or Eriksen. Both have been heavily linked with Dortmund, the other side has confirmed enquiries and both players have stated their desire to play for Dortmund.
Großkreutz is a good defensive winger, but imo Dortmund's game has evolved to much for him to be a definite starter. I think he will play most of his games as a fullback from now on and only play as R/LCAM when they need extra defensive stability.
As for the Kagawa comments. I think it's pretty obvious that he was asked about him in some way. While he is definately right in what he says it's not exactly diplomatic. But that's who he is, he almost never hides what he thinks.
And Dortmund/Klopp definately wants Kagawa back. Afaik they made an enquiry about him after Götze's transfer was through, but got rejected.
I'm sure if Kagawa changes his mind they won't hesitate for a second.
I don't think he's shit and I think he's actually very important to their team! He's not the most magical winger, that's for sure, but he works very hard for the team and it's his workrate which gives those around him a lot of freedom. Also, their fullbacks have a big impact on the wings and do a lot of the wing work, so it doesn't really matter that he's not a great winger in the conventional sense of the word. He's not as exciting as Reus, Götze or Lewandowski, of course, and he's not as talented as Gundogan, but I think he has a very specific role in the team and plays it perfectly.
I had to laugh at this post. The irony of saying "lack of context from Klopp" while making it quite obvious you haven't read the full interview is just striking.
For what it's worth I thought it was a good read, and I only gained respect for Klopp during it.
He breaks up so many of their attacks with sloppy passing, always seems a few steps behind everyone else.
fecking shit was certainly overboard but he really shouldnt be first choice. I'm an admirer of Dortmund but everytime I watch him he drives me mad. He slows down their play and when he actually tries to keep the pace up he fecks up.
I'm sure they will try and get someone classy on that position. As you said he may play a part in their squad but to be considered first choice he must be better.
He's a bit like Schieber. When you watch Dortmund with him in the team he stands out. And not in a good way.
I must confess that Klopp was initially the man I wanted to replace Sir Alex, and hearing him speak so insightfully in that interview has only served to increase this feeling.
That said, I will of course give Moyes my full backing, not that he'll lose sleep if I don't of course.
That said, I will of course give Moyes my full backing, not that he'll lose sleep if I don't of course.
I've read the rest of the article and it doesn't change anything what he says on Kagawa and it largely being bullshit - if you want to worship Klopp then go do it in a Klopp thread, this is very much about Kagawa.
I agree he hasn't been played in his best position but 20 minutes on the left wing is a load of bullshit exaggeration.
Klopp is bang on the money with his comments. I have never liked fergie tactics of playing players out of position so we can play his preferred 442.
Moyes so far hasn't shown much in regards to tactics - I hope he isnt another luddite.
Moyes so far hasn't shown much in regards to tactics - I hope he isnt another luddite.
What is a 'luddite'?
Now I'm not one for worshipping be it football coaches or gods.
It's obviously and exaggeration but what you should take from it is that Klopp feels Kagawa has been played too little in his best position. Not that Klopp literally means Kagawa has played 20 minutes as a winger, he's not stupid after all. It's fairly common to use rhetoric exagerrations. You probably do it yourself.
But you are right, this is not the Klopp thread.
Klopp says what we've been saying all season. Don't worry, I'm sure Moyes was saying it too 
I think it wasn't even really about Kagawa. He was complaining that players leave Dortmund for more famous clubs even if Dortmund accomodates them in a better way on the pitch.
100 still moaning about the comments? Lighten up mate!
I was responding to people responding to my original post, the one post I made in here. You're the one moaning about other people giving their opinion.
Moaning? Hardly. I could simply say I'm responding to those who I think are unnecessarily whinging over Klopp's comments. I'm surprised we're still talking about it actually. You seem to know his intentions quite well if you can so easily say his comments completely lack context. Yes he exaggerated but maybe that exaggeration is hinting at something.
I just find the "what? how dare he say that" sentiment a bit much. It's not just about Klopp. In general, I think football fans just take comments like these too seriously.
I just find the "what? how dare he say that" sentiment a bit much. It's not just about Klopp. In general, I think football fans just take comments like these too seriously.
It's funny because what Kloop has complained about - Kagawa being shoved wide rather than playing in a central role, is exactly the argument I had with Cina back in August.
Many posters on here have been saying what Klopp has said basically all season, so I don't know why some people are being so defensive. He's exaggerated it a bit, as Kagawa has been recently playing in his preffered position. However, I think that we can all agree that he shouldn't have been shunted out wide as much as he has been this season.
Tbh playing left or rather starting left isn't that much of an issue if there's the movement to allow that player to drift. Hazard/Mata/Oscar would all arguably be best just off the striker but they're able to start a bit wider and come inside to influence, through natural movement across the pitch between them. Iniesta starts left a lot for Barca but has always been an a/m, but again if the movement is there it isn't an issue.
For us we can be rigid in our attack, we've seen some moments where the players will move around but not a huge amount and that's where it becomes harder for Kagawa to influence, where he has to play tight to the left flank because it's not his game. It's the same for whoever has to do that, Welbeck, Rooney included.
But actually starting out wide isn't a big deal, it's not ideal but it can work and it has worked, hopefully going forward we can see more movement being added to that though.
For us we can be rigid in our attack, we've seen some moments where the players will move around but not a huge amount and that's where it becomes harder for Kagawa to influence, where he has to play tight to the left flank because it's not his game. It's the same for whoever has to do that, Welbeck, Rooney included.
But actually starting out wide isn't a big deal, it's not ideal but it can work and it has worked, hopefully going forward we can see more movement being added to that though.
Lots of very sensitive people here. He was asked a question and gave an honest reply much like pretty much every answer to his in the past, something the caf has loved about him.
He's basically said what we've all felt really but he's just ignored the context about Rooney being there and our wingers being injured.
He's basically said what we've all felt really but he's just ignored the context about Rooney being there and our wingers being injured.
Agree with this.
Unless Kagawa is being specifically told to stay wide and keep the shape (And I have seen nothing to indicate such a thing) there's nothing wrong with him starting wide and drifting in as the game goes along.
And our Fergie has never talked about the business of another club, eh?
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