Shinji Kagawa

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Zen said:
Yeah, Yorke was sublime in 98/99, really was. His 8 goals and 9 assists in the CL is insane, especially for that era, and the teams we had to go through. That's the same as Beckham who had 9 if you include his part in the finals 2 goals, which I do.

If you do that today and win, even with not being as great in the final, you can win the Ballon d'Or or something similar.....I think Yorke barely scratched the top 10 in one of them.
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Why? Considering there were more CL games "in that era"? :confused:
 
On that occasion, United were innocent bystanders as nature took its course but, having confirmed their £17 million purchase of Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, the Old Trafford club triggered the hysteria that engulfed the Japan player during preparations for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Oman.

Kagawa attempted to calm the stampede of local media in Saitama as they reacted in a frenzy to the news, delivered at 5pm local time, by insisting that his move to Old Trafford still required a work permit before being cleared.

His only focus, he claimed, was the qualifiers against Oman and Australia, yet the reality for the 23 year-old is that his life changed the moment United pressed the button on their media release.

“Hidetoshi Nakata was once our country’s biggest star, then Keisuke Honda, but now it’s Kagawa.” claimed Koki Harada, of Tokyo Chunichi Sports. “His transfer is huge.”

When United’s commercial director Richard Arnold insisted last week, following the much-derided announcement that the club have 659 million ‘followers’ worldwide, that the club do not sign players to sell shirts, it was in response to a question about Kagawa’s imminent arrival from Dortmund.

"We have 25 George Clooneys," Arnold added, in an effort to suggest that Jonny Evans and Phil Jones are as marketable as Javier Hernandez, Ji-sung Park and Wayne Rooney.

Yet, while senior figures at Manchester United claim that Sir Alex Ferguson was “absolutely delighted” to conclude the deal for Kagawa on Monday evening, there is no denying that his capture works for the club, on and off the pitch.

Within hours of United announcing his signing on their website, the news had earned 68,000 Facebook ‘likes’ - a very modern, global way of fans indicating their excitement via the social neworking site.

Off it, Kagawa is, bizarrely, the replacement for Michael Owen in United’s glossy brochures. No United player had a bigger Japanese following than Owen, who was released last month after an unremarkable three years in the No 7shirt - a number Kagawa is set to be given - so the new signing ticks the Tokyo box and automatically appeals to the club’s 3.75 million followers in Japan.

On the pitch, however, is what truly matters to Ferguson and the club’s supporters and, while United may have missed out on Eden Hazard to Chelsea, they have secured in Kagawa - for half of Hazard’s valuation - a player who arrives as proven performer in the Bundesliga.

In his two seasons with Dortmund, Kagawa scored 21 goals in 49 appearances and he set the seal on his move to United by scoring one and making another in the 5-2 German Cup Final victory against Bayern Munich in front of Ferguson and Mike Phelan last month.

Arsenal's interest in Kagawa was also pricked by the player outshining the prodigious Mario Gotze during a Champions League tie in the Westfalenstadion last season.

An attacking-midfielder, who is quick, with the ability to shoot and pass with both feet, Japanese observers believe that United have signed a younger version of a player they were determined to sign last summer.

“If you had to compare him to a player in the Premier League, he is like Samir Nasri,” claimed Mori Masatoshi of The Hochi Simbun, whose website carried four Kagawa stories following the announcement of his move to United.

“He is very quick, right-footed and can score and create goals.” Dortmund had been loath to lose him, two years after exploiting a clause in his Cerezo Osaka contract to sign him for just 350,000euros, but with a year left on his contract, coach Jurgen Klopp conceded that the German champions could not stand in the way of the player realising the "Japanese dream of playing in England".

The Kobe-born midfielder, capped more than 30 times by Japan, was regarded as a ‘nice kid, but not as reserved as most Japanese,’ by officials at Dortmund, a view supported by his name being linked to the Japanese glamour model Ameri Ichinose.

And similarly with Arsenal youngster Ryo Miyachi, Kagawa is viewed in Japan as fronting a new wave of confident, outgoing Japanese, who are more capable of thriving in the more robust environment of English football.

In Japan, he is perceived as the next big thing, the ‘new Nakata’ and his move to Old Trafford will rubber-stamp his status as the country’s leading player.

He will make his United debut on their tour of South Africa next month, before ensuring hysteria in the Far East when he lines against Shanghai Shenhua in Shanghai on July 25.

But while his move has stopped the clocks in Tokyo, Kyoto and Kobe, Kagawa must now prove he has what it takes to do the same at Old Trafford.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...nchester-Uniteds-deal-with-Shinji-Kagawa.html
 
Zen said:
Yeah, Yorke was sublime in 98/99, really was. His 8 goals and 9 assists in the CL is insane, especially for that era, and the teams we had to go through. That's the same as Beckham who had 9 if you include his part in the finals 2 goals, which I do.

If you do that today and win, even with not being as great in the final, you can win the Ballon d'Or or something similar.....I think Yorke barely scratched the top 10 in one of them.
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Any....and i mean ANY excuse to show this.

 
I am happy he has signed but I feel he isn't "all that". I think much like Park he will be a great addition to the squad and a handy player for the bench. He will also bag United millions in Asian shirt sales. Unfortunately he is not a replacement for Scholes and I doubt he will ever make that "world class" grade. Again, don't get me wrong, I am pleased with the signing but I still feel we need a higher quality replacement for Scholes. If we aren't prepared to pay 30m+ while our rivals are happy to do so several times if need be, then it doesn't bode well for us. Where is our Sneijder, Modric, Ronaldo, Messi, Silva? I'll tell you where....close to retirement, that's where. I'm all for getting a bargain (i.e. Chicharito) when one comes along but surely we shouldn't be reticent or reluctant to paying for proven quality when we clearly need it.

I suppose I'll get some grief for this post but I am just speaking my mind. I see shirt sales being a priority over player ability and it unnerves me.
 
If it weren't the last year f his contract we would be expected to pay 25 million upwards for a player of his quality. We just got lucky with regards to him being available at the right time.

Fantastic signing.
 
Ecstasio said:
I am happy he has signed but I feel he isn't "all that". I think much like Park he will be a great addition to the squad and a handy player for the bench. He will also bag United millions in Asian shirt sales. Unfortunately he is not a replacement for Scholes and I doubt he will ever make that "world class" grade. Again, don't get me wrong, I am pleased with the signing but I still feel we need a higher quality replacement for Scholes. If we aren't prepared to pay 30m+ while our rivals are happy to do so several times if need be, then it doesn't bode well for us. Where is our Sneijder, Modric, Ronaldo, Messi, Silva? I'll tell you where....close to retirement, that's where. I'm all for getting a bargain (i.e. Chicharito) when one comes along but surely we shouldn't be reticent or reluctant to paying for proven quality when we clearly need it.

I suppose I'll get some grief for this post but I am just speaking my mind. I see shirt sales being a priority over player ability and it unnerves me.
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Hmmm... what an imaginative comparison.
 
Ecstasio said:
I am happy he has signed but I feel he isn't "all that". I think much like Park he will be a great addition to the squad and a handy player for the bench. He will also bag United millions in Asian shirt sales. Unfortunately he is not a replacement for Scholes and I doubt he will ever make that "world class" grade. Again, don't get me wrong, I am pleased with the signing but I still feel we need a higher quality replacement for Scholes. If we aren't prepared to pay 30m+ while our rivals are happy to do so several times if need be, then it doesn't bode well for us. Where is our Sneijder, Modric, Ronaldo, Messi, Silva? I'll tell you where....close to retirement, that's where. I'm all for getting a bargain (i.e. Chicharito) when one comes along but surely we shouldn't be reticent or reluctant to paying for proven quality when we clearly need it.

I suppose I'll get some grief for this post but I am just speaking my mind. I see shirt sales being a priority over player ability and it unnerves me.
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No I agree with you.
 
UnofficialDevil said:
wasnt too excited about the transfer even less happy about him getting the number 7, so there wont be another "big" signing this summer then.Nice one Glazers
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Well, if reports are to be believed we might still be giving away a number 9 shirt as well this summer.

It'll probably go to Welbeck but seeing as though our single figure squad number quota won't be used up until it is officially (and c'mon that is definitely the basis of all player signings) then there is still time for some muppeting.

JESUS feckING CHRIST I want football back to end this idiocy.
 
Ecstasio said:
I am happy he has signed but I feel he isn't "all that". I think much like Park he will be a great addition to the squad and a handy player for the bench. He will also bag United millions in Asian shirt sales. Unfortunately he is not a replacement for Scholes and I doubt he will ever make that "world class" grade. Again, don't get me wrong, I am pleased with the signing but I still feel we need a higher quality replacement for Scholes. If we aren't prepared to pay 30m+ while our rivals are happy to do so several times if need be, then it doesn't bode well for us. Where is our Sneijder, Modric, Ronaldo, Messi, Silva? I'll tell you where....close to retirement, that's where. I'm all for getting a bargain (i.e. Chicharito) when one comes along but surely we shouldn't be reticent or reluctant to paying for proven quality when we clearly need it.

I suppose I'll get some grief for this post but I am just speaking my mind. I see shirt sales being a priority over player ability and it unnerves me.
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How many times have you watched him, out of interest?
 
UnofficialDevil said:
wasnt too excited about the transfer even less happy about him getting the number 7, so there wont be another "big" signing this summer then.Nice one Glazers
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Until Sir Alex comes out and says there won't be any more signings I don't think you can infer that from the shirt number he's getting. Also, if you don't think signing the most important player from the German double winners isn't good enough maybe you need to look at yourself and your expectations..
 
Ecstasio said:
The comparison didn't need to be imaginative, they both increase Asian shirt sales, it's a simple fact, no imagination needed whatsoever.
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That is definitely why they were both signed.

Not that Park was one of PSV's better players in an impressive Champions League run that saw them knocked out by Milan on penalties, was South Korea's captain and available at a reasonable price. Couldn't of been ANY of those. Simply shirt sales.
 
niMic said:
What the feck is wrong with you?

Nice one Glazers? That we just signed the Bundesliga Player of the Year for less than we signed Michael Carrick?
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Yeah nice one Glazers, I'd never even heard of him before the Kagawa thread and I watched a few of Dortmund's games this year, the only midfielder that was kind of well known was Godze.But now that we've signed him everybody seems to know everything about him.

If we only sign Kagawa this summer while Chelsea end up getting Hazard, Modric and Hulk with City to also compete then yeah nice one Glazers.

Oh and Bundesliga player of the year? :lol:

Gekas or what ever his name was was the Bundesliga top scorer last year
 
I_live_cement said:
How many times have you watched him, out of interest?
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Not as many as I'd have liked but I have seen him play in at least 6 or 7 games this season. Admittedly that's not too many but then that in itself should be saying something. I've only seen Sneijder, Messi and Ronaldo playing a similar number of times this season and I know they're all unquestionably world class players. I am not saying Kagawa won't come good and prove to be the next golden boot, what I am saying there is an element of uncertainty and that although he guaranteed to be at least a decent squad player, he certainly is not guaranteed world class material which is what I would have like to see us signing. Honestly if Modric or Sneijder (to name just two of many) for arguments sake had been from Japan, China, India or any of the other growing Asian economies we'd have splashed out the 30+ million without thinking twice. I appreciate that makes good business sense and that football is a business but aren't the priorities getting all twisted?
 
Stobzilla said:
That is definitely why they were both signed.

Not that Park was one of PSV's better players in an impressive Champions League run that saw them knocked out by Milan on penalties, was South Korea's captain and available at a reasonable price. Couldn't of been ANY of those. Simply shirt sales.
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Not simply shirt sales. Of course we aren't going to sign a donkey to sell shirts but the marketability of the player certainly plays a bigger part than it should. I did say I am happy we have signed him. I was happy when we signed Park and he is been a great squad player for us since we did. No arguments there. I just felt and feel we needed a proven world class talent for our midfield. I had my hopes on Silva then he went to City. I was hoping for someone of similar pedigree this window that's all. The likes of Scholes cannot be replaced with a "good" player it requires proven excellence and that costs big money. Big money we seem reluctant to spend.
 
UnofficialDevil said:
Yeah nice one Glazers, I'd never even heard of him before the Kagawa thread and I watched a few of Dortmund's games this year, the only midfielder that was kind of well known was Godze.But now that we've signed him everybody seems to know everything about him.

If we only sign Kagawa this summer while Chelsea end up getting Hazard, Modric and Hulk with City to also compete then yeah nice one Glazers.

Oh and Bundesliga player of the year? :lol:

Gekas or what ever his name was was the Bundesliga top scorer last year..
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:lol: i find it highly amusing how much of a total clown you are.
 
UnofficialDevil said:
Yeah nice one Glazers, I'd never even heard of him before the Kagawa thread and I watched a few of Dortmund's games this year, the only midfielder that was kind of well known was Godze.But now that we've signed him everybody seems to know everything about him.

If we only sign Kagawa this summer while Chelsea end up getting Hazard, Modric and Hulk with City to also compete then yeah nice one Glazers.

Oh and Bundesliga player of the year? :lol:

Gekas or what ever his name was was the Bundesliga top scorer last year..
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No, he wasn't, he doesn't even play in Bundesliga, but why would you even care about that when you can make stuff up just like that to prove a point.

Must have been difficult not to notice Kagawa as he got an assist or a goal in more than every other game they played.

The whole Germany team apart from Özil and Khedira play in Germany and they're miles ahead of England. Also, this is the third strongest league in Europe. But sure, there's only Premier League and nothing else. :wenger: Yet Hulk and Hazard who both come from much weaker leagues are awesome because they're Chelsea's.

That was probably the worst post of the year. Just because you barely know anything about football doesn't mean anyone signed for less than £40m is crap.
 
Sarni said:
No, he wasn't, he doesn't even play in Bundesliga, but why would you even care about that when you can make stuff up just like that to prove a point.

Must have been difficult not to notice Kagawa as he got an assist or a goal in more than every other game they played.

The whole Germany team apart from Özil and Khedira play in Germany and they're miles ahead of England. Also, this is the third strongest league in Europe. But sure, there's only Premier League and nothing else. :wenger: Yet Hulk and Hazard who both come from much weaker leagues are awesome because they're Chelsea's.

That was probably the worst post of the year. Just because you barely know anything about football doesn't mean anyone signed for less than £40m is crap.
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:lol: Such a good post Sarni.
 
Sarni said:
No, he wasn't, he doesn't even play in Bundesliga, but why would you even care about that when you can make stuff up just like that to prove a point.

Must have been difficult not to notice Kagawa as he got an assist or a goal in more than every other game they played.

The whole Germany team apart from Özil and Khedira play in Germany and they're miles ahead of England. Also, this is the third strongest league in Europe. But sure, there's only Premier League and nothing else. :wenger: Yet Hulk and Hazard who both come from much weaker leagues are awesome because they're Chelsea's.

That was probably the worst post of the year. Just because you barely know anything about football doesn't mean anyone signed for less than £40m is crap.
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Yes he fecking was not last year but thats not the point go fecking look it up.

Hazard and Hulk are awesome because they are Chelsea's? American and 20 years old thats my guess.
 
Greensmilie what a dick. I mean seriously.


Anyway, in a joyus, enthusiastic and (genuinely) in no way cynical way I'd just like to point out that we can all be excited by the purchase of a player who plays creative and attacking football in the middle channel of the pitch. That's enough for me to look forward to next season. £12m is a heck of a buy for someone of his pedigree. If he was European he'd have cost much more and come with a huge reputation considering what he achieved in a top European League. He's going to be the missing link between midfield and strikers. I'm off for a Shinji shuffle.
 
UnofficialDevil said:
Yes he fecking was not last year but thats not the point go fecking look it up.

Hazard and Hulk are awesome because they are Chelsea's? American and 20 years old thats my guess.
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That makes no sense as a reply to that post.
 
Pexbo said:
That makes no sense as a reply to that post.
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Yeh I'm not sure either. I think he was joking with the first sentance and then later saying Sarni was a 20yr old American because he used the word awesome.
 
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