Shinji Kagawa

[juanes]

Club:Borussia Dortmund

Nationality:Japan

Age:21

Height:1.72 m / 5.64 ft

Weight:63 kg / 138 lbs

Position:Attacking mid©

 

[hs width=300 height=300]http://www.spox.com/de/daten/pics/fussball/bilder/spieler/gross/45223.jpg[/hs]

 

Shinji Kagawa is the next Shunsuke Nakamura or Hidetoshi Nakata, if reports from within Japan are to be believed.

 

But it's not just the Japanese who are raving about this diminutive 20-year-old midfielder from Kobe - both Real Madrid and Barcelona have already been reported as showing interest. And, while the Spanish giants might, realistically be a little ambitious a target at this time, Kagawa has made it plain he wishes to play in the European Champions League - sooner, rather than later.

 

He might just get that wish, but the more likely destination would be a Dutch or German team for now, although, with his regular appearances for the national side mounting, he may well qualify for a work permit in the Premier League sometime soon and he would not be overawed by that prospect.

 

At the age of 20 he has appeared for his country at all age groups, and played in the Beijing Olympics while just 19. He has already notched up 10 appearances for the full team - scoring two goals in the process - and this has been while in the second division of Japanese football.

 

For Cerezo Osaka , in his first hundred or so appearances he topped the 40 goal mark - all from midfield! He was instrumental in guiding Cerezo Osaka to promotion this season, with 27 goals, despite regularly being called up for the national team duty.

 

With a host of Spanish teams reportedly interested including Espanyol and Atletico Madrid, a move to Europe seems more than likely. He would be a huge loss to the Osaka team if he is prised away in 2010, but he would be an asset to the team that entices him.

 

So why is there so much fuss about Kagawa? The 20-year-old is a box-to-box midfielder, who makes up for his slight build (172 cm) - with a tireless, end to end work rate. He can create, destroy and score goals!

 

Kagawa has a great vision of the field; he is a very smart player and can do a lot of things in the game, starting with scoring goals, with long shots from distance, or by dribbles into the box. He has provided some beautiful assists both with short and long passes to the strikers.

 

His strongest foot is his right but he can also provide goals with his left. Kagawa is very fast and has great acceleration. He is a small player with poor heading and is physically weak so the English league may not suit him but Kagawa could excel elsewhere in Europe.

 

The comparisons with the likes of Shunsuke Nakamura and Hidetoshi Nakata do not seem out of place, Kagawa is a young man with a bright future.

[Tito Ortiz™]

Al' je ova rasuo Schalke  :cast: