i could understand if stevens prefered benni over uchida... but hoogland?? sort of glad that uchida didn't play today, seeing as schalke lost 4-1
Regarding Ucchi under Stevens: Be pessimistic and Stevens will sometimes surprise you (but most often prove you right).
he was warm with Uschi when he subbed him out so I want to believe today was just about rotation, Farfan also started on the bench.
I've got to say that when I saw that Ucchi was on the bench, I was hoping that Nurnberg would get the win. Afterall, they better stay in the Bundesliga, so that we see Kyo and hopefully Usami\Inui
Anyone buying that theyll actually bring that many Japanese to the team? I mean I get it, Japanese are thing next big thing in the Bundasliga and great marketing tool. But Inui, Kiyotake, and Usami?? Thats a bit much haha. I would like it better if there was a Japanese on each team instead of them competing for spots against each other.
I dunno if there really is competition, only amongst Inui and Kiyotake, both AMF and formerly teammates at Cerezo. I dunno about their combination play, do they play together @ Cerezo? if so, then they can team up in midfield. Usami is a Winger/Forward, so I don't think he'll be competing against them for the position. btw, Uchida good form in the 2nd half of the season seem to coincide with Stuttgart's Gotoku Sakai good run. I'm guessing Uchida doesn't want to lose his starting RB position in the JNT. It's great since competition drive a person and also Japan is getting some good young Full backs. If only the same can be said of the center-backs....
they can all play different positions in the midfiled but i highly doubt that would happen, usami and inui have experience as striker as well.
Really? u mean in the 2nd derby of 2010-2011 and the first game in the first half of this season? btw, Uchida looking good today. Nice balls in, good runs, defending.
Ucchi was solid, generally made some really brave and intelligent challenges/blocks, though there were isolated instances where he was beaten.
Looks like Uchi will be playing CL football, if he stays. Looking more focused in the past few games, he'll have some real competition coming from the two Sakais next season.
This is not his first time play CL.... some more he is the first Japanese player to play at CL semi-finals...
I can't see him in another league, where probably he will be benched. Please Atsuto, no be silly and stay in Schalke.
It's not up to him, I'm sure he would love to stay here. But Schalke will probably look for a right back this summer.
Though he is a good player, surely Schalke will look for a decent, more stable Defender. Especially to compete in next year's Champion's League season. But maybe he can establish in Germany and doesn't need to go back to J. League.
No don't worry, he's not going back to the J League. I'm sure he will find another club in Europe even if he has to go.
First I was thinking "nice highlights reel". Then you realise that this was all in one season and just brought a smile to my face. I think this has been a very very good season for his development mentally. We have a hell of a lot of side-backs to think about nowadays. Probably 5 top quality ones atm, and that's before considering 'utility' defenders like Makino/Inoha who are fine too.
The second part of the Season was great for Uchida. Maybe 5 bad games from him against 15 or more great performances. He is even better then last season. I am not sure if he stays in Schalke but I think so, but even he wants to leave he nerver go back to Japan at the moment. He would get much offers I think even in Bundesliga