2017/18 Shoya Nakajima @ Portimonense SC (POR)

he's playing really well. He's gotta release the ball quicker sometimes but otherwise, he's fearless, skillful and just good.

 

You're doing that in training all the time I don't know what he's got inside in his head but the less the better in his case I assume. Pretty impressive start from him. If he could keep this up (which I doubt) he would be a natural European top 15-20 clubs target.

 

Look who easily he beats the defender. And finish it off. He is a raw fkcing talent. He wont stay there long if he continues like this.

 

Portugal and Spain leagues are becoming really a hub for Japanese players in the next future.

 

No goal but another pretty good performance for him today. Could have an assist on a great diagonal pass (perfectly controlled by Fabricio) and he had two chances to score.

 

Scores his 4th goal of the season with an excellent shot on the counter to open the scoring away at Guimaraes.

 

Damn you are fast!
He continues his great form!

 

1-3 now. Assisted the 3 rd goal!

 

The opposing team scored 2 goals after he was subbed out to make it 3-3.

 

Damn the last 8 minutes...

 

Call him up!

 

No need to wait longer now

 

Starts as usual:

XI #Portimonense: R. Ferreira; Hackman, Felipe Macedo, Rúben Fernandes, Lumor; Uri Rosell, Dener, Paulinho; Wellington, Nakajima, Fabrício.

— Fútbol Portugal © 🇵🇹 (@FutbolPortugal) October 30, 2017

 

They won 5-2.

 

Goal.

 

He scored again. 2-0. He is so fkcing good!!

 

His two goals:



6 goals and 2 assists in 8 matches, leading his team in process to reach mid-table.

Based on @KATO's complaints, I think if he was complaining about FC Tokyo's use of dead weights it will be fair enough.

Starting dead weights like Nagai, Higashi and sometimes Takahagi in Nakajima's position, while keeping Nakajima on the bench most of time was a real mess, and halted Nakajima's progress in process.

I hope Vahid will test Nakajima ahead of the World Cup, although I don't think there will be enough time to integrate him in the team, but I think he will bond well with his former Rio's generation teammates (Kubo and Asano).

He could be our super-sub at the next WC, especially with his shooting from distance. I have to agree with @Saku² that he is "talent-wise" better than Inui, especially when it comes to scoring and shooting accuracy.

 

Agree with you. Maybe there is not time enough for him to integrate in the nt. Specially with a stubborn fcker like Vahid. But for me this guy should be a part of the team. No doubt.

 

I can already tell you why he's not in JNT. He's contributing numbers on the scale he never did in his 'parent' club, FC Tokyo. He had more starts in Portimonense (such a lovely name to fit katakana btw) than he had in FC Tokyo. He's scoring (which he couldn't do for shit in J League). So what's wrong? Everybody knows that he's a 'sakka kozo', obsessed with football in his normal, everyday life.

Then where's the catch? Is he realy a player that could become a starter in the top European football level club via the the top Portuguese clubs way or is it a burst of limited talent that will wane as soon as the next season start?

I'm well aware that the top clubs from Europe are watching him right now as such a talent (his number of goals per game is close to the world top considering it's half a level behind world's best leagues) being not recognised enywhere else seems suspicious by itself.

That's the thing with Shoya. If he can deliver those numbers every season he's dead on being a part of top football clubs. If he can't he's not much better than any random Spanish player from La Liga who can go around lower tier European leagues claiming that he had trained with Barca once.

I think that's the case.

 

He's not being watched because he's 1m64. He used to overdo it horribly too, he still overdoes it frequently but he's gotten better at that. In 2011, I thought he was outstanding, in 2014-2016 watching him was akin to drinking bleach and now he's figured out a way to make the best of his ability again.

 

The Nakajima case proves though that Portugal could be a good hub for Japanese players who want to do an abroad experience.

 

Good point. Remember Kanazaki played for the same club also. Scoring some goals too!

 

https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Bordeaux-et-l-asse-sur-shoya-nakajima-portimonense/854264

Portimonense is going to make the loan permanent soon and will probably cash in this winter.

 

Possible move to Eintracht Frankfurt:

https://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2018/01/06/kiji/20180106s00002000207000c.html