2011/12 Gotoku Sakai @ VfB Stuttgart (GER) Thread [R]

We have plenty of good Central defenders. Who do you want in return for Sakai?

 

Well, Gotokai could in theory choose between Japan and Germany (plus USA). But for me (and I am German) he is 100% Japanese. He doesn`t speak German and sees himself as Japanese. A few journalists and Stuttgart fans who obviously want to see their players in the German NT try to promote him, but honestly I don`t see any willingness from the German FA and/or Gotokai to make this happen. Much ado about nothing.

 

agreed, it won't happen and the "rumour" is currently based on a column of a journalist.

 

Zac should just call him up and play him next game. Problem solved.

 

lol yeah but is it fair to Sakai if he has the slightest doubt ? I remember the infamous Domenech calling up Lyon's Bafetimbi Gomis just to prevent him from playing for Senegal.

 

Difficult question as we don't know what he thinks. But leaving all his family history/cultural aspects aside, the actual situation is that Gotoku is regarded a J-U23-squad member, while Löw won't make the call in the coming months (Euro).

So, even if he is half-German and plays at a German club, if Löw calls him up, that would feel more unfair than the other way around.

 

I agree, that's why I think all this media talk put him in a an uncomfortable situation.

 

I don't think he has any doubts. He's Japanese, grew up in Japan, plays for Japan. It's just natural to play for Japan's A-National team.

Besides: He doesn't even have German citizenship. So it's "technically" not even a choice at the moment.

 

I hope he will play for Japan NT, they need him more than Germany NT and it will be better for Zac in the upcoming Confederation Cup and than WC2014 to have more good and experienced player as possible cuz of injuries and bad performance.

 

At the least Sakai deserves a call up, he is the most in form player for Japan and sideback at the moment hands down. Over: Nagatomo and Uchida

The fact that hes being noticed by Germany(or fans in Germany) calling for him to possibly be called up to their team speaks volumes about his play and form. Japan should call him up for not only the reason of him declaring hes Japan property so to speak, but he cant go ignored any longer. Hes a good player and deserves the call up and a spot in the lineup.

 

Calling him up will at least show that the NT is not a closed affair, and put some players under serious pressure to perform for their starting spots.

 

Just let him settle at Stuttgart, they're a good team that are going places.

 

Didnt watch the game today, but a 1-1 effort against Koln...come on now. At least theyre locked in for a Europa League spot, thought they coulda pushed for a CL spot, but hey, Europa is cool.

Nice highlights too, hopefully the non believers watch it and realize this kids got skills.

 

Good clip.

Will he be in the olympic squad or not?

 

Just watched the game vs Köln: G. Sakai had good and bad scenes, but mostly he was lucky that Podolski didn't take advantage of a huge miss by him.

 

Looks like a completely different player from when he was at Albirex.

Playing in Europa League will help him as well.

 

Can I get a more detailed summary of that article?

 

Basically Sakai never thought of playing for anyone else but Japan.

Not surprising given he's lived there nearly whole life, received Japanese education and represented the country at youth level and called up to JNT at the Asian Cup.

 

Boulharouz' contract will not be renewed, and as their transfer target Chandler is staying in Nürnberg, Gotoku Sakai is currently without any position rivals on the right