http://soccer.yahoo.co.jp/jleague/news/article.html?a=20100709-00000014-sanspo-socc Besides Cesena there seems "a club from the EPL" (not Birmingham, article assumes Bolton) in the race. Nagatomo will make up his mind between these two, with Cesena probably favorites.
Looks like Nagatomo to Cesna is almost a done deal http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h-pofFPlDgEl7frq0da2oGdXMj9Q This should be a really exciting season in Europe for Japanese players. I can't remember a time when so many Japanese players were playing for great clubs in Europe. So far: Hasebe-Wolfsburg Kagawa-Dortmund Uchida-Schalke Morimoto-Catania Nagatomo-Cesna? Honda-CSKA Moscow Yoshida-VVV Venlo Matsui-Grenoble?? Kawashima-SK Lierse Looks like Bundesliga is the league to watch this season. With the possibility of Okubo, Tulio, Abe, and Endo of moving to Europe too.
What I like about it is that it's not only midfielders like in the past, but basically players from each department.
I really want to see Endo and Tulio move to Europe and play, they're ready, and they deserve it. And with Javi Martinez sigining from Catania to Juventus, I'm pretty sure Morimoto will see a lot more action.
I'd like to see some interest for Abe. I was just re-watching the Denmark game and some of his work, breaking up attacks and even at times initiating forages forward - was sensational, and one of the highlights, a great memory to take and hold from this WC.
Nagatomo is going on loan with the option of a permanent move. Good move if it doesn't work out he can come home http://soccer.yahoo.co.jp/jleague/news/article.html?a=20100710-00000022-spn-socc
I honestly think that there's nothing like Serie A or la Liga to toughen up. And Cesena is a good place. Of course Bolton would be good as well.
Agreed. Age-wise, it's now or never for them (and Abe to a certain extent). How about Kengo? I thought he played great against Paraguay, which unfortunately was his only WC appearence.
There's been talk of him going to an Eredivisie club (VVV Venlo, Feyenoord). All talk for now though. http://www.sanspo.com/worldcup2010/news/100707/wca1007070503004-n1.htm http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2010/07/04/07.html
I feel that Abe to Venlo and specially Okazaki to Plymouth would be a big step downwards. Although I like VVV Venlo a bit. Did well last season and they had Honda and Yoshida is there now.