Monday, July 12, 2010

Japanese Abroad: Season Preview 10/11

The next player that I will be discussing is Atsuto Uchida who will be playing for Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga.

Pre-Schalke:
Uchida has been one of the most promising defensive prospects in the last couple of seasons in Japan. After debuting for Kashima Antlers at the age of 18, he has been the first choice right back for the past 3 seasons. His play has gotten him voted into the J-League Best 11 for the past 2 seasons. Uchida is known for his great defensive play along with some stellar offensive ability. He has been a staple for the national team since he made his debut.

Present:
Uchida played 5 seasons for the Kashima Antlers and has helped them to 3 straight J-League titles. Uchida did make the final 23 for the World Cup, but did not take part in a single match. Although he was replaced with Komano because of his experience, Uchida should be the first choice right back for Japan for many more years.

Conclusion:
Uchida will have some heavy competition at Schalke 04 at the position of right back. Rafinha is considered a starter and will probably get the majority of the playing time. Although Uchida is not guaranteed any playing time I believe that this will motivate him to improve which will help him push towards the starting position.

1 comment:

  1. Little correction: Uchida was the replacement for Rafinha, because he was transferred in this summer break to Genua, now Munich.

    But otherwise: Great blog, good writing (last but nor least: You are a pretty girl *g*).

    Hope you continue writing, about Okazaki for example, who is now in my hometown club VfB Stuttgart and the other new japanese players in the Bundesliga.

    I like them all because they all seem to give all for the club when they play. (Little exception: Tomoaki Makino - it looks like he is already satisfied being in a Bundesliga club, but not ambitious enough to deliver a good performance or want to be in starting position. Needs a change of mind soon.)

    I also would be happy to get information about these players who are linked with the VfB Stuttgart

    => Gotoku Sakai and his brother

    -> Is he a mostly defensive defender who stay in the own half or is he an offensive defender who makes a curve towards the goal, or a guy who runs all the way down and then flank in? Whats your opinion about him?

    -> How good is his brother? He seems to have some little playing time in the same team. Has he potential? Because it would make sense to get them both, they are both half-german so the whole family could come here and the younger one can play in the second team.

    => Mike Havenaar

    -> He has scored the second most goals this seasons in Japan. Sounds impressive, but how impressive? I recognized that he is - even for european eyes - a really TALL striker, so I think if the goals are only a product of his size (long high balls in the front, only Havenaar gets them, and shoots.. *g*) or are they also scored otherwise than this?

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