Depending on where you stand as a fan, after missing or losing out on Eden Hazard it seems that Borussia Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa is now more certain to join Manchester United than ever before.
The Japanese creative midfielder has been on the radar ever since his debut season in the Bundesliga when he scored 8 goals in 18 appearances in a Dortmund side that won their first league title since 2002.
Kagawa impressed last season for Dortmund scoring 17 goals in all competitions as Jugern Klopp’s side won a league and cup double piping Champions League finalists Bayern Munich to claim both trophies.
United have lacked a creative-mind in the heart of the midfield and whilst it could be argued that Paul Scholes’ return from retirement would not have happened had Tom Cleverely who had started the year in scintillating form not got injured back in September, new blood in midfield is and always has been defiantly needed.
Whilst it could be argued that United need a ‘powerhouse’ in midfield to win the ball and pressure the opposition, something Manchester City have in Yaya Toure who has been the ‘difference-maker’ for them since joining from Barcelona, imagination has been needed for some time.
Kagawa is a very different player to Scholes, but perhaps he could fill the conundrum and be the veteran’s long-term replacement. With top wingers such as Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia at the club, there will always be lots of service to the strikers.
Adding guile and imagination in midfield in the form of a player like Kagawa offers another option to breaking down defences and this will be a major benefit in terms of the Champions League. Games are played at a slower pace to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League and especially in the knock-out stages where passes really do have to be ‘eye of the needle’ stuff to break the top teams down.
Let’s hope if Kagawa signs he can be the one threading the strings making it easier for Wayne Rooney and co up top to bang in the goals. He has worked hard to achieve his dream of playing in Europe after playing in Japan’s J-League and his technique seems tailor-made for the Premier League.
By Adam Dennehey
