Is Shinji Kagawa All He’s Cracked Up To Be?

For the last year or so I have had it drilled into me just how good of a player that Shinji Kagawa is. Not knowing, or frankly caring, what he did in Germany with Borussia Dortmund, or how he turns out for Japan, I dig deeper into his statistics from his time at Old Trafford to determine whether or not I rate the playmaker as what he’s being labelled as – a wasted talent.

First up, Sir Alex Ferguson knows what he’s doing. Last season I attended 14 home games and six away with my beloved United, and I was impressed with what Kagawa provided. Our midfield looked strong. Scholes and Carrick were pulling the strings, while Cleveley looked as though he was improving and Kagawa and Rooney were the creative outlets.

Kagawa created 19 opportunities and scored six goals, and his movement looked superb. However, he is lightweight, slow at releasing the ball and despite his small frame he is not the quickest.

This season he’s hardly had a sniff, but in the four games he has played he’s offered almost nothing. You can argue that he’s played wider than he likes, but even when central he’s looked anything but inspiring.

I’m not doubting he’s a talented player – I just don’t think he warrants the whole country raving about how he is the missing link in our title challenge.