Agree with you.

Jamie1979:

DBYGFX:

Since it seems very probable that we are going to get him, I thought id state my reason(s) why I don't agree with bringing him in. These are my reasons, you may not agree, so please tell me on what you do/do not agree on.

To begin with, the reason we need to improve our midfield is because we have too many average/injury prone players. A quick summery of our midfield (apart from Carrick) would be Anderson and perhaps Cleverly are injury prone, Giggs and Scholes can't be relied on all season, Fletcher has a serious condition now; will he be the same again, we'll never know and Pogba (if he stays) can't be relied upon 40 games a season. We need to bring in someone who can be in our midfield all year round, someone who can come to the plate and become the world beater. I don't feel Kagawa fits into this bracket, in fact i've seen him a couple of times breifly and he didn't impress me too much.

Don't get me wrong he's good, but id go as far to say he's nothing more than Anderson (when fit) and id go to say Cleverly looked twice the player in pre-season/start to the season. Maybe im overrating our players, maybe Im underrating him. But to me, he seems nothing more than Anderson.

Next, I'd like to say that he's more of an AM than a CM. Since we play a 4-4-1-1 which changes throughout the game, I feel bringing him in would mean a mistake. I can't see him playing a solid CM position, and since we're not bringing in a DM he's not going to have the freedom to roam forward so therefore he's not going to fix anything. He could only play behind the striker; this imo would be wrong. The only player id sign this summer for a CF position would be Hazard. I've seen Hazard play and he instantly made a bigger impact on me than Kagawa. Furthermore, we didn't win the title this season because of poor attack, we scored I think 89 goals this season in fact it was because of our poor defense; Blackburn 3-2, Wigan 1-0, Everton 4-4, Basel 2-1. Maybe that was because of Vidic, but what if he's injured again? We cannot hide behind this excuse.

So in conclusion, I do not feel Kagawa would be a good signing because he's not much more than we already have and he wouldn't fit our formation. I personally think we NEED Martinez more than anything, a solid DM who can hold the ball and can win challenges. City have Toure, Chelsea have Essien, Arsenal have Song, Newcastle have Tiote. Carrick's good, but he's not that sort of a player. If we're going after someone like Kagawa (AM/CF) than I personally nominate Eden Hazard above everyone else. Him or nothing imo.

personally I wouldn't get either. I think we need an out and out centre mid whose comfortable goin both ways, leaving rooney where he is, using the 3 great wingers we hav and if anything attack wise I would get a striker to play in front of rooney. But on your point I agree hazard is better but he is 35m and kagawa is 8m, I don't think hazard is 4times better yet that is what the valuations say. So for that reason I'd get kagawa as he's nearly as good yet is cheap in comparison.

I can only agree with you,but its not a done deal yet,also he is within our transfer budget,that is also one reason we are signing him..................

bensmith130:

I have watched Dortmund, and in particular Kagawa, this season around 15 times and I can honestly say he has done nothing but impress me. Against Bayern this season in all apearances he has been superb. People say he doesn't perform against the top teams and well what are Bayern then? Anyone remember his performance against Arsenal - tore them to pieces.

I would prefer him coming to Hazard. He excites me more as he is an honest, hard working player who hasn't disrespected his club in any way. Hazard on the other hand has touted himself around Europe to get a move and will most probably end up going to City for the money and deal with being rotated week in week out.

Anyway Kagawa is THAT player we need. Very skilful, quick almost elegant on the ball and his passing is just breathtaking. He has the ability to turn his man in a flash and is perfect in any formation.

Think he will be are "marquee" signing this summer plus mst probably Baines and Clyne. Don't think another midfilder will sign but anyone else would be a bonus

pretty much word for word what i said in a hazard thread totally agree with you he excites me more than hazard :) just want us get the deal done i dont want us to stall on this one.

I dont really care what you think.Kagawa seems to be coming here :) and i really hope he does come here.Those stats of him speaks for themselfs.Kagawa is exactly what we need in midfield.

big guy:

In terms of next season's formation I would like to see us make the neccessary changes to make our team perfect for the 4-2-3-1 formation which we have been playing to a certain extent this season anyway.

I personally , like many others think that midfield should be our main priority this Summer. I dont think that Pogba is going to stay with us and I do not expect Fletcher to come back and be as good as he was. I dont think that he will ever be able to play consitently for us again because of his terrible luck of having such a bad condition , he will probably be a player that will be playing only one game a week ala Giggs or Scholes.

To be blunt , I expect there to be investment in our midfield. I think that we first need a ball winning midfielder that is also a good passer of the ball. Too many times we have been vulnerable this season because of the simple lack of an aggressive player that puts himself about and breaks up play. Martinez or Strootman are two players that could do this role. Obvioiusly Martinez would be the perfect player because his passing is sublime , but Strootman is quite a good passer of the ball himself and would be good enough for us.

Next I hope to see us sign a a tricky player that can play the ball through the eye of a needle and is versatile. One that can play in the centre of a 3 man midfield , in the Rooney role or on the wing. I personally think that Kagawa is pefect for this role. I hope that you weren't watching Kagawa playing against Bayern , if you have never been impressed by him. Because if you did see that match and he didn't impress you , then you must be impossible to please. I thought he was sublime in that game and lets be honest Bayern are no chumps either.

Kagawa represents fantastic value IMO. He would be such a good player for this club it's unbelievable. He could play on the left of the 3 in a a 4-2-3-1 formation , he could play in the centre of it or he could play in the centre of a 4-3-3 formation if needed in Europe. He could be our very own David Silva if we got him.

If we signed any of these 3 players I think that would be our midfield sorted. Next we can sign Clyne for 2 million to give Rafael competion. That wouldn't be vital but it would be a good signing. What I think is vital though is a LB. Evra needs competition and Fryers is not enough to challenge him next season. Cissokho or Baines would be good enough and I hope to see us sign one of them.

Lastly a striker may be a possibility. De Jong is a viable option and could come in to compete with Welbeck. I personally dont think a striker is vital but it certainly wouldn't hurt.

This is my ideal team for next season :

This is a very strong team and it could compete in Europe no doubt. This formation is the way I think the club should go and it suits alot of our players except Valencia. Valencia would suffer with this formation and may not be as effective in this formation. Maybe he could play RB or just be a substitue player but I think this formation needs to be adopted regardless.

In this team I didn't have space to include Cleverley but I think he will also get plenty of games. He can play anywhere across our forward line so he should not be lacking game time. Giggs should NOT ever be played in the 2 of this formation incase anyone thinks he could. He should be used sparingly next season and ONLY in the middle 3 of this team.

Overall this is the best possible team I could hope for next season and it would be a dream for me if the team I have named becomes a reality next season.

Oh and BTW Anderson better than Kagawa? I wish that was the case but alas they are worlds apart in terms of ability. Kagawa is an integral part of the Bundesliga champions and will go on to be one of the best playmakers in world football whereas Anderson is a fat Brazilian that cant hit a barn door with a guitar from five yards and is more injury prone than a one legged ice skater.

i like your team, but it would be wonderful to watch stroosman and tom clev, the both would make a wonderful partnership, becoz the are both very mobile type of players, full of running and starminer

89cruefan2:

Brittain 10:

There are certainly plenty of games but it's one more person competing for the position, just makes it harder for people who deserve game time to get it.

One more person yes, but look at those which have left this season and could still leave. Thats Gibson, Park, Ando and possibly even Fletcher... And thats if Pogba does actually stay... If not then that is 5 players over the course of a year we will have lost who could and do play in the CM...

But what you must consider is that Park, Ando, Pogba and Fletch still play here. When they leave I'll certainly agree with you. As I've said cm could be a waste of Kagawa's talents, though if he could play there it'd help, versatilit is always a useful asset. He'd need a good dm with him though, perhaps the likes of Martinez, Strootman, M'Vila, as Carrick wouldn't be enough, he hasn't got the defensive capabilities they have. It'd be interesting, do you see Kagawa working in a 2 man midfield?

Brittain 10:

There are certainly plenty of games but it's one more person competing for the position, just makes it harder for people who deserve game time to get it.

One more person yes, but look at those which have left this season and could still leave. Thats Gibson, Park, Ando and possibly even Fletcher... And thats if Pogba does actually stay... If not then that is 5 players over the course of a year we will have lost who could and do play in the CM...

Amada15:

The Kagawa/Anderson comparison is laughable. Of course Kagawa, like any other player in the world can play in central midfield, but that does not mean he should. His ability will be hindered if such an event happens. Kagawa will be a great signing(probably the best deal this summer). However there are some concern that exist about Kagawa, that i read in an article, but i believe the author were just...erh...nitpicking.

Wasi it about him complaining to japaneese press about the selfishness of his team-mate ( Lewandowski )? Kagawa denied it, he never said that.

89cruefan2:

Brittain 10:

I agree. I've seen him play cm but it's somewhat easier when you've got Hummels and Subotic behind you. The reality is we haven't, and playing him cm would hinder Cleverley and also possibly Pogba's development should he stay here. Furthermore it'd be a waste of talent as you said, he's best getting in the hole between midfield and defence and reeking havoc, as a cam he could do this.

I dont think it would hinder Cleverley too much. It seems likely Ando will leave, Park will go, Fletcher might not make it back. So we need atleast 2 players per position wise and well Cleverley/Pogba/Kagawa could work fine.. In a 60 game season they would all get a good share of games. Factor in the fact that Cleverley and Pogba could work well paired with Scholes if Carrick doesnt play.

There are certainly plenty of games but it's one more person competing for the position, just makes it harder for people who deserve game time to get it.

Brittain 10:

I agree. I've seen him play cm but it's somewhat easier when you've got Hummels and Subotic behind you. The reality is we haven't, and playing him cm would hinder Cleverley and also possibly Pogba's development should he stay here. Furthermore it'd be a waste of talent as you said, he's best getting in the hole between midfield and defence and reeking havoc, as a cam he could do this.

I dont think it would hinder Cleverley too much. It seems likely Ando will leave, Park will go, Fletcher might not make it back. So we need atleast 2 players per position wise and well Cleverley/Pogba/Kagawa could work fine.. In a 60 game season they would all get a good share of games. Factor in the fact that Cleverley and Pogba could work well paired with Scholes if Carrick doesnt play.

Amada15:

The Kagawa/Anderson comparison is laughable. Of course Kagawa, like any other player in the world can play in central midfield, but that does not mean he should. His ability will be hindered if such an event happens. Kagawa will be a great signing(probably the best deal this summer). However there are some concern that exist about Kagawa, that i read in an article, but i believe the author were just...erh...nitpicking.

I agree. I've seen him play cm but it's somewhat easier when you've got Hummels and Subotic behind you. The reality is we haven't, and playing him cm would hinder Cleverley and also possibly Pogba's development should he stay here. Furthermore it'd be a waste of talent as you said, he's best getting in the hole between midfield and defence and reeking havoc, as a cam he could do this.

From what I am seeing guys are making 2 mistakes here:

1. thinking Shinji is an average to good player - he is the central creative pivot for the best team in Germany and he just turned 23! anyone who wants to say Goetze has been, pipe down as he was injured most of the year!. To be this succesful in the top team in a very good league nowadays, says enough about his quality!

2. guys are being misled by his price - make no mistake of it, if he had 3+ years left on his contract he would cost 30mil+ . the fact is we are super-lucky to have him in teh contract situation he is in, but dont let that fool you into believing this is not a marquee signing...it most definitely is --> he Is one of the best midfielders in Europe

The Kagawa/Anderson comparison is laughable. Of course Kagawa, like any other player in the world can play in central midfield, but that does not mean he should. His ability will be hindered if such an event happens. Kagawa will be a great signing(probably the best deal this summer). However there are some concern that exist about Kagawa, that i read in an article, but i believe the author were just...erh...nitpicking.

1.ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI (http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/robert-lewandowski/profil/spieler_38253.html) 2.MARIO GOTZE (http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/mario-goetze/profil/spieler_74842.html) 3.KAGAWA (http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/shinji-kagawa/profil/spieler_81785.html) 4.ILKER GUNDOGAN (http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/ilkay-guendogan/profil/spieler_53622.html) He will be new Mesut OZIL.No doubt!

Clazza 15:

DBYGFX:

Since it seems very probable that we are going to get him, I thought id state my reason(s) why I don't agree with bringing him in. These are my reasons, you may not agree, so please tell me on what you do/do not agree on.

To begin with, the reason we need to improve our midfield is because we have too many average/injury prone players. A quick summery of our midfield (apart from Carrick) would be Anderson and perhaps Cleverly are injury prone, Giggs and Scholes can't be relied on all season, Fletcher has a serious condition now; will he be the same again, we'll never know and Pogba (if he stays) can't be relied upon 40 games a season. We need to bring in someone who can be in our midfield all year round, someone who can come to the plate and become the world beater. I don't feel Kagawa fits into this bracket, in fact i've seen him a couple of times breifly and he didn't impress me too much.

Don't get me wrong he's good, but id go as far to say he's nothing more than Anderson (when fit) and id go to say Cleverly looked twice the player in pre-season/start to the season. Maybe im overrating our players, maybe Im underrating him. But to me, he seems nothing more than Anderson.

Next, I'd like to say that he's more of an AM than a CM. Since we play a 4-4-1-1 which changes throughout the game, I feel bringing him in would mean a mistake. I can't see him playing a solid CM position, and since we're not bringing in a DM he's not going to have the freedom to roam forward so therefore he's not going to fix anything. He could only play behind the striker; this imo would be wrong. The only player id sign this summer for a CF position would be Hazard. I've seen Hazard play and he instantly made a bigger impact on me than Kagawa. Furthermore, we didn't win the title this season because of poor attack, we scored I think 89 goals this season in fact it was because of our poor defense; Blackburn 3-2, Wigan 1-0, Everton 4-4, Basel 2-1. Maybe that was because of Vidic, but what if he's injured again? We cannot hide behind this excuse.

So in conclusion, I do not feel Kagawa would be a good signing because he's not much more than we already have and he wouldn't fit our formation. I personally think we NEED Martinez more than anything, a solid DM who can hold the ball and can win challenges. City have Toure, Chelsea have Essien, Arsenal have Song, Newcastle have Tiote. Carrick's good, but he's not that sort of a player. If we're going after someone like Kagawa (AM/CF) than I personally nominate Eden Hazard above everyone else. Him or nothing imo.

I believe Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund) would be an excellent signing for us in the 2012 Summer Transfer Window. However, I will say that I would prefer other players compared to Kagawa.

Lets compare Kagawa's and Hazard's price tag, Kagawa - minimum 5 million & maximum 12 million, Hazard Minimum 35 million.. enough said? I believe that Kagawa is Park's replacement and hopefully we sign a lot of more players other than him