David88

Talented lad, but I'd prefer anyone else than giving money to that prez.

enlighten me

Oh darn :/ Bummed about Remy, hope Didier steps it up

I don't see him coming at all

Seems that he just scored in the league I tried to watch the match this morning but honestly, I resisted like 10 minutes lol

I don't know anything from the JLeague either. I knew about Usami because I do follow the Bundesliga though, he was a nice player and I know he's back there. As you said, Jose didn't say no we're not on him so yeah he's going to be signed probably. As for the rest, I said the same. It's pretty obvious that this isn't a request from the coach, I've never heard about a coach requesting a player from the JLeague either! Yet many clubs, esp. in Buli sign them. But, he didn't randomly mention "how satisfying the sponsor is part of the game" by his own initiative, as if he wanted to send a message. If you remember his first answer, he just didn't want to talk about a transfer that hasn't happened. He was then specifically asked if a commercial aspect could have an impact on a transfer. And he spoke about that commercial aspect that is clearly there, which is something that refers to the whole club, not about "satisfying the sponsor". The only thing I'm rejecting here, is this idea that only the sponsor is interested in the deal, or that the player was just selected by them. It's unrealistic, and disrespectful towards the club, and the player too, probably. Then again, as you say, it won't have any particular impact on the Chelsea's team anyway. LOL I'm not japanese bro othewise I would've gladly translated what's reported 'round there or I would be here talking about how good he is as a fan him. Unfortunately I didn't even know who this guy was instead, thought it was weird. Not sure why you're making and answering yourself those questions btw lol

By straightforward I didn't mean he's always "honest", just someone who's not afraid to say what he thinks. He hasn't said we have signed the best player in Japan o_O (which is probably Takashi Usami) nor he has said that we signed him for our sponsor... I don't know how you came by these conclusions. I'm okay "with people reading between the lines" but that shouldn't mean going for their own interpretation :/ I'd be okay with it but I suspect they were only interested in a buy

welcome to the loan army young lad

3 points or bust!

It seems that the news was previously reported on the japanese press (google translate). https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sponichi.co.jp%2Fsoccer%2Fnews%2F2015%2F04%2F10%2Fkiji%2FK20150410010141100.html&edit-text=

Actually he said that he does know who he is, just can't talk about him because we have not signed him yet. As for "when he ever purchased anyone from Japan", nobody here is suggesting that Muto is coming because the coach requested him. But do you have an idea about how many transfers are decided by boards and only agreed with the coach? Do you think that a coach has the time to watch random league matches in search for players? That's not how football works. It's not the coach who just makes a list of names "and that's it". If you can't see that this deal is so obviously something that interests both parties from all point of views, it's just your personal choice, hardly the reality. And just to be clear, I'd have even accepted a cynical view like "the club is probably looking for a reselling more than hoping that he becomes first team level". But the "sponsor clause" is just laughable. Remember that the player has to decide, and that all transfers affect FFP. They could've went for any less expensive japanese talent instead of one of the biggest. btw, it is a known fact that Mou wanted Kagawa at Real (a google will have the story pop up) but I understand what you mean, he was playing in Dortmund already. He certainly has no prejudice towards japanese players, though. This is José Mourinho, possibly the most straightforward coach in the world. Which is why he had no problem in talking about the commercial aspect. He was being honest, to the point that he specified "a very good player, or a very good prospect". Even if I wanted to assume that he lied, then what should I think, that the board went on a non skilled player? I've seen him, currently there is nothing that makes he doesn't have potential. He's even an international. I heard he might be injured now but I'll watch him play tomorrow morning just for the sake of.

As long as he was there, probably... That's assuming Muto plays for Chelsea, which is very unlikely in its first season, though. That's a key concept. A japanese guy who likes football likes Chelsea a bit more because a well-regarded player joins them, that's ok. He then proceeds to fly to see Chelsea's matches. From Japan. So, at best, Chelsea gains a couple of tickets, sometimes, from a couple of crazy fans. Gotcha Jokes apart, as for the shirt, it's the same thing. Shirts are not going to sell in significant numbers apart from an initial boost if the player is loaned, or does not play. Until he's loaned out\doesn't play, the "Chelsea brand" won't grow much in actual generated revenue in Japan, though. Actually, the club who gets him on loan would probably benefit more from it, lol. If anything, I wouldn't be surprised if United's brand got a "depreciation" in Japan after how they treated Kagawa after Ferguson left. So it's not going to be that simple, these type of fans are not just "product consumers", they must be emotionally invested. However, as I said, I find disrespectful to assume that "it's all about" this or that. Nah. It's about getting a potentially talented player which could end up in first team or resold for a profit, and a potentially lucrative deal on the commercial side. edit: I think I had misunderstood your post. Btw, Samsung has been a sponsor but Chelsea hasn't bought a korean player. It's good food for thought If by "contract clause" you're talking about a clause with Yokohama though, that is so unrealistic that I don't even know where to begin.

I like him, though, but I think he'd be only a good backup, so I'd go somewhere else. I think that he has not enough time as he'd deserve in Napoli and their league situation shows that Benitez isn't exactly making the right calls.

I think that, to an extent, it is true that for many japanese there is a certain pride when a player gets to a big club, so a few might become "fan" of it. But the reality is that they are fan of Muto, and if tomorrow he changes team, they aren't Chelsea fans anymore. So it doesn't make any difference in the end, at best they'd pick up his shirt. However, I laugh when people take out the myth of the shirt sales. If Muto gets loaned out - and that's very likely considering the visa issue, or spends time outside the bench, I can guarantee Chelsea is not going to see any considerable revenue from shirt sales. Let's be realistic.

And that's exactly what Josè said. There wouldn't be space at Chelsea for a player that is no benefit to the club. The fact that it benefits it commercially too, is just a win-win situation. Do people really think that Yokohama decided the player? Don't make me laugh, that's disrespectful towards Chelsea, the coach, and the management. Milan signed Honda, and it gave them a nice commercial boost. He also happens to be a gifted player. You're the one making up that he's a crappy player, in case you haven't realized. Which is what José was quick to point out You say "I'd rather have a good enough player" but then you say "who can make it here in a few years" - and that's Muto, not Kagawa or the other european based. They're not 20 years old. In regards to a player who can compete already, well that's a fan's point of view I guess. Most fans don't care about young talent, they like the finished product. But clubs would be running to the ground if every board reasoned just like this. It's not a sustainable model. There were probably no conditions to get an established player, or the board simply decided that there is more upswing in bringing a player with potential. Again, "someone signed to entirely boost the profile of the club in another country" is your made up stuff. If we had a Brazilian sponsor and Muto was called Mutinho and he had a fanbase in Brazil, we wouldn't be having this discussion probably. As for your last sentence, none of them was "a poor player", and it's not like Mourinho was here forever. Nobody has the crystal ball though, do you know any club that hasn't signed good players who turned out to be not as good as hoped. That's football. Even if we got an estabilished player (like Torres) it could go wrong. So what's the problem. All I'm sayin' is, don't be knee-jerk