Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Japan international Shinji Okazaki is set to be a big hit with Leicester City fans according to the club’s assistant manager Steve Walsh.
Okazaki joined the English Premier League side on a four-year deal from Bundesliga outfit FC Mainz last month and flew to the UK on Monday to join pre-season training.
The 29-year-old is Japan’s third all time leading scorer with 43 goals in 93 appearances for the Samurai Blue, and was regularly among the goals during his time with Mainz after leaving Stuttgart.
Given his impressive performances in Germany, Walsh believes that the striker will be a major force to be reckoned with, something which should endear him to the Leicester faithful.
“Shinji’s a good fit for the Premier League because he’s mentally tough and I think you need to be not just physically capable, but mentally strong as well. He’s obviously Japan’s star player at the moment.” Walsh told Leicester’s official website.
“I’m really pleased to get him. He’s a real talent. I think the fans will take to him. Not only is he good with the ball, but also out of possession he’s exactly what we need.”
"He is a high energy player. He is very opportunistic and any mistakes that are made by defenders he will capitalize on that and stick the ball in the net. That is his main asset.”
“Out of possession, he knows how to play. He knows the positional sense and he’s able to close players down. His work rate is phenomenal.”
Okazaki, speaking to the club’s official channel said he was excited to be able to showcase his ability in the English Premier League.
"I will do my best to show how I can play and try to score a lot of goals for the supporters," he said.
"I watched every match last season in the Premier League and not all of them are easy. There were hard games.”
"In the last few games the crowds were great and the players responded. It was an amazing result at the end of the season. It's a huge challenge to come here to the Premier League but I hope I can show everyone what I can do."