davieG Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 The City striker has enjoyed four eventful seasons in Leicester. https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/shinji-okazaki-announces-leaving-leicester-2812422 ByRob TannerLeicester City Editor 05:00, 30 APR 2019 s Shinji Okazaki has confirmed he is leaving Leicester City to seek a new challenge this summer. The Japan international told national newspaper Nikkei that his time at City is at an end and he wants to move to another club where he will be utilised as a striker only. Okazaki admitted that he has developed an identity at City as a link player between the midfield and attack, but he was never completely satisfied with the role, even after helping City win the Premier League title in 2016. “My 30th birthday was in the midst of the challenge for the Premier League title,” said the 33-year-old, who is out of contract this summer. “It was my first season at Leicester. What I chose to get out of the game was the job of linking the defence and the attack, and it resulted in the first title of my life. “However, although there was some sense of accomplishment, the satisfaction was not as big as I thought. “Even though I was a forward, I was actually playing like a midfielder. It was seen as my strength but I though that was dangerous. “Strikers are only judged on the goals they score and eventually the number of goals distinguishes whether you are a superior striker or inferior, and based on the reality it was not enough. “It was my new challenge to be a striker who could earn points while continuing my dedicated work now. However, the results were not enough to change the evaluation within the team. “My role at Leicester is definitely not a striker. It feels like I am seen as the second row midfielder. I feel that I am not a midfielder when I see the high ability of a professional midfielder with their skill level.. “So I have decided to leave Leicester. It is because I thought strongly that I would like to challenge next season in a place where I can play as a striker. “There have been few opportunities for playing this season. “I will make my decision on my next destination based on ‘can I play as a striker? It will be more interesting to play in a place where that is possible. “I am 33 now and that’s how I feel. It’s time to start from scratch. “I am aware that I am at an age called a veteran, but I don’t feel it. “Before showing leadership in a team, I would like to show my existence as a goalscorer.” Okazaki has spoken previously of his desire to play in the next World Cup and is expected to move to either Italy or Spain where the pace of the game is less demanding to help his cause.
rachhere Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Legend. Interesting that he feels that he's been restricted in not playing as a striker... he's missed some sitters over recent months! Was fortunate enough to come out of the shop on Saturday just as he was making his way round the car park and got a photo and wished him well for the future. Top bloke as he must have spent quite a while going round everyone who was waiting out there.
Captain... Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Sayonara Shinji-san Thanks for the smiles, the slips and the non stop energy. You’ll always be a legend here.
Koke Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Pivotal member of the squad. Scorer of worldies like Newcaste home and pub goals like Newcaste away. Always played with a smile. Never got his deserved pay rise like half the team did post 2016. Still earned less than clowns like Benalouane and never threw his dummy out like Leo Ulloa.
AKCJ Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Hopefully he gets 10 mins at the end of the Chelsea game when we're 4-0 up.
Izzy Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Thanks for the memories Shinji and best of luck for the future. We'll miss that smile
sheffield_fox Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 If he wants to finish his career scoring heaps of goals, more power to him. Proper striker's attitude. Forever a legend.
Aus Fox Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Bloody love this bloke, as a fan every thing you want at your club; honest, hard working, never complains and place with his heart on his sleeve and a smile on his face. Best of luck for the next challenge in your career Shinji you’ll always be a fox!
Stadt Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 He wouldn’t score 10 goals if he played every minute of the season up front. Having said that he’s a hero and played a hugely unselfish role in 15/16 that not many players could.
Babylon Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 24 minutes ago, davieG said: “So I have decided to leave Leicester" Well, in reality you've not been given a new contract. Even though you're a ledge.
bovril Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Crucial to our title win. One of the players that always seemed to lift the crowd and whole team with his work ethic.
egg_fried_rice Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Will be sad to see him go, but the right decision for all parties and I wish him nothing but the best. That smile
Dr Marco Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Thanks for everything Shinji! Forever in our hearts! #Legend
RoboFox Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Another one of the unbelieveables departs. It's the right decision, we've moved on. Scored some of the most important scuffed shots in our history. When I think of Shinj, I always think of this...
Alf Bentley Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 10 minutes ago, bovril said: Crucial to our title win. One of the players that always seemed to lift the crowd and whole team with his work ethic. This. Wikipedia says he scored 1 every 3 games in his early years in Japan (pretty irrelevant), then only 10 in 63 at Stuttgart......but 27 goals in 65 Bundesliga matches for Mainz over the 2 seasons before he joined us. That last ratio is more impressive than I'd have expected, having only seen him in his chasing link-man role for LCFC, plus the odd match for Japan. Respect to him for buckling down and playing a new role for us from 2015 - and playing such a crucial part in our success as a result. Nothing I've seen suggests that he's about to score a hatful of goals now, expect maybe at a lower level....but maybe if he's playing regularly again and less knackered from chasing between midfield and attack, and closing down... who knows? All the best to the bloke, whatever he does. I suspect there might be a tear in my eye waving off the likes of Shinji and Christian Fuchs (?) v. Chelsea.
UniFox21 Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Think one goal that perfectly sums up Shinji; is the Newcastle away goal last year. Was an OG, but such a scrap brought by Shinji running the pitch as usual
Voll Blau Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Worra bloke. Wish him the best with whatever he does next.
Arriba Los Zorros Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Shinji - one of my favourite Leicester players ever. They don't make them like him any more - football seems to be going the way of big egos and little application a la Pogba, Iheanacho. Sad he's going and it feels like a big loss of our identity, but would rather see him go than have this bit part role on the fringes.
rachhere Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 26 minutes ago, Cameron Davidson said: do do do …. His song will be forever sung in our household. It's one of those where I suddenly realise I am singing it without even thinking about it. Anyone else have that issue...? I also do the same with the Jim'll Fix It theme tune which is rather unfortunate.
Deeg67 Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Desperately want to see him get some time in that final match with Chelsea. No excuses not to get him on the pitch, especially if Europe isn't on the line (as it almost surely won't be).
ren Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Can't think of many current Prem players that look like they enjoy football as much as him on the pitch, hope he gets a farewell appearance.
HighPeakFox Posted 30 April 2019 Posted 30 April 2019 Nothing but good things to say about Shinji. He'll never be forgotten, I hope, and rightly so.
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