Shinji Okazaki

[Mendi]

Shinji

Our 15/16 Premier League winner Shinji Okazaki will retire from football at the end of this season. Wishing you the very best, Shinji!

[fox_favourite]

What. A. Man. 

 

Nothing more to say 

[ithuriel]

Legend, him, Vardy and Ulloa, what a strike force that was.

[Lad1966]

On 25/02/2024 at 16:06, Paninistickers said:

Mini league of 12 games now between three teams and a fourth. We've been given a 6 point headstart. And given the best players in the division. 

 

In that mini group, we only need to finish second of four to go up. We could even finish third or fourth of the group and still go up. 

 

If we blow it, we have the play offs as a backstop. 

 

We'll be fine, won't we? 😶

 

12 hours ago, volpeazzurro said:

Well if Percy says it it must be true 🤣.

 

Although, I thought that quite the opposite reports came out, that the two didn't exactly get on and Rudkin wanted him out way before Top got rid of him and was voted down?

 

The fact again remains that you and I haven't got a flying fig of a clue and merely just believe and repeat any bit of gossip that suits our viewpoints. 

 

 

 

32 minutes ago, ithuriel said:

Legend, him, Vardy and Ulloa, what a strike force that was.

Best balanced attack we’ve had and you can add Riyad to this list

[CrazyKopCorner]

A well earned retirement. 

 

He must have run at least twice as hard as any other footballer of his age and position - talk about play like it means something - 100% 100% of the time 

 

His character was sorely missed last season 

 

Was it this season he came back? He got the reception he deserved - legend in my view 

Edited 26 February 2024 by CrazyKopCorner

[shen]

It's bizarre with him, because despite being a pretty rubbish attacking player, he was such a vital cog in our winning team. He was perfectly niche for us and would probably have failed or been anonymous for most other PL teams.

A cult hero and legend who you couldn't help but admire.

[ALC Fox]

The only man I've seen score both an overhead kick and, after missing a header, from the resulting accidental bounce of the ball into his face.

 

A hero in royal blue 

[Nick]

There’s an argument somewhere that this man’s off the ball ability helped make Jamie Vardy what he is. Such an intelligent footballer.

[NasPb]

one of my all time favorite players. absolute engine

[PhillippaT]

24 minutes ago, Nick said:

There’s an argument somewhere that this man’s off the ball ability helped make Jamie Vardy what he is. Such an intelligent footballer.

This.  His type of energy behind/alongside the striker both with and without the ball, is definitely something that feels part of what we're currently missing.

[SpacedX]

Favourite Shinji moments: The through ball to Vardy to score away at the Hawthorns, which was inch perfect but a consequence of slipping and falling on his arse. Possibly the most unspectacular goal in Premier League history away to Newcastle November 2015 followed by that bicycle kick in the respective home fixture the same season. Spent the entire match falling over away to Millwall in the FA cup, then when he was blatantly fouled in the penalty area somehow stayed on his feet.

 

A complete legend, by all accounts a gentleman and a noble servant of this club. Will always be fondly remembered, adored and respected for his time here - the most important and significant period in our history.

 

Sayonara Shinji San.  

[gerblod]

28 minutes ago, Nick said:

There’s an argument somewhere that this man’s off the ball ability helped make Jamie Vardy what he is. Such an intelligent footballer.

I was thinking yesterday about what this current and the preceding teams had all missed since Shinji went.  He was the joker in the pack who could introduce the surprise element into the game. We all consider the Kanté, Vardy, Mahrez trio as the guys who gave us that something special, but Shinji was also an integral part of the team. And, possibly, the most likeable. Great guy.

[Deeg67]

This myth that Shinji was a "rubbish attacking player" proves he was right to be irritated at the role he was asked to play for us, despite the success we had in 2015-16.  He sacrificed a lot for the good of the club.

[Scanchez]

One of my all time favourite players.

Vardy, Mahrez, Kante etc will get the plaudits but wouldn't have won the league without him either.

Seems like an incredibly nice bloke also.

Enjoy your retirement, Shinji. You'll always be a legend at Leicester.

[bovril]

Underrated player. Tidy on the ball, intelligent off it with good movement and instincts, very hard working and unselfish. Underrated finisher. Had the ability to change a game and gee up the crowd when he came on. Was an upgrade on Nugent who was a decent player himself. Feel like we never really replaced him. I remember in 16/17 we usually looked better with him up front, even if it was Slimani + Okazaki. 

[fazzyfox]

Would be great if we could get what was originally mooted as Kingys 10 year testimonial sorted, the Title Winners squad vs current or others, whilst they're just about fit and sharp enough to enjoy it. End of season may be a problem with Euro's and players straight off on hols but would be great to say a proper farewell, it was great to have that chance with King, Pearson and James this season but with Albrighton probably on his last contract too the timing could be just right this time . 

[Trav Le Bleu]

 One of my all time favourite players. He did so much unnoticed work (at least, by many) that he was hugely underrated. Dragged players all over the pitch to get the space for Vardy, but still contributing with goals off any part of his body he could get to the ball.

 

Have a well earned rest Shinji, Densetsu!

[shen]

16 hours ago, Deeg67 said:

This myth that Shinji was a "rubbish attacking player" proves he was right to be irritated at the role he was asked to play for us, despite the success we had in 2015-16.  He sacrificed a lot for the good of the club.

He never had the physicality to play as a striker in the PL. He wasn't quick, tall or strong and he wasn't a threat from distance. He can be 'irritated' all he wants, but by now he should also recognise that his role for us, which he excelled at, got the absolute maximum out of him. 

Awesome team player and the epitome of a hardworking defensive forward.

[AKCJ]

Got to have the worst (best) goal to hitting the back of the net ratio in world football.

 

[worth_the_wait]

8 years on, and I still dream of what might've been one of the greatest goals of all time.

 

As the commentator said: "What a breathtaking passage of play.   Any team that plays football as brilliantly, as beautifully as this, deserves to win a title.   That is mesmeric"

 

 

 

[urban.spaceman]

 

 

 

 

[urban.spaceman]

Everyone talks about Vardy, Kante and Mahrez from that season but Shinji's partnership with Vardy was just as important.

[Unabomber]

Class that he was there 

[shen]

Just now, urban.spaceman said:

Everyone talks about Vardy, Kante and Mahrez from that season but Shinji's partnership with Vardy was just as important.

You could really argue that every single cog that season was vital - it just needed to be for that to happen.

Many weren't as eyecatching on or off the pitch as Vardy, Mahrez, Kanté, Ranieri et al and Shinji with his graft and tenacity was one of them. 

[weller54]

1 hour ago, Unabomber said:

Class that he was there 

Certainly was Yoda.