PROFILE: Keisuke Honda
Posted on | July 27, 2009 | No Comments
Who?: A left-sided midfielder or full-back who has been making waves of hype in his home country and who has just helped VVV-Venlo win promotion to the Eredivisie – Holland’s top table. Lean, athletic and able to hit a pass, many clubs will be paying close attention to how he copes in the talent greenhouse that is the top league in the Netherlands.
Some of the attention can be blamed on his relative youth and penchant for hair dye, but there is some substance too thanks to a good goalscoring record to date, especially considering he has played at left back on a number of occasions.
Some stats: He’s just turned 23 and stands at 1m 82 cm, weighing in at 74kg. Since he turned up in Holland last year he’s hit 18 goals in 50 appearances for VVV.
Clubs interested: Plenty in the Eredivisie have been looking at him, including PSV Eindhoven, who he will ironically play against on the first game of the new season for VVV on August 2. A move to England has been mentioned too, with Fulham supposedly the most interested.
Has been compared to: Inevitably there’s been Nakata comparissons, and thanks to his ability to bend one in from free kicks, even some unreasonable Beckham murmurings.
They say: “A natural talent, loaded with an explosive kick, guts and all it takes to become a champion, he is seemingly the new target of the idol-obsessed Japanese media” – japanesesoccer.net
Other facts: Born in Settsu, Japan, his first senior team was Nagoya Grampus 8, where he hit 11 goals in 90 appearances. Broke into the Japanese side last year and has hit five in 16 for them.
Video: This thumping free kick is worth a look, as is this compilation of crosses, moves and goals form last season (in most of the clips, just look out for the ludicrously blonde hair)
Chris Breese
[Photo: Sindala GNU]
Tags: Eredivisie > J-League > Keisuke Honda > PSV Eindhoven > VVV-Venlo
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