How good is this Kigawa character? I can't say I've ever seen him play to be honest.

Is he the real deal or just a commercial venture to sell shirts in Asia? Interesting that the Commercial Director of Manchester United is the one fielding the questions on him.

Kagawa is a great player. Seen him a bunch of times for Dortmund this year. Can't understand why Dortmund are selling him actually.

Last year of his contract, won't sign an extension, sell now or let him leave next summer for nothing. Also, they've just splurged €15m on Marco Reus who plays in the exact same position.
I'm a big fan of Kagawa. Terrific player.

Good grief. Do we still have to bring this up whenever a player from the Far East signs for a Premier League club? There are some good players from that way out y'know, much like there are in every other part of the world.

(general rant, not aimed at Saddened! in particular)

So it looks like Rodgers to Liverpool. Any views?

Very young, very inexperienced as a manager. The short time he has been in management he was done well, but I don't think he has done anywhere near enough to be deserving of the job he's just been given.

He could be very good though. The style of Swansea's play has earned a lot of praise this season, so if he can replicate that style with the better players at his disposal at Liverpool then he could be right for them.

It's a risk though.

with or without Hammerstein ?

Grass roots soccer in Spain is just as competetive as it is in many other countries, including the UK. The big difference I've noticed is that the kids here play a lot of 5-a-side (futbol sala) and really work on their first touch and quick passing. Up until around 12 or 13 years old contact is virtually non-existent but that leads to players milking it to the point that some of the fouls at teenage and open age are as soft as your pocket.

sounds a bit like the french system where no football is played at school but within the confines of the local club whether it be a club from an inner city or a village club - a typical village club in a village of say, 500 inhabitants may well have four or five teams going from the senior side down to the 'poussains' or nippers starting at about 7 years of age each being coached by senior or past players - there are loads of junior tournaments in the season along with the leagues with maybe ten teams each playing against each other with 11 per side for 15 minutes each half or whatever - the training sessions are all about developing the individual skills - it's a great system with discipline or should I say, self-discipline high on the agenda which is basically an extension of how the average french kid is brought up

In how many cases is it not an issue though? How many Far Eastern players have genuinely been a presence in the Premier League?

I've been reading about the Kagawa bid today and United's Commercial Director admits they have to sign players from certain regions to support the commercial work there, but then in the next sentance claims Kagawa isn't one of those players.

Buying for the sake of it ? Quite dumb even from Man Utd.

aye, clearly no need for a midfield at United

I like Rodgers. Fresh, young, tactically sound, great ethos, plays to win and knows how modern day football works. I wouldn't say no to Allen or Sigurdsson too. Looking forward.

Did Robert Martínez turn Liverpool down or did he fail the interview? He pledges his loyalty to Latics days after trying to leave them.

This will be the Liverpool owners throwing in the towel on ever challenging for the title, then.

For Liverpool to be back at the top with the [new] elite of English football, they need to invest at least about £150m in the team. A proven, top quality coach (like a Mourinho, Guardiola or Hiddink) would demand that kind of transfer kitty. Rodgers won't. And, what's more, Rodgers isn't a big enough name in global footballing circles to attract the caliber of player Liverpool would need anyway. He's more used to rummaging through the Poundland shops for bargains than going to Harvey Nics to know you're buying the real deal.

Appointing a hungry, young, talented coach and making a moderate investment in players might work in the rarified world of US sports, but it's a path to mid-table mediocrity in top flight English football.

The best Liverpool can hope for is that Rodgers pulls some rabbits out of the transfer hat, gets the limited players he has playing effective football, and maybe sneak the 4th Champions League place.

And as a Liverpool fan I'm gutted.