15 Aug 2005(Mon)

August 12, 2005 -- Hopefully, by the time you read this, Hidetoshi Nakata will be with Bolton Wanderers.

It's about time, too, that he has moved to England.

He has messed about for too long in Italy, since his career started to go off the rails during his time with Parma.

Parma's coach was Prandelli, who then took over at Fiorentina, so Nakat's departure has been expected.

I have been saying for at least two years that Nakata should move to England, and I don't think his agents have worked hard enough to get him there.

He is a fluent English speaker, and his game is perfectly suited for the English style: he is strong, robust, tackles hard, is fearless in the challenge, he goes past players, he passes well and he scores goals.

Though he has not scored anywhere near enough in relation to his ability.

I think he will do well at Bolton, a northern club near my hometown, but on the other side of the Pennine Hills.

It could be a big culture shock for him, moving from Italy in general and the beautiful city of Florence in particualr, but it's about time Nakata got back to business.

At Bolton he will get playing time, and the matches and football environment will be so fresh and exciting after playing in front of half-full stadiums around Italy for too long (but not Fiorentina).

It's just what Nakata needs, and I think he can be successful in the Premier League and show his quality against the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and the rest.

Of course he would have preferred to move to a London club, and Chelsea looked a good bet a couple of years ago before they signed Mutu from Parma.

But he still has time, and he can project Japanese football in a positive image.

I still have faith in Nakata's talent and motivation, if others continue to question it.

He is still the best Japanese player, by some considerable distance.

ends