Liverpool’s newest signing, Endo, is rated highly by local British media.
Liverpool announced the signing of midfielder Endo on Monday (Aug. 18). The Reds, who had been targeting Cesc Fabregas, bolstered their midfield with the announcement of Endo’s arrival shortly after Cesc left for Chelsea in a Premier League record transfer. Endo made his Liverpool debut as a substitute in the second round of the 2023-24 Premier League season against Bournemouth, a day after joining the club. Endo’s move to Liverpool and debut for German Bundesliga side Stuttgart came quickly.
The UK’s Guardian wrote on April 24, “Endo can succeed at Liverpool and could be a better signing than Kaido. Endo has been impressive in the Bundesliga and with the Japanese national team, serving as their captain. It could be argued that Liverpool’s signing of Endo is a panic buy. The Reds signed Endo after failing to sign Kaido, and the reaction has been one of disappointment, but there is also the argument that Endo is Asian and still underrated. If he was Argentinian, German or French, he would have been more welcomed”.
“The versatile Endo is a top-class player. At Stuttgart, he was one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga. Has won more aerial balls and cleared more balls than any other midfielder in the Bundesliga over the last two years. Tackles, passes. His ball touch was second overall among midfielders.” “Being the captain of a club in Europe’s top five leagues is no easy task for an Asian player given the vast cultural differences. Endo has shown leadership and professionalism.
The Guardian said: “Endo is the captain of the best team in Asia, Japan. They have reached the round of 16 in three of the last four World Cups.” “Asian players like Tottenham’s Son Heung-min and Brighton’s Mitoma don’t get the respect they deserve. Son is often cited as the most underrated player in the world. Asia is still not seen as a place that produces world-class players. Japan is not seen as a real soccer powerhouse,” he said.
“Whenever clubs sign Asian players, they are labeled as shirt salesmen. You only have to look at Man United’s signing of Park Ji-Sung in 2005. Park Ji-Sung was a commercial boon for the club, but only because of his contribution on the pitch. Park played for United for seven years and was recognized as a manager’s dream player. Park Ji-sung had great technique and offensive talent,” he said.
The Guardian says: ‘Asia needs to promote itself better. South Korean and Japanese clubs often recruit Brazilian strikers as goal scorers. K League and J League clubs have tried to get their best players to move to Europe and accepted low transfer fees. Asian fans and broadcasters don’t care about what happens on their own continent. If Asia doesn’t show respect for their own region, people from other continents will,” he said, adding, “Endo excelled in Europe and moved to Liverpool on a cheap transfer fee. He could be a much better signing than Cicedo.
Stuttgart coach Hoeneß, whose team Endo left, said: “From the club’s point of view, Endo’s transfer to Liverpool is a good move financially. But in terms of performance, I’m not very happy. Endo is an important player. He is our captain. He has started 99 of the 102 games he has played since joining Stuttgart. He’s always been there in important moments,” he said. 토토사이트
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