Over the 2019 J1 League season, Yokohama F. Marinos’ undisputed star man throughout the title-winning campaign was that of Teruhito Nakagawa. The 27-year-old right-winger was voted as the league’s Most Valued Player (MVP) for the season to cement his position as a key player.
With the Japanese forward having bagged a stellar 15 goals and 13 assists over 33 league appearances over 2019, Teruhito Nakagawa was truly deserving of the MVP title. Marinos’ winger is explosive and unpredictable, yet totally deadly. Nakagawa is almost the definition of a mercurial talent.
Despite his side suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to Gamba Osaka in the opening game of the 2020 J1 League season, this tactical analysis will dissect the key strengths of the 27-year-old forward. The scout report will then use analysis to explain how Nakagawa adds value to the tactics of Ange Postecoglu’s side.
Explosive dribbling
Any winger that is worth their salt must have a decent amount of close control and dribbling ability and Nakagawa has ample of both. The Japanese winger’s dribbling is somewhat comparable to that of the great Lionel Messi in that he is fast and agile yet keeps the ball close at his feet and always under control when dribbling. He is able to move at high speeds while always remaining just out of reach of any tracking defender when possible due to having the ball always at his feet.
Here, during the 4-2 victory over Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo last season, an example of Nakagawa’s impressive dribbling ability can be seen. Having picked the ball up in the middle of the half of the centre circle in Marinos’ half, the Japanese winger has already dribbled through two defending players. The 27-year-old is then able to dribble out of the reach of the defender in the opposition’s half nearest the camera before a quick change of direction keeps him out of reach of the second defender.
Now, later in the same phase of play, Nakagawa has put himself in shooting distance while remaining out of the reach of any of the defending players. He has moved from his half with the ball without having been challenged due to his quick turn of pace. Despite having only the goalkeeper to beat, the right-winger retains his composure and dribbles out of reach of the ‘keeper, thus giving himself an open goal to finish into.
