It is not an exaggeration to say that all of the clubs were overwhelmed by KAWASAKI FRONTALE last season, so nobody can’t find objections easily even if I say that KAWSASAKI is the most likely to win J1 league this year again.
Many good attacking players have belonged to KAWASAKI, especially last 10 years. But they just had not many chances to change substitutions, only 1 or 2 attacking players in the game, because only three players were permitted.
So one of the biggest reasons they overwelmed J1 last year was definitely because J.League changed their regulations because of COVID-19. They increased number of substitutions permitted to play for the game from three to five.
They sent amazing dribblers Tatsuya HASEGAWA, Kaoru MITOMA, Reo HATATE as substitutions. Especially when they came to the pitch from second half, they forced opponent exhausted defenders to run more. They were sub players but definitely big threats to other clubs.
Even former Seleção player, Leandro Damião da Silva dos Santos wasn’t guaranteed as a starting lineup, it proves their attacking level is very high. Even though many clubs are analyzing their weak points this year, it’s never easy to find the way to break through their possession football.
Kawasaki have retained most of their key players from the past triumphant season but some main players left the club.
Especially one of the best players Hidemasa MORITA joined the Primeira Liga club Clube Desportivo Santa Clara, and legendary player Kengo NAKAMURA retired last year, so losing them might affect club performance. And also Manabu SAITO, Taisei MIYASHIRO, Hokuto SHIMODA who could be the key players for other teams left the club.
But KAWSAKI team level doesn’t seem to be down, it’s because new amazing players joined the club. Especially one of my favourite Brazilian player João Felipe Schmidt Urbano will be the key player this year.
He spent last season as a NAGOYA Grampusplayer. Former KAWASAKI coach Yahiro KAZAMA who effected many KAWASAKI players desired João Schmidt and signed with him when Yahiro coached NAGOYA. Frontale football is What Yahiro wanted to do, so it’s easy to imagine that João will fit the club soon. It’s said that Leandro sent a message from SNS last year because he wanted him to join KAWASKI.
João Schmidt is not fast but his play is very fast and accurate. Also he is good at a header. I’m afraid to say that some commentators underestimate his defending skills. I can’t say he could play as a defender ( though I saw he did it once before), but his defending skill is definitely good enough as a MF. And his attitude is very nice. He is always dedicated and hardworking.
High potential young players also joined the team
And “the Architect” Kazuki KOZUKA joined the team. He has great skills. He showed a lot of his potential in Oita Trinita. In adition, Kei CHINEN and Daiya TONO are back to the team from their loan clubs.
What’s more, the best high school player last year Shuto TANABE. He is fast, good at 1 on 1, and also he has good skills. Future national team player is now ready for J1 League.
There are few concerns
One of the best GK in J.League JUNG Sung Ryong will save the team again this year but KAWASAKI needs more CB players considering they are going to play for both J.League and ACL. And also the best player in JapanRyota OSHIMA often gets injured and away from the games.
I’m looking forward to seeing how the coach ONIKI handles with those risks. Anyway only one thing I can say is that KAWASAKI will show us attractive football this year again.
【Last Season Record】
・Points ：83 (the highest record in the league history)
・GF ： 88 (the highest record in the league history)
・GD ： 57 (the highest record in the league history)
・Winning Streak ：12 games (the highest record in the league history after the rules changed)
・Won the league remaining 4 games (the fastest record in the league history)
