Soichiro Kozuki was the winner at FC Schalke before the Christmas break. After the 2-2 draw against VfL Osnabrück, Thomas Reis explained what he thinks of comparisons with really big players.
FC Schalke 04 went into the winter break without a friendly win. After a 2:2 draw at Rapid Vienna and a 3:4 defeat at Hajduk Split, the end of the year ended with a 2:2 draw at third division club VfL Osnabrück.
S04 coach Thomas Reis still saw progress, but he also clearly saw the construction sites on the defensive at the third division team. The big winner of the first part of the preparation for the last 19 Bundesliga games, which should lead the S04 to relegation, is undoubtedly Soichiro Kozuki.
The Japanese, who was brought from fifth division club 1. FC Düren to the S04 regional league team during the summer break, impressed in all three friendlies. He also scored a goal in all three matches. The offensive player showed his potential again in the hard-fought game in Osnabrück, which in front of 12,524 spectators was more like a cup fight. At 1-0 he showed exactly what Reis likes about him. He moved in from the outside lane, rounded an opponent, placed the ball from left to right and finished deliberately.
Those responsible for Schalke know what a jewel they have in their own ranks. That’s why Kozuki, who turned 22 this week, will not only receive a professional contract, but will also fly to the Schalke training camp in Belek, Turkey. “Only the format changes – and thanks to his good performance he gets better conditions,” confirmed Schalke’s sporting director Peter Knäbel of “WAZ”.
Comparisons are already being made with Shinji Kagawa, whom Borussia Dortmund once brought from Japan as an unknown player and who became a star at BVB. After the game against VfL Osnabrück, Reis explained what he thought of it. He said he’s not going away over Christmas as he hopes there might be a big present under his Christmas tree in the form of a new player. His cell phone is definitely on.
Is Kozuki also such a gift? “Well, what I would like is that the gift doesn’t get too much publicity. This is a boy who has played well in the U23s, who has a certain talent. Where we say, man, he has a good depth,” explained Reis. His addition: “We wanted to reward him and see him at a higher level. And he does his job very, very neatly.”
Nevertheless, it has also become clear that Kozuki still needs time. Nevertheless: “Against Osnabrück he lost one or two turnovers, where he still made a wrong decision. But he is a player who can bring a lot of joy in the future. We want to build it up carefully.”
And the comparison to Kagawa? Could possibly be more of a hindrance. “Even if the comparisons are already made with other big players and him: We will try that he stays on the ground, that he maintains his carefree attitude, that’s incredibly important. And then we’ll see where the path leads.”
