Keito Nakamura back in form at Reims after gruelling summer, targeting World Cup place | OneFootball

After a difficult summer, Keito Nakamura has rediscovered his spark for Stade de Reims, who face Red Star on Saturday at 14:00.

L'Équipe notes that Reims are Ligue 2’s form side. They have four wins in five and reached the podium after Monday’s 4-0 home win over Laval.

Against Laval at Delaune, Nakamura hit a superb 25-metre goal and said this week he feels good since arriving in 2023.

He only returned in late September, in the 2-3 defeat at Saint-Étienne, after a summer scarred by relegation. He feared dropping from Japan’s plans, and he has 22 caps and 10 goals.

He spent time away amid transfer talk and admitted he barely trained for two months due to mental struggles, and the club said he missed the Japan tour for health reasons.

Offers came from Villarreal and Besiktas for the left winger, under contract until 2028, but Reims said he was not for sale. President Jean-Pierre Caillot said they rejected significant bids.

Coach Karel Geraerts says Nakamura quickly flipped the switch on return, and calls him open, decisive and of superior quality.

After 11 matches he has seven goals, says he is at a very good level and that the scorers’ race could be a target, though the team comes first.

Geraerts adds that if Nakamura keeps performing, scoring and being important for Reims, he will go to the World Cup. He recently scored for Japan against Brazil, 3-2 in October, and Bolivia, 3-0 in November.

Source: L'Équipe