Vissel Kobe's reported summer move for former Germany striker Lukas Podolski has made global headlines, but manager Nelsinho believes the players already at the club can lay the foundations for a J. League title challenge this season.
Turkish media last week reported that World Cup-winner Podolski — Germany's all-time third-highest goalscorer and third-most-capped player — will join Vissel from Istanbul club Galatasaray on June 1 on a three-year deal worth $15.8 million.
Vissel initially tried to sign the 31-year-old in time for the new J. League season starting Saturday, in a protracted saga that has somewhat overshadowed the team's preparations. Rather than allow himself to get distracted by transfer talk, however, Nelsinho has simply rolled his sleeves up and got down to work with the players he has.