Japan`s Nakamura denies seeking Espanyol exit

Madrid: Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura will not be demanding a transfer away from Spain`s Espanyol despite failing to cement a regular first-team place.

The 31-year-old grumbled that he needed to "think about stuff" after being left out of Espanyol`s La Liga match against Almeria at the weekend. However, Nakamura sought to allay concerns he was about to walk out on the club just months after arriving to a "Galactico" billing and comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo. "I didn`t mean it that way," Nakamura told Wednesday`s Japanese media after his arrival from Spain for the Christmas break. "I meant I have to think about how to play more games." Nakamura joined Espanyol on a two-year deal from Scotland`s Celtic in June after winning three Scottish Premier League titles at Parkhead. However, he has struggled to establish himself at the Barcelona-based side and his form for Japan has also suffered a dip with the 2010 World Cup less than six months away. "I`m not over the moon about things," Nakamura told the Nikkan Sports. "But it`s a question of trial and error." He added: "Everything went so well during my four years at Celtic so it`s a good experience to have to worry sometimes.” "People might get concerned I could lose my match sharpness before the World Cup but I`m not done yet!" Bureau Report