Samurai Blue are seriously weighing a shift for Takefusa Kubo from wing to a central attacking role, former Japan defender and Tokyo V Academy coach Tadamasa Nakamura said. Kubo currently lines up on the right flank for La Liga side Real Sociedad, but improved physicality has opened the door for a central deployment.\n\n## Why is Kubo's position change crucial?\n\nNakamura noted, "Kubo has always had the traits of a number‑10," and argued that the speed and vision honed on the wing can translate into creativity in the middle. He recalled Kubo's left‑knee injury that forced him out of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, adding that the next tournament should see him "play from start to finish."\n\n## What do the manager and coaching staff think?\n\nHead coach Hajime Moriyasu has pledged greater attacking variety for the 2026 campaign, and Kubo's role change fits that blueprint. Nakamura praised Kubo's new sturdier build, saying he no longer risks being knocked down and that a number‑10 slot could be "the key to a level‑up."\n\n## Current team form and player availability\n\nSamurai Blue have posted a 3W‑1D‑1L run (WWWDL) in their last five matches, riding a three‑game winning streak. Their most recent international fixture was a 3‑0 victory over Bolivia on 2025‑11‑18, confirming the attack’s momentum. However, both Shinji Machino and Takefusa Kubo remain sidelined with injuries, and their return dates are still unclear.\n\n## Outlook and challenges ahead\n\nIf Kubo can return to full fitness in a central role, Samurai Blue would gain a dual‑purpose midfielder capable of both dictating play and scoring. Nakamura compared his potential to world‑class playmakers like Eden Hazard and Zinedine Zidane, insisting Kubo could become a "versatile orchestrator." Yet club commitments and competition for places mean the exact position won’t be locked in until the coach finalises his plans.\n\n## Bottom line\n\nSamurai Blue are banking on Kubo’s positional shift as a tactical cornerstone for the 2026 World Cup. With strong endorsements from a former national coach and a team on a winning run, Kubo’s return to a number‑10 role could propel Japan’s attack into a new era.