Competition has a lot to do with it. Playing against Cambodia is different than playing against Serie A sides.
Regardless, it's true, he has also scored against better opposition while with Japan but consistently struggles with Milan. Fact of the matter imo, is that he is an average - slightly above average player. He does ok here, but just ok. Never stands out or pulls the strings in any kind of way for Milan.....yet he plays in a position that requires that. Requires dominance. Honda is not that player. He shouldn't be a starter for a team that has any kind of title ambitions and rightfully so, he is on the bench. Let's ask ourselves this, "would he break a starting line up of any of the teams that made it to last year's CL Semi Finals? Or even broader than that with teams like PSG, Chelsea, City, Atletico, etc?". The answer is NO imo. So than, why should WE settle for him either....if in fact our ambitions are to get back to that elite that consistently makes the deep rounds of the CL and contests for titles in every competition they are in.
Regardless, it's true, he has also scored against better opposition while with Japan but consistently struggles with Milan. Fact of the matter imo, is that he is an average - slightly above average player. He does ok here, but just ok. Never stands out or pulls the strings in any kind of way for Milan.....yet he plays in a position that requires that. Requires dominance. Honda is not that player. He shouldn't be a starter for a team that has any kind of title ambitions and rightfully so, he is on the bench. Let's ask ourselves this, "would he break a starting line up of any of the teams that made it to last year's CL Semi Finals? Or even broader than that with teams like PSG, Chelsea, City, Atletico, etc?". The answer is NO imo. So than, why should WE settle for him either....if in fact our ambitions are to get back to that elite that consistently makes the deep rounds of the CL and contests for titles in every competition they are in.