Daizen Maeda is at the centre of all the Celtic conversation currently.
The forward was the Hoops’ standout player last season, leading Brendan Rodgers’ attack and claiming Player of the Year for both the league and the club.
But a fair bit has changed since then. Whilst on international duty with Japan, Maeda revealed that he had expected to leave Celtic this summer, being denied a move despite wanting it.
This was a bombshell revelation, and left Rodgers with one of his key players publicly unsettled. It’s fair to say that the 27-year-old hasn’t quite hit the heights so far this campaign.
Maeda was substituted at half-time in Wednesday’s draw with Red Star Belgrade, as questions over his commitment persist. But for one Celtic hero, fans need to give him a break.
Celtic hero Chris Sutton on Daizen Maeda’s Celtic situation
Maeda established himself as a firm favourite among fans last season – but this time around, some haven’t been too convinced.
Despite work-rate making up a huge part of his game, some have questioned Maeda’s effort, with others taking issue with his decision to go public with his desire to leave.
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But for Chris Sutton, writing in his column for the Daily Record, the criticism should be reined in.
Sutton said: “I don’t want to see fans bashing Maeda because he admitted he wanted to leave.
“It would be unbelievably harsh on a superb signing for the club. A guy who cost barely £1m and has paid that back several times over.
“Yes, Maeda looks out of sorts right now. He’s not the only one. But he’s proved he can be a big game player.
“I don’t buy any talk of him being lazy or being in a huff. He might be lacking a bit of confidence but he’s not a player who will down tools. Absolutely no chance.
“He’s got plenty of incentive to get performing again too, with the prospect of a move in January and the World Cup on the horizon next summer.
“It would be a real shame if his successful time at Celtic was allowed to just to quietly peter out.”
What position will Daizen Maeda play for Celtic?
Another question mark hanging over Maeda is what position he will take up in the long-term, with new options emerging for Rodgers.
Kelechi Iheanacho has been involved in goals in each of his Hoops outings so far, scoring in both of his substitute appearances. He is making a strong case to be number one striker.
Left-winger Sebastian Tounekti has also been a revelation. The Tunisia international has been named man of the match in both of his domestic games.
So will Maeda be given a spell on the bench, or will he have to fill in on the right? We will get a better idea over the coming weeks.
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