Reported Celtic target Daizen Maeda has provided a fascinating interview with the Japanese media as he enjoys an incredible campaign with Yokohama F Marinos.
Maeda has banged home 18 goals in 35 games this season to become the top scorer in the J League [Transfermarkt]. Unsurprisingly then, he’s been the latest name from Japanese football to be linked with a future move to Parkhead [The Times].
Ange Postecoglou decided to remain coy on the rumours, whilst also refusing to deny the speculation [Glasgow Times].
The in-form Japanese international comes across as a goal machine, but he’s provided an insight into the details of his game as he humbly told Japanese media that he isn’t actually a good footballer.
Speaking in an interview with Sportiva Shueisha, Maeda said: “I’ve been fast since I was a kid. I’ve always been in first place so much that I don’t remember taking second place. Maybe because my parents were all around sports, I think it was inherited. My dad was pretty fast, but when I was in the nursery, I ran ahead of him! I like to be able to run all year round, even in the summer, but I think that [my] physical strength and speed were probably cultivated when I was a kid.
“I have a lot of chances [in front of goal]. I have a lot of chances and there have been moments in which I could score more, but I didn’t. After it, I try not to think too much about it. Nightmares can come. I cherish that. Even if I miss the shot, if someone scores a goal and the team wins, I feel comfortable, but if I miss it and lose, it can be dragged.
“I run for the team, and do it crazy. If you lose that, you’re done. I’m not a good player, so I have to work hard all the time to compete with a good player.”
Reported Celtic target Daizen Maeda = 100% effort
Maeda paints a picture of the kind of striker Postecoglou would love to have in his team. The kind of striker that will produce a selfless performance if it means his side manages to eke out 3 points. That’s great to see considering the transfer speculation surrounding him.
But you can’t help but feel that Maeda may be selling himself short here. He’s well on course for an over 20-goal campaign with Yokohama Marinos and has already been capped twice by the Japan national team. At 24, he has a lot of development left in him.
He appears to be anything but a poor player. In truth, he looks to have all the attributes that you would dream of in a striker up against Scottish football backlines.
Maeda offers that rare combination of power and pace. Granted, his golden touch in front of goal has been more recent. Even so, he’s managed the perfect blend this season and is taking the J League by storm.
It remains to be seen if Celtic make a move here. The player speaks more in his interview about his early days as a footballer as well as his Olympic experience with Japan. And whilst there was nothing on the recent Parkhead speculation, you can’t help but feel he seems ready for a step-up.
All eyes then on whether Celtic provide him with one.
In other news, Hibernian appear to be wandering into a crisis ahead of Celtic clash
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