Watch: Reported Celtic target Daizen Maeda in bizarre J League incident

By Euan Davidson

November 3, 2021

Reported Celtic target Daizen Maeda can make J League competitors fall to the ground with just a look.

That seems to be the case, at least. The forward, who has 18 J League goals to his name this season [Transfermarkt], seemed to put ex-Arsenal man Wellington Silva on the ground when Yokohama F Marinos faced Gamba Osaka today, Japan time.

From the clip, you can see 24-year-old Maeda – linked to Celtic for the upcoming transfer window – trying to take a throw in. His stare seems to be able to knock opposition players down. Certainly, it’d be a useful trait if he came to Celtic.

Maeda was initially linked with Celtic in mid October. The J League’s joint-top scorer [ESPN], much has been made of the forward’s electric pace and eye for goal.

In fact, Daizen Maeda has set the J League record for sprints per 90 multiple times. His personal best, 64, is genuinely staggering, and it’s the kind of enterprise and stamina Celtic could surely use.

Unfortunately, his Yokohama F Marinos side couldn’t secure the J League title. Ange Postecoglou’s former team finished well behind Kawasaki Frontale, who developed a tidy 13 point lead [Goal].

Reported Celtic target Daizen Maeda: a J League star, apparently capable of the supernatural

If – and it’s a big if – Daizen Maeda is indeed capable of felling J League players with just his eyes, then of course that has strategic advantages.

It’s perhaps why he’s so good at running with the ball. All he needs to do is look at defenders and they get out of his road. Job’s a good ‘un.

In all seriousness, the link between Celtic and Maeda remains exciting. It was always the case that Postecoglou would look to the J League for some star power. Undoubtedly we’ve got that with Kyogo Furuhashi. Repeating the trick would be substantially impressive.

Japan remains a market that Celtic haven’t ventured into often. Maeda, though, can offer raw pace, fantastic close control and a smart range of finishing. To add him to the Bhoys’ already stellar attacking unit would be extremely exciting.

Celtic would, on this evidence, have to keep him off throw-ins, though. Referees will only put up with so much telekinesis before the disciplinary board step in.

Read more: Ferencvaros star can’t believe how quickly Celtic move the ball under Ange Postecoglou