What coaches at Yokohama F Marinos were saying about Daizen Maeda before big Celtic move

Add as preferred source on Google

Daizen Maeda’s contribution to Celtic’s successes since joining from Yokohama F Marinos back in December 2021 has been superb.

The Japanese winger has been lauded this season for his incredible work-rate with Brendan Rodgers recently lauding the Celtic winger for his pressing and defending from the Hoops front line.

The Celtic boss labelled Daizen Maeda as one of the best in the world in the defensive press which prompted journalist, Sacha Pisani, to share what coaches at Maeda’s former club, Yokohama F Marinos, told him about the Hoops attacker before he got his big move to Celtic in 2021.

Arthur Papas on ‘superior’ Maeda

Arthur Papas was the assistant manager at Yokohama when Maeda was at the club and Pisani told how the Australian coach was blown away by the Japanese winger’s fitness levels.

Pisani said, “Not surprised to hear Brendan Rodgers speak like this about Daizen Maeda when it comes to pressing.

“Arthur Papas told me this upon Celtic move: ‘It’s like nothing I’ve seen. Daizen possesses athletic qualities far superior to most players at pro level’.”

Shaun Ontong hailed ‘incredible’ Celtic winger

In another tweet, Pisani explained what Shaun Ontong told him about Maeda when he was coaching at Yokohama F Marinos under Ange Postecoglou.

Ontong told Pisani, “It’s not just his speed but what impresses me so much physically with Daizen is his ability to repeat speeds, repeat sprints.

“A lot of quick players can make one quick burst and then they need time to recover and go again. His ability to do that and do it again, again and even in the 80th, 90th minute he is still doing it. It’s just incredible.”

What can we add about Maeda that hasn’t already been said about him? Absolutely nothing. The Japan international is a player the opposition hates playing against because of his relentless energy levels.

Maeda bagged his first Champions League goal against Slovan Bratislava midweek and was given the day off today from facing Falkirk in the League Cup.

But there is no doubt that if Celtic are to successfully defend their title and progress in Europe, Maeda will be central to that this season.