Daizen Maeda

Agreed. Part of having a good technique is being consistent in it. Just common sense really.

 

Not actually true, for me! I'd say it's more like calling yourself a scratch golfer if you play scratch 1 game in 5 or 6, and to about 2-5 over every other time. He's not a player you can say is so far off most of the time, or he wouldn't be the frustration to others that he is.

Some see him as a hall empty glass, others as half full. He's still arguably the best attacking LW, and regularly forward, in the country... Not another team in the country wouldn't maul people to claim him, if they could get him

 

He did a recovery on the weekend where he had a collision around the centre of the pitch and fell, only to immediately spring back to his feet, sprint and win the ball back at left-back. He's a physical marvel.

 

Should be scientific papers written on him.

 

Not a criticism on him but shows the way stats can be manipulated, Palma won the ball back final third last year more than anyone. And that’s brilliant from him that, but when you look at it as a comparison to Maeda, it’s not the final third specifically, it’s * everywhere.

And I’d love to see if anyone has the stats on this, but from my eyes when he’s working like he does, others around him work harder.

 

Spot on. Even if he wasn’t quick it would be crazy to see those repeated sprints. I have no idea how he avoids muscle injuries with his explosiveness repeated that regularly.

If anyone can find a presser like him in world football I’d be amazed.

For what it’s worth in the speed debate, Frimpong over 10-15 yards is easily the quickest I’ve seen.

 

The only comparison I can say with him for that is N’Golo Kante. Not any comparison of quality or players or even style but it’s the only guy I’ve seen with a comparable work rate/engine.

For style and work rate and as players, the only player I can think of I’ve watched is Olic. Olic had more quality obviously, but even his ridiculous workrate I think falls short of what Maeda does. Better player, no doubt but just for the all out constant explosive sprints without tiring, it’s only Kante.

That’s insane to me that it’s the only comparison that.

 

Definately. It must have been daunting for them at first though and I think a familiar network of friends and family will have helped them to settle in. From there they will be sold on the idea that Celtic is a very special place. It didn't take Wanyama long to realise the opportunity he had and many others too. We have a good setup in that respect, Ange said its about finding players that want to be here and I think Daizen is enjoying every minute.

 

Think he’s shown more of that ability under Rodgers than Ange because the pressing is more controlled rather than always constant like he was under Ange, he’s still a mad amount of work rate but it’s not as constant and he has more time, less rushed.

Ryan Christie was similar when he slowed down his technical ability shone, when he was 100mph an hour it could be wild.

Maeda is still hit and miss technically, but if he wasn’t we’d never still have him. I’ve reached a zen with him, if he wildly slices a cross he brings enough to ignore it. And sometimes he pulls out * I forget he can actually do.

 

Thing with our Daizen is it's all about phases. He's currently in the midst of his most consistent phase for us since he joined, and long may it continue. But it's worth remembering that when he's in a run of bad form his technique goes all to * and can be a liability with his clumsiness in the tackle.

On his day he's a * force of nature and will have my fierce backing till such times as he starts doing mad * again consistently.

 

I guess we have different expectations of technical ability. His technique is poor by professional standards but he more than makes up for it in other ways.

 

That press he done for Cals goal was insane, sheer desire.
Very few players would have seen that opportunity and went for it. Look at his starting position, just drifting around the box and suddenly he makes a sprint towards those huns who thought they had taken control of the situation and bang, he mugs them and sets Cal on his bike.

 

This is the most composed and confident I've seen him in a Celtic jersey from the last few months of the season til now..

Used to regularly moan about a lack of ability but to be honest, it's no a frequent now. His touches, crossing and finishing etc are all at a very good level..

Aye he'll sometimes sclaff one on his left peg in to the stand, but he's earned the right for no one to get at him when he does....as he does much more right..

Happiest I've seen him. It's like after all this time, he finally feels like he's arrived and believes he's the man..

 

He was decent under Ange, but Rodgers has massively improved him, different animal now.

He's no Jota when it comes to technique, but he's far better than he was under Ange when it comes to it.

 

100%..

He's improved a few players..

O'Riley
Johnston
Kuhn
Maeda

All look majorly improved to me..

Scales as well who has deficiencies has deffo become a better player working with Rodgers..

Can tell Bernardo will massively improve under him..

Kyogo has gotten to grips with him now and just our style in general everyone knows what they're doing and we're so much more fluent and dynamic as a result. I honestly think we're more balanced than under Ange, who although we were fantastic to watch, I think we'll be more stable at the back and likely do better in Europe as a result..

Went off a bit here but anyway.....

 

He's on the bench tonight for Japan v Bahrain. 5pm kickoff

 

Bring him home... I just want to touch him

 

Hatate left out again

 

Ridiculous calling players up to travel half way across the world to then not even have them involved.

Japanese manager seems to have a real issue with our players. No doubt been in his ear the last week telling him to move to a better league