Reo Hatate

In my opinion, skillful midfielders with high agility in J-League can threaten defenders in competitive European leagues too. In recent years, I've been seeing more Japanese defenders playing for competitive European football clubs, but "strong / tall" in Japan doesn't mean "strong / tall" in Europe. On the other hand, attacking players who can threaten defenders in J-League with their high agility and skills, they can threaten defenders in competitive European leagues too. In that sense, Mitsuta might be good (he can play as forward and attacking midfielder).


By the way, when you choose footballers in J-League, it doesn't have to be J1. I mean, J-League is like Bundesliga without Bayern or Scottish league without Celtic and Rangers. Any club can win the 1st place and any club can get relegated too. Actually, some J1 league champions have got relegated several years later. Plus, high school football and university football league are very serious in Japan and some high school footballers and university footballers (especially footballers playing for their high school teams) intentionally choose J2 or even J3 in order to become starters (= for longer playing time).


As you may know, Hatate was playing for his university football team till 22 years old. As I wrote, university football league is serious here in Japan. For example, some of U22 national team members are playing for university football teams now. Playing for university football teams means they are * (without signing with professional football clubs), so they are for free or very cheap.


By the way, I mentioned Mitsuta. He is 23 years old now and he was also playing for his university football team till he was 22. Just like Hatate and Mitoma (he's been showing his quality in EPL this season), Mitsuta was one of the best attacking midfielders in J League in his first professional season (= last season = 2022). Ah, Kyogo Furuhashi was also playing for his university football team.

 

A special talent. Looking forward to seeing him against the Huns.

 

Just watched 8 minutes of Mitsuta and he looks class..

Be surprised if Ange isn't keeping tabs on him..

Looks versatile and presses well, amongst all his other qualities. Would majorly suit us going off the video I just watched..

 

Got some pace in him as well.
Judging by the content available on yt - really impressive

 

Great post. Welcome to the forum

 

Mitsuta is meant to be excellent.

 

A new video uploaded onto Youtube today

 

His ability to last the 90 and his aggression are what have really impressed me recently. He was always extremely gifted but he's added an engine and a * you that's my ball attitude. Great to see.

 

Agreed. I was a bit critical of him early doors for how he drifted out of games and was slack at times, but he's shut me up these last 3/4 months. Been one of our most consistent players and the one 8 we've relied on to play 90 mins more often than not, which I wouldn't have expected of him at the end of last season.

He is a top, top player. Can't really see a ceiling for him if he keeps progressing.

 

EPL bound.

No doubt about it.

Hopefully get another season out of him next year.

 

Ooft.

Aggression to win the ball after getting a decent break of the ball and trying to grab his jersey. Late on in the match so still full of energy and just utterly ridiculous skill that left at least 2 sheep players needing a ticket to get back in.

 

Video not available in this country.

 

Thanks for the insight and that is a very interesting thought of trying to sign players from Universities.

On Mitsuta he certainly seems one to watch.
I know the team behind the J Talk Podcast and regular contributor to other Celtic Podcasts when we have signed J league players, Sam Robson suggested he is a big prospect. His numbers are nearly as good as Mitoma’s breakthrough season.

Fingers crossed we can continue to sign top players to help improve the team.

 

I know we don't play with one but I sometimes wonder how Reo would do as a false 9.

 

He's got more coordination in his feet than ive got in my hands

 

Would make Messi look like Daryl Murphy

 

I basically like attacking players who can run hard for defending for the team. Mitsuta is a good attacking player but not only that, he can run hard for defence, which is another reason. Well, this is Hatate thread, so I should stop writing about other players here. I have about 30 favorite young Japanese footballers, but if I write about them, I should write in "Player Suggestions" thread, not here

 

No problem mate About every single thread on this forum is off-topic