Sakamoto (3 Viewers)

[ptr]

Mitoma has just been ruled out of the Japan squad for the Asia cup. Did read somewhere yesterday that Saka is down the pecking order but with him bang in form…could it be a possibility?

Bloody hope not.

 

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[Sky Blue Pete]

Mitoma has just been ruled out of the Japan squad for the Asia cup. Did read somewhere yesterday that Saka is down the pecking order but with him bang in form…could it be a possibility?

Bloody hope not.

They have to play in the top leagues don’t they?

 

[Happy_Martian]

Yes, a callup would be great for him and the club. Especially with the increased overseas exposure.

No, a callup could mean he's taken for key Cov games. Players being called away to AFCON (African Cup of Nations) show how that can cause problems, think it's 3 games away in Jan/Feb for any callups.

Only blessing is that we're so far down the "Clubs of any interest" list that the Japanese manager probably doesn't even know we exist

They have to play in the top leagues don’t they?

Not that I've seen. And in the last squad a Japanese 2nd tier player was selected.

 

[RegTheDonk]

Dunno about a rising sun but Tats definately the rising star of our team. Whatever the circumstances were before not to utilise him, hopefully this is the way forward.

 

[Chris1987]

The club have obviously worked on improving his physical strength and fitness. His work rate over 90 minutes is now as good as any other team member and the understanding built up with MVE on the rhs of the pitch is there for all to see. Seems to be loving his football and he is a delight to watch and have at our club.

 

[DrPoolittle]

What impressed me has been his composure in front of goal. Now that he isn’t playing as a wingback, he is being given more of the ball in front of goal

 

[SkyblueDad]

Think he’s great if he’s knocked down he just bounces back up must be nightmare to mark, hope we can find someone similar for the other side.

 

[Cally Fedora]

We might suffer a bit with internationals as and when players are required. We could feasibly lose Wright, Palmer, Latibeaudiere and less likely Sakamoto. Quite a lot for a Championship club.

 

[rexo87]

We might suffer a bit with internationals as and when players are required. We could feasibly lose Wright, Palmer, Latibeaudiere and less likely Sakamoto. Quite a lot for a Championship club.

Only one that would potentially miss any games would be Saka. Rest only play in international breaks


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[hamertime]

It’s surprising how late he has developed, he’s 27 already. Not much football either before coming to us.

 

[Johhny Blue]

It’s surprising how late he has developed, he’s 27 already. Not much football either before coming to us.

We have lots of older posters that still haven’t developed

 

[Astute]

It’s surprising how late he has developed, he’s 27 already. Not much football either before coming to us.

He wasn't a late developer as so. Japanese players are pushed towards qualifications before turning pro and play.for their universities.

How Kaoru Mitoma studied his way to Premier League stardom

The Samurai Blue winger developed his dribbling skills while completing a four-year physical education degree at Japan's University of Tsukuba.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[Hincha]

Doubt he'll get called up just yet - but will if he continues playing how he is.

Think AFCON will benefit us - Hull, Cardiff, Boro, Watford & West Brom all have players in the provisional squads.

Edit: Leicester will be without 4 players when we play them also

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Doubt he'll get called up just yet - but will if he continues playing how he is.

Think AFCON will benefit us - Hull, Cardiff, Boro, Watford & West Brom all have players in the provisional squads.

Edit: Leicester will be without 4 players when we play them also

More than 3 they can postpone can’t they

 

[Astute]

Edit: Leicester will be without 4 players when we play them also

Excellent. We might beat a 7 man Leicester side.

 

[Hincha]

More than 3 they can postpone can’t they

Not sure.

Their players play for Nigeria, Ghana & Zambia who will all be expecting to get out of the group stage at least. If they call off their games they'll create a backlog for themselves.

Their squad can likely cope anyway.

 

[hamertime]

He wasn't a late developer as so. Japanese players are pushed towards qualifications before turning pro and play.for their universities.

How Kaoru Mitoma studied his way to Premier League stardom

The Samurai Blue winger developed his dribbling skills while completing a four-year physical education degree at Japan's University of Tsukuba.

www.japantimes.co.jp

Must be so a lot of untapped potential out there. The mentality of Japanese players seems to be first class.

 

[wingy]

Not sure.

Their players play for Nigeria, Ghana & Zambia who will all be expecting to get out of the group stage at least. If they call off their games they'll create a backlog for themselves.

Their squad can likely cope anyway.

Any advantage to that?

 

[Astute]

Must be so a lot of untapped potential out there. The mentality of Japanese players seems to be first class.

Japan are now just 1 place below Germany in the world rankings. They were top of their group in the 2022 world cup that included Spain and Germany. Certainly on their way up.

 

[skybluecam]

He wasn't a late developer as so. Japanese players are pushed towards qualifications before turning pro and play.for their universities.

How Kaoru Mitoma studied his way to Premier League stardom

The Samurai Blue winger developed his dribbling skills while completing a four-year physical education degree at Japan's University of Tsukuba.

www.japantimes.co.jp

Japan is a very interesting place for footballers because of this.

Mitoma’s first season playing proper professional football was 2020, so he was already 23. Sakamoto’s was also when he was 23.

Compare that to Europe, where players are very commonly breaking out at 18-20.

 

[Astute]

Japan is a very interesting place for footballers because of this.

Mitoma’s first season playing proper professional football was 2020, so he was already 23. Sakamoto’s was also when he was 23.

Compare that to Europe, where players are very commonly breaking out at 18-20.

Can hold back players that are ready at a younger age. But when you consider the vast majority with dreams of becoming a professional have their dreams shattered after putting everything they have into it and end up with no qualifications in anything.