Turning Japanese (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JuveJay
- Start date
Hideki Ishige 石毛 秀樹 - Shimizu S-Pulse
Position: AM (RM, LM)
Age: 18 (31/09/1994)
Height: 1.68m
Weight: 58kg
Asian Young Footballer of the Year in 2011, he broke through at S-Pulse in 2012 with a dozen or so performances.
Artistic attacking midfielder who can play behind the forwards or from either flank. Strong off either foot, which makes him hard to cover when dribbling. Also has a real eye for a pass even from a deeper area, because of his excellent natural vision. Small and slight, like many of these kids, he'll need to fill out.
He's currently on trial with Manchester City whilst the Japanese season is out. I think he is largely there to gain a bit of experience with a big club and players, as well as for them to have a little look at him. So he's well on the radar for European clubs by now.
He's number 8 in the video below.
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Gaku Shibasaki 柴崎 岳 - Kashima Antlers
Position: CM (DM, AM)
Age: 20 (28/05/1992)
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 62kg
Last month he won the J-League Rookie of the Year award for 2012, which is testament to his growth as an important player in the league. The attacking central midfielder spot is now his own in Kashima. He was much sought after as a high school player, and seems to be building on that promise.
Personally I think he could replace Yasuhito Endo in the national team, given his passing range, awareness, similar swagger and flair with the ball at his feet. He's more mobile and versatile than Endo, able to play pretty much all across the midfield up to behind the forwards. But given those attributes and the plethora of attacking midfield options for Japan, he may end up playing a more central role.
He's one that will probably be drawing European bids by the middle of 2013, his profile is fairly high and he is around the full national team selection.
Yuji Ono 小野 裕二 - Yokohama F-Marinos
Position: CF
Age: 19 (22/12/1992)
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 60kg
Flew onto the scene in the 2010 season with some great goals and games aged just 17, his progress was a little slower for 2011 but still impressive in a better side. He already has the number 10 shirt for one of the biggest sides in Japan and talent to match. Plays as a second striker and more a scorer of great goals than great goalscorer. He likes dribbling but often makes the right pass and has intelligence around the area. Another who seems to wriggle through challenges despite his size. He won't beat many physically, but the ball sticks to him. Great acceleration, and his dribbling at speed is his most dangerous asset.
Standard have 'turned Japanese'.
