Daizen Maeda has probably had as many Celtic critics as any player in the current team with the exception of Greg Taylor. He is definitely one of the most misunderstood Celtic players since Giorgios Samaras.
The big Greek was the last player I remember whose work-rate and quality were so ignored by people who simply did not like something they saw.
I was pretty surprised last week when I read that a former Japanese international had slagged him off though, and I have to admit that my first instinct was to find out if it was actually true.
We know that his point was not that Maeda is a bad player but that he cannot understand why the Japanese national coach prefers him to Kyogo.
A lot of us have asked the same question. Is there a personal thing here?
We also know that The Record and other Scottish titles are not beyond twisting someone’s words to get the quotes that they want. Alexander Bernabei is only the latest victim of this.
So it’s not impossible that these comments were also taken out of context in some way. Yet even if they weren’t, I don’t know why the comparison was made.
A lot of Celtic fans I know remained unconvinced by Maeda until his sterling performance in the World Cup. There, he showed every bit of his brilliance. I think he has terrorised the Ibrox club. I think his pace terrifies most teams which play against us, and it’s no coincidence that our displays have improved markedly since he’s been back in the side.
He does so much in games, not just on the ball but off the ball as well and I think it’s that work he does without it which makes him truly effective, and not everyone sees that.
To me it’s just daft to wonder why he’s picked for Japan. I think Kyogo should be as well, but that’s a different argument and it’s why I consider the comparison to be a bit daft … it should be obvious, especially to a former player, who Maeda brings to a team.
Greg Taylor spoke very well in his defence the other day. I was glad to see that. I think it’s amusing that two of the most critiqued players in this team play on the same side of the pitch and have been amongst our best partnerships of the last couple of years.
Maeda proved his worth to Celtic these past few weeks, including with his hat-trick. This week he proved himself to Japan by turning in a great performance in their latest win.
He’s back to his peak fitness and readiness, just in time for another starring role in a massive series of games. We are lucky to have him.
It blows my mind how many don’t realise it.
Super Maeda Silences Scummy Media !!!!!!!!!
Superb team player and will always have my support.
Good article James, the pace of Maeda and Kyogo can win this Title for us. As long as CCV and Calum are fit and ready for the Defence and M/F the two Japanese players will terrify The Rangers defenders with their movement and pace. A fit and ready Hatate would be the icing on the cake for us.
As you said fella it’s what he does off the ball that’s the difference. The hounding down of players and the ball that others would think of as lost causes and would have given up the chase on, dragging opposition players away on sacrificial runs that create gaps for others to move into and scoring more than he gets credit for.
Sure crossing and finishing is not his strongest of points but getting there when others might not is though but yet that’s only what the blinkered see.
Seeing him with hair is really throwing me though. Good to see him returning to form now, it’s taken a few weeks and I think we should have the same patience with Hatate on his return. We need the energy both bring to the game. HH
How us he silencing his critics??? He has been absolutely awful for celtic all season…people comment on what they see…crossing the ball out the pitch 40 yards over the bar week in week out is not acceptable.
Blows any sane persons mind.
Interesting comparison to samaras, I didn’t understand him at all until I watched him live against oldco, the job he did for the team dragging people out of positions and making defenders scramble even when the ball was nowhere near him was eye opening. Maeda is definitely similar in that regard, has to be watched at all times which allows more space for everybody else. Helps as well he puts the ‘penalty king’ on a string 4 times a year
Your ” Sammy ” comparison is spot on. He was always trusted for the big games, as is Daizen.
He’s a total enigma at times.
He’ll trap an overhead ball, turn a defender and score under pressure from the on rushing keeper one minute and will sky a 2 yard tap-in the next.
He makes up for lack of composure in front of goals with tireless work rate, pressing and getting back to help GeeTee and he never hides.
£1,000,000 well spent in my humble, Fcukwit opinion.
He’s still young(ish) compared to the near 30 year old Kyogo.
Hopefully he’s with us for another few years.
His final ball and finishing are sometimes questionable, however his work rate and closing down are incredible and he would be one of my first picks every week. Andy Halliday tells a story about how he was about to receive a pass and just before it reached him he turned and saw Maeda was a considerable distance away, he controlled the ball and was about to pass it when Maeda took it off him. He couldn’t believe how quickly Maeda had covered the ground.
I understand why he divides opinion, his work rate off the ball is amazing, but I cannot remember a Celtic play that was capable of missing the chances he does, his decision making can be all wrong and his first touch at times is ghastly, those things cannot be overlooked
With the added bonus of Japan’s match with North Korea being called off and so he should be back early and rested from international duty. The example he sets by his work rate is so so important.
Reminds me of the work rate that Larsson always put in – he was always impressed that whenever the opposition had a free kick, Larsson was always first over the ball, as the first line of defence. And having a senior player put that effort in is crucial to team success.