Celtic have already made some seemingly good signings in the January transfer window. Among those is Daizen Maeda, one of the trio of J1 League arrivals at Parkhead. He is coming on loan from Yokohama F. Marinos till the end of the season with a compulsory buy clause. John Hutchinson was a part of Ange Postecoglou’s coaching team at Yokohama F. Marinos and will know the player very well. And his prediction should excite the fans about the Japanese star.
Hutchinson, who was recently named as manager of USL Championship side El Paso, was Postecoglou’s right-hand man at Yokohama F. Marinos.
It was during Postecoglou’s time at the club that Maeda arrived at the J1 League side and it is safe to say that it proved to be an incredible signing for Yokohama F. Marinos, as he topped the league scoring charts in the 2021 season before joining Celtic.
And it is safe to say that Hutchinson is expecting big things from him at Celtic. As reported by The Scottish Sun, he said:
"“He will terrorise defenders in Scotland. If it clicks for him with Furuhashi up front, which I think it will, it will be frightening for the other teams.”"
He also said:
"“I have never seen a more physical player, in terms of speed and repeat sprinting, than Daizen.“Daizen is a physical beast. You’d have no issues sending him anywhere in Europe because it won’t be a problem to him.“He’s a machine. The improvement in him over the last season or so under Ange was incredible.”"
Maeda has the potential to be a great signing for Celtic
This isn’t Maeda’s first stint in Europe, as he previously played for Portuguese side, Maritimo. Of course, his arrival at Parkhead is expected to raise a few dilemmas as well.
The left side of the front three will be a great competition to watch. Jota has been the mainstay there and done brilliantly till now. On the other hand, Maeda can also play as a second striker, but he mostly likes to come in from the left in that role as well.
With the addition of Maeda, Mikey Johnston could have a much more difficult time breaking into the first-team picture.
And if Celtic’s right side, with James Forrest and Liel Abada, can make a similar impact to what is expected from Jota and Maeda, the club’s front three are going to be nearly impossible to stop.