Ko Itakura

We're really gonna be * come those dodgy internationals mid season. Apart from that let's get it done.

 

Invoke the fifa clause * them lol

 

I just don't think it's a good idea having so many vital players that could disappear for multiple games. Not the end of the world if they miss St Mirren at home and another random but if its a double header vs those * then that's the reason why we buy players in to win those games.

 

He certainly looks to have a lot of attributes that would make him a good fit for our system.

I see today that Yuta Nakayama is getting a start at left back and is a regular in Japan squads. He plays for PEC Zwolle who just got relegated from Eredivisie but he looked very promising a couple of years back.

He is versatile in that he can play left back, centre back or holding midfield. He has a good range of passing and is left sided, only has a year on his deal and could be got for less than £1m.

 

He's just clipped neymar so good enough for me

 

Neymar is a cat, should have actually done him proper, be doing football’s reputation a favour.

 

Just when I didn’t think I could love Kyogo any more…

 

This guy is blocking neymars every move

 

Watched some of the Japan vs Brazil game. He was marking Neymar for most of it, never gave him a minute's peace. Probably fouled the * 3 or 4 times.

He dives in quite a lot and can look a bit haywire, but looks a decent player. Japan were actually really solid defensively and should've drew, the penalty Brazil got was laughable. There was one block Itakura made in the second half on Neymar which prevented him scoring a worldie, was a fantastic bit of defending.

If he's interested I'd definitely be bringing him in.

 

He'd skoosh the league up here and would be an asset in Europe. Didn't look out of place against a strong Brazil side.

If it's not just generic social media gossip and we are genuinely interested in him then i'd love it if we could put a deal together for him even if its just a loan.

 

Hence the 'if' fella.

Obviously its veracity is debatable.

But thats a MASSIVE red flag for me. IF true.

That * gives me Mark Viduka flashbacks lol.

 

seeing Hoffenheim are apparently in for him. Not sure we were ever really interested this time around.

 

Definitely not viewed as a priority.

 

I am not that bothered about that I actually think I would prefer Touba if there is anything in that one.

Itakura is a decent player but does look like he could he physically rag dolled like against Tunisia the other day and also is now 25. Also the season Itakura got decent Eredivisie reviews Touba was rated higher making the shortlist for defender of the year, playing for a poorer team.

In addition I think €6m is steep for Itakura, you would be unlikely to ever break even on that fee. Where as Touba I doubt would cost any more than €3m given he has a year left on his deal at RKC.

So half the price (estimate), left sided, bigger physically and looks to have attributes more suited to our game, younger and probably has sell on potential.

 

I see Anthony Joseph has us in for him again.

 

Not keen on him to be honset.

 

Seems to me he would be too lightweight , think he had his chance to come and blew it last season , would rather someone dominating

 

It's a big old if, but if we got Vinicius Souza then I'd be open to Itakura coming in if he's considered a bit more lightweight.

Souza could be key to the style that then allows Itakura to be the ball playing defender, CCV the muscle and Souza to the be the go between to help break up attacks as well being an option for a pass to get the ball out of deep areas.

Without Souza someone like Itakura and his supposed lack of physicality could well be heavily exposed regularly

 

Itakura would seem less lightweight with his frame if he was playing DMF. As a CB, he's sort of unimposing. Clever player, though which is crucial when you face nimble dribblers and one-touch combinations.