Japanese players in demand as English clubs expand their horizons

There is a growing trend of Japanese players joining English football clubs in increasing numbers. Their superior skill, dedication to hard work, and cost-effective value are making them attractive prospects for clubs.

Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One.

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared to the past.

“The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer but just saying this or that player is a good player,” he said.

“It feels like there is more interest in Japanese players from around the world.”

Currently also in England’s top flight are Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal) and Yukinari Sugawara (Southampton).

Japanese players have had mixed success in the Premier League since Junichi Inamoto became the first when he joined Arsenal in 2001.

Inamoto left for Fulham after a single season, where he failed to make a league appearance for the Gunners.

Shinji Kagawa won the Premier League with Manchester United in 2013 but drifted to the margins after a bright start and returned to Borussia Dortmund after an up-and-down two years.

Fifa-registered agent Joel Pannick, who has 50 Japanese players on his books, says English clubs previously had “a bit of a fear of Japanese players”.

“The stereotypical approach would be that the player would be technically very good but would they be physical enough? Would they be strong enough?” he told AFP.

Pannick says the recent success of Japanese players at British clubs, especially at Celtic under former J.League and now Tottenham Hotspur coach Ange Postecoglou, has helped change perceptions.

He also says the Covid-19 pandemic changed the way clubs scout players, making video footage and data from around the world more readily available.