Who could be the next Kaoru Mitoma or Takefusa Kubo? Japanese teenage J.Leaguers draw attention from European clubs including Chelsea and Juventus

The number of young Japanese footballers moving to Europe has increased in these years. Not only the players who have made their names in the J.League but also the youngsters who have not had enough professional experience could draw attention from overseas due to high expectations for their potential. 

Given the success of Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton and Hove Albion and Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad, European clubs seem to keep a close eye on young players in the J.League. New talents are blossoming in Japan one after another. 

First on the list is Cerezo Osaka’s Sota Kitano. The 19-year-old attacker who made his debut at the age of 16 has pace, dribbling skill, and finishing quality. Dubbed a successor to Shinji Kagawa who also started his professional career at Cerezo, Kitano wore number 10 shirts for Japan at this year’s U-20 World Cup in Argentina, and scored a goal in a friendly match against Paris Saint-Germain in Osaka this summer. He has also started to make impressions in the J.League this season, scoring twice in nine games so far (until 26th August).

Kota Takai of Kawasaki Frontale also played in the U-20 World Cup. The tall teenage centre back, 192cm in height, has good technique on his feet. In his second season as a professional, Takai has filled the void left by injured teammates and has become a regular in its defense. With more match experience, he has the potential to become one of Japan’s leading centre backs.

FC Tokyo’s Kota Tawaratsumida, 19, is another interesting prospect. In his first year as a professional, he made a number of midfield appearances in the early part of the season, but when Peter Cklamovski who had worked as an assistant of Ange Postecoglou for over 15 years took over as manager, Tawaratsumida became a starter on the left wing.

His biggest weapon is dazzling dribble. It is reminiscent of Mitoma, with changing of pace at will. Though he is still unstable and in need of working on his scoring ability, many football fans see that he has great potential and he could move to Europe shortly.

Jumpei Hayakawa of Urawa Reds only signed a professional contract in August this year at the age of 17. The diminutive left-footed attacker, just 163 cm in height, combines excellent technique and outstanding quickness to pose a threat to opponents in the attacking third.

He scored his first goal in the League Cup in April before signing a professional contract, and is now getting more opportunities to play in the league. He is highly rated by Polish coach Maciej Skorża and it should be only a matter of time before he catches the eye of a European club.

Keisuke Goto: tall, pacey 18-year-old attacking prospect

One teenager who is already being traced by European clubs is Keisuke Goto of Jubilo Iwata in the J2 League. The tall and pacey 18-year-old forward, 191cm in height, is good at getting behind the opponents’ back line.

His goal against JEF United Chiba on 26th August was a spectacular individual effort, and this mid-range strike made a buzz in Japan. Goto has scored seven goals in 32 matches for the side chasing promotion to the J1 league.

It was reported that several European clubs are interested in Goto, including Chelsea, West Ham United, and Juventus. A battle for acquiring the promising striker who admires Robert Lewandowski will be inevitable.