Daizen Maeda’s honest assessment of his situation at Celtic

The Japan star is preparing for two home Kirin Cup fixtures against Ghana and Bolivia, with the national side already assured of their place at next year’s World Cup. After missing last month’s camp through injury, Maeda stressed that he felt obliged to join up with Hajime Moriyasu’s squad this time around.

“Right now with Celtic, I’m playing in a position that’s not my natural position on the team, on the right wing,” Daizen said, as reported in Glasgow Times. “But I am not in bad shape and I managed to score in our last game.”

Those words will inevitably be examined closely by supporters. Maeda was expected to move on in the summer, but Celtic’s chaotic recruitment approach, marked by slow decision-making, gaps in squad planning, and no viable replacement lined up after Nicolas Kühn’s departure to Como, played a significant part in the forward ultimately staying put. As the January window approaches, rumours of revived interest in him are hardly surprising.

There has been some criticism of Maeda’s performances this season, often centred on his inconsistent output compared to last year’s explosive numbers. Some have taken his comments about playing on the right as a sign of frustration, another consequence of the club’s muddled summer business. Yet the more telling remarks may be those concerning his physical readiness and ability to play extended minutes for Japan.

Maeda himself did not shy away from acknowledging the challenge ahead. “I felt it was really important for me to be in this camp because I missed the last one, and the next one isn’t until March, and we have a World Cup coming up.”

He admitted he may not start for Japan, though he’s willing to make an impact if needed. “Personally, I honestly feel like it’s going to be tough for me to make the starting line-up. But I am happy to try and make an impact as a substitute if need be. I’ve been discussing my role with the coach, Hajime Moriyasu, and I am ready to play if I am called upon.”

While some might interpret this as a sign of diminished form, a more balanced view would acknowledge that Maeda’s season has been disrupted by injuries, heavy minutes when returning for spells out, and a lack of continuity. His game is built on relentless intensity, there is no half-speed version of Daizen Maeda, and when his physical levels drop even slightly, the effect is more noticeable than it would be with a different type of player.

Last year, he exceeded almost every statistical expectation. Regression was always possible, and underperformance can be as random as overperformance. It remains entirely plausible that injuries, fatigue, and tactical reshuffling have played just as big a role as any off-field considerations.

While it’s possible his head has been turned amid renewed transfer interest, it’s equally likely that his body simply hasn’t allowed him to hit the same heights this time around.

In that sense, Maeda’s blunt honesty in Japan may reflect reality more than rumour, a player stretched, patched up, played too often, and adapting to a role he never expected to occupy, but still ready to give everything, at full throttle, whenever called upon.