Celtic closing in on Yuki Kobayashi

An replace has emerged on Celtic and their pursuit of central defender Yuki Kobayashi forward of the January switch window…

What’s the speak?

Ange Postecoglou is, in response to experiences from Japan, closing in on a deal to convey the defender to Glasgow at the beginning of 2023 for an undisclosed charge.

Barry Anderson, of the Scotsman, Tweeted: “Celtic set to signal Yuki Kobayashi in January. Left-sided centre-back, 6ft 1in, age 22, likes to play out from defence. Japanese media reporting a deal has now been agreed along with his membership, Vissel Kobe.”

Sky Sports activities journalist Anthony Joseph additionally Tweeted: “As per experiences in Japan, Celtic are in talks with Vissel Kobe over centre-back Yuki Kobayashi. The Hoops are hoping to seal the deal and have the 22-year-old be a part of the membership within the January switch window.”

Overlook Stephen Welsh

The Daily Mail have reported that there was curiosity proven in Welsh in latest home windows and a deal to signal Kobayashi may permit Postecoglou to maneuver the Scottish defender on.

Would Kobayashi be a great signing?

Welsh has solely began 13 Premiership matches because the begin of final season and this implies that the supervisor doesn’t imagine he’s ok to play common minutes within the high flight.

Subsequently, it will make sense for Celtic to signal a participant with the potential to turn into a key participant within the beginning XI within the type of Kobayashi.

The 22-year-old Vissel Kobe central defender is a naturally left-footed participant and because of this the 6 foot 1 titan may provide extra stability to Celtic’s build-up play than the Scottish squad participant.

Welsh has been performed on the left of the centre-back pairing when he has featured this season and unbalanced the aspect as he’s naturally right-footed, which is why Kobayashi could possibly be extra suited to that function as he can open up on his favoured foot to minimize the left channel.

A-League author Sacha Pisani offered an perception into the kind of participant he’s, saying: “Yuki’s good within the air. Reads/anticipates sport properly. Snug on ball as left-footer & excellent at blocking photographs.”

In 2022, Kobayashi has received 68% of his particular person duels and accomplished 86% of his tried passes throughout 31 appearances within the J-League. In the meantime, Welsh has received 57% of his battles and accomplished 91% of his passes within the Premiership this season.

These statistics recommend that the Vissel Kobe enforcer could possibly be an improve on the Celtic man from a defensive perspective, as he’s extra dominant in one-on-one duels, while their passing stats are pretty related.

Couple this with the comfortability the Japanese gem would have on the left-hand aspect and you’ve got a transparent motive why the Hoops ought to signal Kobayashi to exchange Welsh.