Chris Sutton offers explanation for Daizen Maeda’s Celtic form | OneFootball

Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda has been defended by Chris Sutton against the rhetoric that he has downed tools. The Japanese international revealed during the last international break that he had been close to leaving the club in the summer but Celtic blocked his departure.

Speaking to the Warm Up podcast, Sutton dismissed the suggestion that last season’s Player of the Year had downed tools, instead suggesting he had struggled with a change in position.

“I don’t think it’s fair on him to say he’s downed tools,” said Sutton. “I think it’s more, he’s a player who started this season, the central striking role is one which he finds more difficult than playing off one of the wide areas.

“That’s affected him, and people will be sort of putting two and two together and getting five.”

The player should have been sold as part of an efficient trading model, allowing Celtic to maximise their value on the attacker. Regrettably, players were not brought into the club in a timely fashion. It appears that Celtic have eventually got a replacement on the left in the door in the form of Seb Tounekti. Although, the centre forward position was understaffed, resulting in the player remaining.

Maeda’s only goal of the season came in the win over Kilmarnock, in which his diving header opened the scoring. The player celebrated with the Celtic supporters behind the goal, pointing to the badge.