J-Football Journals Round-Up #6

From the writer; The Summer has played out to be far busier than I thought it would be. Job interviews, non-stop gym sessions, it has been rather a drag managing to bring consistency back into my J-League Research.

However, here I am. I'm back, with a fresh batch of topics, not only some interesting news coming from Reims, France, but also an investigation on who we might see follow Sota Kitano to Europe, next.

As the transfer window is open now, there is constantly more and more to write about as news begin to appear at every hour of the day and even night.

We'll also take a look at some of the standout performers recently, and the situation of the league table - essentially, back to the basics.

Antlers Back on Top!

Now six points clear, Kashima Antlers, one of the projected winners of the league have once again taken the mantle. Overachievers Kyoto Sanga are hot on their trails with an on-and-off form, but with their recent 3-0 demolition of FC Tokyo it seems like they're back on the chase.

Yokoham F. Marinos continue to struggle as they sit two points of second-last Albirex Niigata. FC Tokyo have also began to dip into relegation as they sit on par with Yokohama FC, both on 19 points.

Victory in Reims! Three Japanese Players Win the Deaf Champions League

Photo Credits: CSS Reims on Instagram

CSS Reims, a Deaf football club, hosted the Deaf Champions League in Reims. The club featured three Japanese footballers signed for the tournament - all three were pivotal in the tournament win, as the hosts went on to win on penalties against powerhouses POK Athens.

Kodai Hayashi, was amongst the top scorers with four goals - his barrage of early goals, two against TSV Essen, then two more against PAOKM Tripoli, meant he was one of the most valuable players of the tournament.

Yuya Okada made a name for himself in the game against English Champions St. John's - scoring both goals to sink them 2-0.

Yuto Nakao was also part of the side which won the trophy outright, beating several top sides to ensure victory on home soil.

Brondby's Suzuki Replacement

Via @hochi_football on X.

With Yuito Suzuki taking his leave from the Danish side Brondby, it seemed like the side wanted to invest in another Japanese talent as a direct replacement. While Kotaro Uchino was an option, he seems more a raw talent than a direct solution.

Sho Fukuda is set to complete a move outside of Japan, with Brondby willing to bring him to Denmark and succeed the free-scoring Suzuki. Shonan Bellmare will miss the talisman as he has netted five goals so far this season.

More Danish sides are seemingly tapping into the underrated Japanese market. With Suzuki's impressive performances, clubs such as Randers, AGF, and others may look to follow suit.

In addition to this news, FC Tokyo's Brandon Taishi Nozawa seems set on a move to Royal Antwerp in Belgium.

Who's Next? European Exits!

After Sota Kitano, Sho Fukuda, Taishi Brandon Nozawa's immenent exits, who will look to be the next player picked up by a European side? Several names will make the list, but it does not mean immediate exits, but future prospects.

Tokyo Verdy's new signing from Toyo University, Yuta Arai has been impressive so far. Being able to play left-wing-back as well as in the left wing, and attacking midfield. Arai sounds like a player who could make a name for himself in the long-run.

Sota Miura could also be one of the players scouted by European teams - his impressive impact on the Kawasaki Frontale squad going forward as well as in defence makes him one of the more underrated gems in the league.

Yuto Ozeki and Kota Takai are another pair of players which have constantly been coveted as invaluable gems. Takai even going as far as to being name-dropped by Liverpool fans on signing suggestions online.

Gamba Osaka boys Gaku Nawata and Rui Araki will take part in a series of trials at Ajax Amsterdam this summer. This could potentially mean that the Dutch giants will sign the pair, if successful at the trials.

Rui Araki was frequently named as one of Japan's top goalkeeping prospects, with no surprise to European interest.

J-League Summer Arrivals!

Dion Cools - Cerezo Osaka

What to expect from Cerezo Osaka's new arrival? Dion Cools is a Belgian-turned-Malaysian full-back who has represented both countries at some point. Cools opted for Belgium as a youngster, but seems to have changed allegiance to Malaysia in senior football.

The defender brings a plethora of European experience with sides such as OH Leuven, Club Brugge, Midtjylland and Jablonec. Cools was once dubbed as a promising player but has since went under the radar.

He had captained Thai football side Buriram United to the Thai League Cup - which grabbed the attention of Cerezo.

A physical but intense presence in the defence, Cools is able to play both full-back and centre-back, which is a great tribute to his versatility and athleticism.

Kim Seung-Gyu - FC Tokyo

A replacement for Taishi Brandon Nozawa, Al Shabab goalkeeper will look set to join FC Tokyo as part of the transfer merry-go-round.

The 6 ft 2ins goalkeeper already has a host of J-League experience having represented Ulsan Hyundai from 2008 to 2015, before making the move to Vissel Kobe until 2019 - then back to Hyundai before going on to represent Kashiwa Reysol.

Tokyo have went for a more experienced option as opposed to a young goalkeeper like Nozawa.