Keita Kosugi
Full name in native alphabet: 小杉 啓太
Country: Japan
Date of birth: 18/03/2006 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Japan
Height: 169cm
Youth career: Shonan Bellmare
Current club: Shonan Bellmare
Squad number: —
Current national team: Japan U-17
Position: central defender, left-back
Preferred foot: left
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup (6/0)
Contract until: unknown
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: César Azpilicueta/Lisandro Martínez
Strengths:
– pace 
– tackling
– bravery
– tenacity
– determination
– work rate
– agility
– versatility
– acceleration 
– anticipation
– passing
To improve:
– strong for a player of his size and absolutely not afraid of contact duels, but still need to work to build more muscles/physical strength
– operating with his weaker right foot
Style of play:
– versatile defender
– quick and agile
– ideal option to play as a left-sided centre-back in a three-man defence system
– equally good to play as a left-back
– perfect option for a high-intensity and pressing team
– able to play in a high defensive line thanks to his good pace and determination
– likes an active style of defending and often tries to press, anticipate, and outpace his opponents
– comfortable on the ball with an above-average range of passing at all distances/takes a major impact on all of the team’s build-up process
– a modern defender who doesn’t limit himself only to defensive duties and thanks to his natural verticality, he is able to make dangerous on and off the ball runs to surprise the opposite team
– decent composure and retention skills under pressure
– likes to spread play with long-range diagonals
– above-average heading ability for a player of his frame thanks to his good jumping technique and agility
– combative and tenacious tackler
– determined and committed player with a very good rate of individual and collective work
– tactically astute and technically capable of playing in various tactical systems
– charismatic with good leadership skills
Kosugi stays well on his feet and makes a good tackle.
Kosugi reads the game well, anticipates the pass, outoaces his opponent, and wins the ball back.
Kosugi creates a big chance with a good cross after a very well timed run.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Central defender in 3-5-2.
Video:
Achievements:
2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup winner with Japan.
League summary (as for 2 October 2023):
No senior team appearances yet.
Description:
Keita Kosugi is considered to be one of the most talented U17s in Asia. He is a product of the Shanon Bellmare youth academy. In June 2023, he was Japan’s captain and leader at the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, where young Samurais won the gold medal in great style and showed a very interesting generation of players such as Ryunosuke Sato, Yumeki Yoshinaga, Gaku Nawata, Yutaka Michiwaki, Ryunosuke Yada, Shuto Nagano, and Yotaro Nakajima.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
First team material in a top European league.
Links: