Scout Report – Yosuke Ideguchi
Leeds United have now reached a final agreement to sign Japan international Yosuke Ideguchi from Gamba Osaka. The midfielder has announced himself as quite a talent this season, scoring in recent games for Japan, against Australia in a World Cup qualifier and against North Korea in the East Asian Championships over the weekend.
Don’t expect to see him in the Leeds team for quite some time though, as even after January he will not be eligible to play in England. However, the signing is still exciting some Leeds fans.
History
Ideguchi starting his football education in earnest at Aburayama Kameriazu before being snapped up by Gamba Osaka back in 2009.
He has gone on to play 60 J.League games for Gamba and earlier this year, he was rewarded for his hard work – his first cap for Japan. He has since played 8 times for his country and feels ready now for a more competitive league, with Leeds having taken a chance on the midfielder.
Style Of Play
The 21-year-old is an all-action midfielder, preferring to play right through the middle, combining a fine set of tackling and combative skills with a good passing ability and an eye for goal. His runs from deep have seen him provide 4 goals and 6 assists in 30 J.league games and overall this season, Ideguchi has been involved in a goal every 233 minutes.
Although someone may well be earmarked to leave, next summer could see Kalvin Phillips, Eunan O’Kane, Ronaldo Vieira, Vurnon Anita and Ideguchi all challenging for places in this role.
Ideguchi’s hard running style sets him apart from some of those players and he will be confident of playing first-team football as soon as he is allowed to.
His Future
Due to the FA’s rules denying Ideguchi a work permit for the remainder of the English football season, he will most likely be loaned out abroad until the end of the season.
The club are confident that he will be given a work permit for the 2018-19 season but for now, his international appearances for Japan are not considered to be enough.
A European loan is seen as important to Leeds as the Japanese season finished a number of weeks ago. So otherwise, Ideguchi would be inactive. Once he has that experience, we’re sure to see him in the Leeds United line-up next season and especially if they remain in the Championship.