“Are Celtic’s Japanese Stars Past Their Best? Andy Walker Predicts End of the Road for Maeda & Hatate”

Recent pundit commentary has stirred fresh debate among fans of Celtic Football Club, with veteran analyst Andy Walker making bold claims about two of the team’s key Japanese players — Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate. Walker’s verdict? This could be the final chapter at Parkhead for both players if they don’t turn their seasons around.

Struggles on the Pitch

Walker’s view stems from both men’s current dip in form. Hatate, normally a creative midfield presence, was recently scrutinised after a costly mistake led to a penalty for Livingston — and Walker suggested it might be time for him to lose his place temporarily in the starting XI to find confidence again.

Meanwhile, Maeda — who once electrified Scottish football with blistering pace and a PFA Player of the Year-winning season — has yet to recapture that spark this campaign. The forward is playing well below the high standards he set previously, and Walker believes both he and Hatate may have run their course at Celtic unless they rediscover their best form before the season ends.

Why This Matters

Walker’s assessment resonates beyond just match performance:

• Maeda’s Blocked Transfer: Earlier in the season, Maeda openly admitted he wanted a move away — only for Celtic to block it — and pundits speculated this block may have affected his focus and sharpness.
• Legacy and Timing: If both players fail to make a strong impact before the campaign’s conclusion, Walker argues their legacies at Celtic could be overshadowed by disappointment rather than remembered for their earlier success.

 The Bigger Picture

Celtic’s squad is at a crossroads. With new tactics, fresh faces and evolving expectations under manager Brendan Rodgers, long-serving players must justify their place or risk being phased out. Walker’s blunt but insightful commentary has sparked fresh debate among supporters over who should lead the club forward — and who’s time might be running out.

Wout van Aert kende een dramatische afloop aan de cross in Mol, maar ook Mathieu van der Poel kwam niet ongeschonden uit deze wedstrijd. De Nederlander had het bijzonder koud, en kwam zelf eerder ook ten val. Vader Adrie zag daar een probleem.

 

Valpartij had invloed

Nochtans maakte Van der Poel duidelijk dat hij geen schade heeft overgehouden aan zijn tuimeling: “Eigenlijk viel ik zelfs nog zacht”, aldus de Nederlander. “Ik kreeg gewoon mijn voet niet uit mijn klikpedaal in het zand, waardoor ik stomweg omviel. Maar ik heb er gelukkig geen last van.”

 

Zo zag vader Adrie het echter niet tijdens de wedstrijd. In een interview met Sporza stelde hij immers dat Van der Poel last ondervond van zijn eerdere valpartij, eerder nog dan van de koude. Al voegde Adrie er ook wel aan toe dat zijn zoon niet bepaald staat te springen voor een koers in de sneeuw.

 

Van der Poel viseert enkel de koude

Reken daarbij nog de haast ondragelijke koude, en we kregen een verkleumde Van der Poel te zien na de finish. In zijn interviews achteraf stond hij nog steeds te bibberen, en maakte de wereldkampioen duidelijk dat hij behoorlijk hard had afgezien.

 

“Het was geen aangename cross. Ik heb het nu al een beetje warmer, maar ik heb zeker veel koud geleden vandaag”, luidde het bij MVDP. “Je weet ook dat wanneer je nadien weer opwarmt, het vijf minuten echt veel pijn gaat doen. Met dat gevoel was ik de laatste rondes al bezig.”

 

Voor Van der Poel was de conclusie dan ook duidelijk: “Dit was de moeilijkste wedstrijd van het jaar. Na een tijd hadden mijn handen en voeten zo veel koud dat het niet meer vanzelf ging.” Nu maar hopen dat vader Adrie toch geen gelijk krijgt over een mogelijke blessure, die door onderkoeling mogelijk onder de radar zou zijn gebleven.

 

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Manchester United vs Chelsea: Get the detailed Preview, Head-to-Head, Team news and Prediction Tips here as the Red Devils welcome Gunners.

The Red Devils will be hosting visitors Chelsea at Old Trafford in the Premier League fixture on Thursday

Here is a thorough match preview on the recent performance, Current form, Head-to-Head, and statistics for Manchester United vs Chelsea – along with the latest betting tips.

Manchester United

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Manchester United have not been in their best performance in recent time. The red devils have only one win in their last six matches. They will be hoping to return to winning ways after the 3-1 Premier League defeat in their last game at Emirates Stadium.

In their away match at Emirates Stadium, Manchester United were outclassed by the Gunners, as the Red Devils managed 45% possession and 14 shot attempt with only 5 of them on target. Cristiano Ronaldo came to the rescue in 34th-minute after the visitors were 2-0 down.

While Arsenal on the other hand enjoyed 55% ball possession, had 14 shots with 7 on target. Two early goals from Nuno Tavares in the 3rd minute, and Bukayo Saka in the 32nd minute gave the gunners a comfortable lead. Bruno Fernandes failed to convert a spot-kick as Granit Xhaka sealed the victory for Arsenal in the 70th minute.

Manchester United’s recent performance has been worse than usual. They have conceded in all of their last 6 matches, amounting to 12 goals conceded in 6 matches. This is the kind of record every Chelsea fan will like to hear right now.

PRE-MATCH FACTS

The Red Devils have not lost any of their league matches against Chelsea in their last 8 matches. That is quite a long run between the two clubs without a loss.
However, despite their 8 matches unbeaten run against the Blues, they haven’t won against Chelsea in their last 3 premier league matches.
And lastly, Manchester United haven’t lost against Chelsea in their previous 7 league matches at home.

Chelsea

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Chelsea are heading into the match against Manchester United as the favorite contenders. The blues recorded a slim 1-0 victory against West Ham United in the Premier League fixture on Sunday

Chelsea who welcomed West Ham United enjoyed a 67% possession and 26 shots attempt with only 5 on target. Despite the large possession of the ball, the blue’s attack was blunt firing 21 shots off-target. Thanks to Christian Pulisic’s stoppage-time goal that secured the victory for the home team. West Ham United tried to get at least a point off the current world champions, managed 33% ball possession, and got 6 attempts with only 2 on target.

Looking at their last 6 premier league fixtures, Chelsea have won 4 and loss 2 scoring 15 goals. Remarkably, the blues scored in all of their last 6 premier league matches and conceded 9 goals.

PAST MEETINGS WITH MANCHESTER UNITED

In their previous meetings, Chelsea have not won against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the previous 8 league matches. Also, Chelsea have not been defeated in their last 5 away league matches

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This fixture is one of the biggest matches in the English Premier League. Looking at their head-to-head meetings in the Premier League stretching from the 2018/2019 season to date, both teams have met six times, Manchester United won 2 of these games while Chelsea won 1, and a record of 3 draws.

INJURY UPDATE: Manchester United

According to Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick, the following players will not be available for the match against Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Paul Pogba (Calf Injury)

Fred (Problems with the hip flexor)

Edinson Cavani (Calf Injury)

Luke Shaw (Leg Injury)

INJURY UPDATE: Chelsea

According to Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, only Ben Chilwell who suffered a Ruptured cruciate ligament, and will not be available for the trip to Old Trafford.

Prediction

Considering their recent performance, Manchester United will need a miracle to win all 3 points against this Chelsea side. I think the best the Red devils can do is to pick a point.
I’m tipping over 1.5 goals for this match.