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Under the microscope: Can the former Newcastle United striker lead Vissel Kobe to the J1 League title?

Vissel Kobe signed former Newcastle United striker and Japanese striker Yoshinori Muto in 2021. The 30-year-old returned to the J1 League after leaving FC Tokyo back in 2015. He gained a bit of European experience by playing for Mainz in Germany, Newcastle United in England, and Eibar in Spain. Now the striker is in his second full season with the club and has made a positive impact on the team. Vissel Kobe are leading the J1 League 2023 table and have a 100% record in the first three matches. Muto has played a key role in his side’s run. We look at some of the stats of the player that show how Yoshinori Muto can lead his side to success in the current season.

Getting on the scoresheet

Yoshinori Muto – Vissel Kobe: J1 League 2023 Data, Stats, Analysis and Scout report Yoshinori Muto – Vissel Kobe: J1 League 2023 Data, Stats, Analysis and Scout report

Yoshinori Muto has started all three games for Vissel Kobe this season. The 30-year-old has one goal to his name in the current season. He plays as a striker and can also play on the right side of the field. His touch map shows that the manager has used him as a wide-right player and as a central striker as well. Muto has managed to take 16 touches inside the opposition penalty box. In these three matches, Muto has attempted 12 shots, and three have been on target. The above xG map shows that most of the shots have been taken just from the edge of the six-yard box. He is a threat in front of the goal, especially in the air.

Yoshinori Muto – Vissel Kobe: J1 League 2023 Data, Stats, Analysis and Scout report

Yoshinori Muto is a threat in the air and has a high aerial duels win rate. The player has contested 15 aerial duels this season and won ten. Against Consadole Sapporo, he contested seven duels and won six. Of these six wins, four came inside the opposition penalty box. The team will look to deliver more crosses and hope their striker gets on the end of every cross.

The creative side

Yoshinori Muto – Vissel Kobe: J1 League 2023 Data, Stats, Analysis and Scout report

The 30-year-old has shown his creativity in the current season by providing four assists in three games. He has provided an assist in every game and has five goal contributions. Muto has delivered four passes into the opposition penalty box and all have found a teammate. A few of his shot assists have been low crosses delivered into the penalty box. Muto will look to add more assists to his name.

What else can he offer?

Yoshinori Muto – Vissel Kobe: J1 League 2023 Data, Stats, Analysis and Scout report

The striker scored six goals last season and averaged 0.24 goals every 90 minutes. He attempted 45 shots with an average of 1.81 shots per 90 and had a decent accuracy rate of 48.9%. Muto took shots from similar positions, and that from the edge of the six-yard box. His average touches inside the box were 3.58 per 90 minutes. This shows that Muto likes to stay inside the box and is a threat to the opposition’s defence, especially in the air.

Betting analysis

Yoshinori Muto’s inclusion in the team will lower the odds rate for Vissel Kobe. Their chances of winning will remain high, and the odds rate will be lower against weaker sides. Looking at his recent form, the over lines are expected to thrive.

Yoshinori Muto has started the season well. He has five goal contributions that have taken his team to the top of the table. The Japanese will hope to continue this form and help his side win the league title.

Visuals via Wyscout and the TFA data viz engine