2 years ago the club made a big deal about the priority countries we were scouting in and appointment of a representative to allow us to secure Far Eastern talent, Fujita was appointed as our Head if Football Development in Asia.
——
In July, United’s reach was widened further with the appointment of Toshiya Fujita, a 45-year-old who played at international level for Japan, as their head of recruitment for Asia.
Orta said: “We are watching players around the world. We have eight countries as priorities but we have a special group of scouts who watch the leagues a little bit lower. We are close to signing a big surprise from Asia.
—-
https://www.leedsunited.com/news/club-news/22205/whites-make-key-staff-appointment
The only result of this I can see is Ideguchi who cost us 500k and we’re probably going to end up giving back to his previous club. Perhaps he was also involved in the Myanmar trip, who knows.
Real waste of time and money for all concerned.
I would wish Ideguchi well for the future and genuinely hope the club rethinks the recruitment strategy at Leeds, really hope we see MB driving that this summer.
Toshiya Fujita
posted on 19/6/19
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 14 minutes ago
Nah, everyone was saying it was smart business to get him cheap before his price went up at World Cup and how it made sense to send him out on loan.
Complete waste of time.
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Were they? I do not recall that last part at all.
posted on 19/6/19
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 42 minutes ago
Nah, everyone was saying it was smart business to get him cheap before his price went up at World Cup and how it made sense to send him out on loan.
Complete waste of time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That’s exactly what the thought at the time was.
He was a hot property expected to go to the World Cup and were getting him on the cheap
posted on 20/6/19
Managers haven’t played him at Leeds, and he’s fsiled massively on two loan spells in second rate divisions.
It’s obvious why he hasn’t been given a chance
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Yes I know, that's been said before about Peacock-Farrell - I was referring to Ideguchi ....
posted on 20/6/19
comment by Kebablegs (U17699)
posted 8 hours, 59 minutes ago
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 42 minutes ago
Nah, everyone was saying it was smart business to get him cheap before his price went up at World Cup and how it made sense to send him out on loan.
Complete waste of time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That’s exactly what the thought at the time was.
He was a hot property expected to go to the World Cup and were getting him on the cheap
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That bit I agree with.
I think a lot of people weren't enthused by the Leonesa loan though.
posted on 20/6/19
comment by Kebablegs (U17699)
posted 9 hours, 6 minutes ago
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 42 minutes ago
Nah, everyone was saying it was smart business to get him cheap before his price went up at World Cup and how it made sense to send him out on loan.
Complete waste of time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That’s exactly what the thought at the time was.
He was a hot property expected to go to the World Cup and were getting him on the cheap
-----------------------
Kebab, me too....
posted on 20/6/19
It was a gamble at the time, not helped by the way he was farmed out to Spain. Far better to have brought him into the U23s to develop there and within the culture of the club and the area. Whoever and for whatever reason they shipped him out, I don't believe it gave him a reasonable chance of developing.
posted on 20/6/19
comment by VOF - are we there yet? (U17124)
posted 38 seconds ago
It was a gamble at the time, not helped by the way he was farmed out to Spain. Far better to have brought him into the U23s to develop there and within the culture of the club and the area. Whoever and for whatever reason they shipped him out, I don't believe it gave him a reasonable chance of developing.
----------
totally agree VOF - in hindsight - he was shipped there to get first team football, but it didn't work out.
thing is if we didn't try and make deals like this, fans would say we're not being pro-active.. but of course if it all falls flat on its face, it appears to be a waste of time... the risk you take eh?
posted on 20/6/19
It does seem to be damned if they do, damned if they don't.
The problem they bring on themselves (the management of the club) is that our batting average with unearthing "gems" isn't great. That gives ammunition to those thinking they should be doing better. (and I do think they should be doing much better).
posted on 20/6/19
Agree again VOF...
posted on 20/6/19
It was a coc k up from the time we signed him. The potential was there but the mix up with his work permit status evidently meant we agreed to loan him before we found out he could have played here.
I was excited at the time because he was hot property and I know how mad they are about football in the Far East. It could have put us on the map over in Japan but it was a complete shambles after he signed.
Bad planning and bad injuries weren’t the lads fault and I hope he gets back to his best.