As the 2025 Japan J1 League season progresses, several young talents are making their mark. Here are three standout U23 players who have been turning heads with their performances. Riku Handa from Gamba Osaka, Jean Claude from Yokohama F. Marinos and Marcelo Ryan from FC Tokyo are analyzed based on data from Comparisonator platform. Their impressive statistics highlight their influence on the pitch and their potential for future success.
Powered by CompaGPT, an advanced AI tool by Comparisonator, this analysis transforms complex football data into clear, actionable insights. With its latest feature, CompaGPT redefines squad analysis, providing an instant, in-depth view of team performance. In just seconds, it highlights standout players, identifies emerging young talents, and detects areas that need reinforcement.
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Riku Handa (RB – ’02) – Gamba Osaka
Riku Handa‘s CompaGPT Parameters League Defensive report:
Riku Handa excels in ball recoveries, averaging 11.06 per match, ranking him 1st among his peers in the same position. He notably surpasses the next best, Niko Takahashi, who averages 6.71. This indicates Handa’s strong ability to regain possession, a critical asset for maintaining team momentum and disrupting opposition play. With an average of 5.53 interceptions per match, Handa ranks 1st, slightly ahead of Yuta Arai, who averages 5.21. This reflects Handa’s keen anticipation and positioning, enabling him to cut off passes effectively, which is crucial for breaking up the opponent’s attacking sequences. Handa leads with 1.53 dribbles against won per match, ahead of Yuta Arai’s 1.0. This demonstrates Handa’s capability in one-on-one defensive situations, highlighting his ability to challenge and dispossess dribbling opponents.
Riku Handa’s performance is characterized by exceptional defensive metrics, particularly in ball recoveries, interceptions, and counterpressing recoveries, positioning him as a leader among his peers. These strengths underline his defensive acumen and ability to disrupt opposition play effectively. However, his tendency to lose possession, especially in his own half, suggests areas for improvement in composure and decision-making under pressure. These adjustments could enhance his already formidable defensive capabilities, making him an even more valuable asset to Gamba Osaka.
Riku Handa (RB – ’02) – Gamba Osaka
Jean Claude (CMF – ’03) – Yokohama F. Marinos
Jean Claude‘s CompaGPT Parameters League Defensive report:
Jean Claude has excelled in ball recoveries, averaging 8.44 per match, making him the top performer in his position, surpassing Zento Uno’s 7.08. His ability to recover the ball, particularly in his own half with an average of 5.13 per match, indicates strong defensive instincts and positioning. Additionally, his interceptions average of 5.06 per match, also the highest in his category, underscores his anticipation and reading of the game. These skills are tactically significant, allowing his team to regain possession and transition from defense to attack efficiently. Averaging 3.75 pass interceptions per match, Jean Claude again ranks at the top, indicating his ability to cut off passing lanes and disrupt the opposition’s build-up play. With 5.13 counterpressing recoveries per match, Jean Claude leads in this category as well. This suggests his effectiveness in applying pressure immediately after losing possession, disrupting the opposition’s play and recovering the ball high up the pitch. It highlights his role in a high-press system, offering tactical value in maintaining pressure on opponents.
Jean Claude’s standout performance in ball recoveries, interceptions, and defensive actions highlight his defensive prowess and effectiveness in regaining possession. His strengths lie in his anticipation, positioning, and ability to execute defensive duties, making him a valuable asset in midfield. However, addressing his tendency to lose possession, particularly in his own half, could further elevate his contribution to the team’s defensive stability.
Jean Claude (CMF – ’03) – Yokohama F. Marinos
Marcelo Ryan (CF – ’02) – FC Tokyo
Marcelo Ryan‘s CompaGPT Parameters League Offensive report:
Marcelo Ryan is the top-ranked player in goals per match with 0.29, surpassing Akito Suzuki who averages 0.26. His expected goals (xG) also lead at 0.35 compared to Suzuki’s 0.29. These statistics highlight Marcelo’s proficiency in finding scoring opportunities and converting them, making him a reliable option for spearheading attacks and finishing chances. With an average of 2.32 shots per match and 0.96 shots on target, Marcelo leads in both categories, with Suzuki trailing at 1.97 and 0.74 respectively. This indicates Marcelo’s capability to create shooting opportunities and maintain accuracy. Tactically, Marcelo can be utilized as a focal point in offensive strategies that emphasize frequent shooting and capitalizing on goal-scoring chances.
Marcelo Ryan’s most notable strengths lie in his goal-scoring capabilities, shooting accuracy, dribbling skills, and ability to create opportunities. While his involvement in team scoring plays and assist numbers require attention, his strengths position him as a key offensive player. Enhancing his assist and scoring attack involvement may further amplify his impact on the team’s performance.
Marcelo Ryan (CF – ’02) – FC Tokyo
