Two attackers who are similar yet different were approached. The theme is "dribbling."
When asked, "Is your strength dribbling?" Keita ENDO tilts his head, while Kota TAWARATSUMIDA confidently swings vertically. Their answers have parts that resonate with each other, as well as parts that are completely opposite. Although both play as left wingers, their ways of thinking are distinct.
In the first part, we talked about each other's play and dribbling impressions, as well as our dominant foot and spacing. The two of us, who empathized with each other, particularly agreed on the differences in vision and feel between the right and left sides. There was something there that only dribblers could understand.
──How do you feel about the preparations and readiness just before the opening?
Keita ENDO I wasn't able to play much in Germany, so my personal theme from camp was to improve my physical condition. I was able to play for 60 minutes and 90 minutes, and I think I'm in good shape. The team's challenge is how we enter crosses. It's the same for me when the ball is on the opposite side; there are scenes where I want players to come in when I trap the ball and look inside, so I hope we can all improve that before the season starts.
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA I still feel that there are parts of improving my condition and adjusting that are difficult, but since I am young, I hope to keep pushing forward. However, I believe I gained experience related to playing over the course of last season. I think I have been able to showcase my dribbling, goals, and assists in this year's preseason practice matches, so I want to improve my stamina, defense, and off-the-ball aspects.
──I think they are a competitor for the left wing position, but do you see them as a rival?
Endo It's definitely hard to say even though you're right next to me (laughs).
Tawaramizuki I don't think so. I believe there is a lot to learn from Keita-kun. Watching Keita-kun's play, I think he handles everything at a high level compared to me, not just dribbling but also the quality of crosses and the movements into the box, which is impressive. I want to absorb that more and more. He is truly a role model (laughs).
Endo Stop lifting me up too much (laughs). When I came to Tokyo, I was told, "There are players who are fast, young, and resemble you," but when I played together, I was surprised that he goes forward more often than I do. I think he is doing much better than I was in my second year as a pro, and I really can't afford to be complacent.
Tawaramizuta During practice, I often end up on the opposite team and on the opposite side, so I can't talk much, but we do have conversations after practice.
Endo During cross training, we end up on the left side together. But honestly, I don't really have any advice to give. I don't often think things like, "You should fix this" or "It would be better if you did it this way."
Tawaramizuta I'm glad to hear that (laughs)
Keita ENDO reflects on how he was "away from dribbling" in Germany, while Kota TAWARATSUMIDA was trying to prove himself by focusing on dribbling in his first professional season last year. Although their situations are slightly different, they both agree that their type as "dribblers" is the same. Footwork, timing, vision──. Even when summarizing it as dribbling, there are many aspects to consider. Surprisingly, the conversation progressed with the junior asking, "How about you, Keita-san?"
──I believe the common factor between the two of you is "dribbling." Does it resonate with you to be described as having dribbling as your weapon or as a dribbler in your playing style?
Endo I don't really have that much. Rather, I feel like I can't initiate plays as much as before. That's because I haven't had many opportunities to play in a wide position in Germany, and I've been playing as an inside midfielder all the time, so I think I'm a bit rusty. Of course, I like dribbling, but I think it's good to go for it when I can initiate, and if I can't, I should choose to pass to a teammate if they're in a good position.
Tawaramizuki I have always been known for my dribbling, so I am aware of that. Since elementary school, I have been focusing on dribbling and have been honing my skills. The inspiration came from my older brother, who was fast and played soccer, and I started playing soccer influenced by his dribbling. I think that inspiration was significant.
──I think there are similarities and differences, but what kind of players do you see each other as?
Tawaramizuta The way to dribble is the same, right?
Endo The way of holding and carrying the ball, as well as the timing, is the same, right? I think I'm better at pushing the ball forward by about 2 or 3 meters to create space and getting it to the cross, but in a straight line, Tawara is faster. He's quick at breaking through vertically.
Tawaramizuta When you make a move, are you watching your opponent?
Endo The opponent is watching. They are not checking every detail of my foot movements until the end, but it's better for us to take the initiative, so I am conscious of trying to take control rather than letting the defender take control.
Tawaramizuta I see. I usually just go by my instincts... (wry smile).
──Is there anything important to keep in mind when attempting a dribble?
Tawaramizuki I believe, just as Keita-kun said, that taking the initiative is important. If the opponent takes control, you won't be able to play your game, so it's crucial to make the first move. Depending on the opponent, they might try to prevent you from facing forward or even stop you from dribbling altogether, so if you can create space to dribble before they can respond, you can impose your style. Rather than focusing on which situation is advantageous, I think that once you start to take the initiative, you've gained the upper hand.
Endo It's better to have distance from the opponent you're facing, so you can initiate on your own terms and at your own pace.
Tawaramizuki There probably isn't a player who prefers to be closer to the opponent (laughs). If it's a defensive midfielder, there might be players who are good at evading and keeping possession with their footwork, but I think the sides are not that kind of area; it's an area where you try to shake off the opponent, so being too close is not good either.
──The main battleground is the left side, but is there a different feeling for a dribbler between the right side and the left side?
Endo That's not right.
Tawaramizuta is completely different.
Endo The biggest difference is the dominant foot. Until now, I could handle the ball with the inside of my foot equally well on both the right and left sides, but even so, it feels awkward on the right side, and the sensation is completely different. To put it simply, in the Japan national team, Junya Ito (Stade de Reims) goes vertically on the right side, right? But for Takefusa KUBO (Real Sociedad), he initially uses his left foot on the right side and moves to the center. Each player has their own style, so there are challenges and adjustments to that.
Tawaramizuki When standing on the right side, both the sensation and the scenery are completely different. I guess the difference in dominant foot is the biggest factor. When holding the ball with the right foot on the left side, most people would dribble with the outside of their foot, but that is the best way to head towards the goal. On the right side, you can also hold the ball with your right foot and head towards the goal, but it is definitely easier to make a move when the right foot is on the inside.
Endo Isn't that where your dominant foot is the biggest? I don't think there are many players who are right-footed and go vertically with their left foot. But, Sei MUROYA might do that.
Tawaramizuta Is he right-handed and does he have a left foot? That's amazing.
──It really doesn't make much difference which foot you hold it with.
Tawaramizuta It's not easy to play on the opposite side the same way you do on your preferred side.
Endo I think it's also about getting used to it. It's about whether that person can find a style that suits them while playing in that position. However, I don't think there are many people who can make plays from both sides and deliver crosses.
The second part is here
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
