Q, First, please tell us about the 2021 season with Nagoya Grampus.
A, I wasn't unable to play in games, and we were always in the top ranks for the league. We also had a good competition with Kawasaki Frontale in the early stages. We also competed in the ACL, so the team was doing well. However, personally, it wasn't a satisfying season for me. As I played more in the defensive midfield, I had complex feelings of fighting for both my personal emotions and the team. I think the reason I couldn't play in that position anymore was because I didn't get results when I played as a center back. It was a year with a lot of things to think about.

Q, During your time at Cerezo Osaka, you played under coach LOTINA and formed a solid defense partnership with Matej JONJIC as center back. However, when you transferred to Grampus, you had to understand that there were rivals like Yuichi MARUYAMA and Shinnosuke NAKATANI in the same position.A, My time at Cerezo was very fulfilling, but I wanted to challenge myself by changing my environment, not just playing in games. When I joined Grampus, I was determined to take the starting position from the two established regulars, but my priority was to change my environment. I also had the mindset of winning the competition. At the beginning of the season, I started on the bench and occasionally played as center back. I was able to handle it without getting too down, and I understood the situation since I joined a team that was already established. Then, Maru-san (Yuichi MARUYAMA) got injured and the situation changed, but I started playing more as a defensive midfielder instead of center back. I had a similar experience at Cerezo, but it may seem like a luxury problem since I was still able to play in games, but I did have some inner conflicts.

Q, Kimoto is a player who can play at a high level as a center back or a defensive midfielder, but your true desire is to compete as a defender, isn't it?
A, That desire is very strong. In midfield, I feel like I have reached my limit, but as a center back, I can show my strengths and I still have room to grow. At my age, I want to compete as a center back from now on. Under coach Lotina, I experienced playing as a center back and it gave me a lot of new skills. That time was the foundation for me as a player.

Q, How did you feel when you received an offer from Tokyo?
A, I never thought I would receive an offer, so I felt very grateful. With the new coach, Albert Puig Ortoneda, taking over and emphasizing the importance of positioning and the ball, I felt that it was a challenging and growing environment. I have the desire to challenge myself once again here.

Q, Have you ever talked to coach Albert? What was your impression at that time?
A, He was a very cheerful person and a good talker. I thought he was different from coach LOTINA, even though they are both foreign coaches. He also said, "Our personalities are completely opposite (laughs)." I was very nervous, but he also told me to "smile more (laughs)." He also said, "I think you can grow more because I have a style of valuing the ball."

Q, What is your impression of Tokyo's attack and defense so far?
A, Speaking of attack, there are definitely strong attackers that leave an impact. Not only foreign players, but also Japanese players like Kensuke NAGAI, who is a senior from Fukuoka University, have a diverse impression. As for defense, Masato MORISHIGE is definitely a player who embodies the style I aim for, and there are many things I want to learn from him.

Q, What do you think about Morishige as a fellow center back?
A, First of all, he is able to make both long kicks and short passes in building up attacks. In terms of defense, he uses his head a lot to defend. I think it's a style that I want to learn and aim for on both sides. I don't have a specific image yet when it comes to actually playing together, but he is an excellent player so I may also rely on him a lot, but I definitely want to form a good partnership with him.

Q, Mori Shige player is a versatile type, and like Kimoto player, he also had the opportunity to play as an anchor. However, both of them have the impression of being the mainstream type of center back in modern football.
A, that's right. Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA also said, "Center backs have a lot of time handling the ball." In that sense, I think it will be difficult for the opponent if we can get the ball out from both center backs. In addition to Mori Shige player, there are also young and good center backs in the team, so I want to win the competition there.

Q, By the way, the name of my senior at university, Nagai, came up, but are there any other players with connections?
A, There are absolutely none (laughs).

Q, Is it really jumping into a zero-base place? (laughs)
A, Yes, that's also part of the challenge. (laughs) By the way, when I transferred to Grampus, Yoichiro KAKITANI also went from Cerezo, but there were no other players I was close with besides him. Personality-wise, I don't think jumping into an unknown environment suits me. I'm not the type to actively talk to others, but I transferred from Nagoya to Tokyo this time. It's contradictory, isn't it? (laughs).

Q, Kimoto has won the cup title during his time at Cerezo and Grampus, but has yet to experience a league victory. Tokyo is in the same position, so please tell us about your thoughts towards winning the league.
A, Winning a title is an irreplaceable and unforgettable experience in my soccer career. I have a strong desire to experience winning the league title, which I have not yet achieved. I definitely want to accomplish this in Tokyo.

Q, By the way, does Kimoto watch overseas soccer or other J-League games?
A, I don't watch overseas games that much. I've been watching a lot of J-League games since my student days. The players I liked were Urawa Reds' Yuki Abe and Ryota Moriwaki. After entering Fukuoka University, I started watching Reds' soccer, which was led by Misha (Mihailo Petrovic, current Consadole Sapporo coach), and I really liked it because it was very attacking and interesting. Moriwaki is a great player who is good at attacking even though he is a DF, and I also liked attacking even though I was a DF, so I watched him. Abe is a player with high quality as a defensive midfielder or center back, and like Morishige, I have always watched him as a player I want to aim for. Also, I respected his attitude of fighting for the team.

Q, Starting life in Tokyo for the first time, after living in Shizuoka, Fukuoka during university, and then Osaka and Nagoya. You've conquered all the major cities, haven't you? (laughs)
A, Now that I think about it, yes (laughs). To be honest, I'm a bit anxious about living in Tokyo. I really like the slow atmosphere of Shizuoka, and that's where I feel most at home. Even when I go to the city, I still feel that way. I'll be going to Japan's capital, but I'm not really good with crowds, so who knows what will happen (laughs).

Q, Depending on the impact of the coronavirus, there is a possibility that the restrictions on spectators will be eased for the 2022 season, and I think many fans and supporters will return to Tokyo's home, Ajinomoto Stadium. What are you looking forward to about playing at Ajinomoto Stadium, which was previously a stadium you visited as an away team?
A, I had heard before that the attendance in 2019 was amazing, and when I played as a member of Cerezo, it was a game with a lot of fans in the stadium and it was a great atmosphere. The matches between Tokyo and Cerezo at Ajinomoto Stadium were often interesting battles tactically, as they were teams led by managers Kenta HASEGAWA and LOTINA. I have fond memories of those matches as they were fights where each team's strengths were showcased. This time, I want to play in a sold-out game at Ajinomoto Stadium as a home team as soon as possible.

Q, What do you want Tokyo fans and supporters to see?
A, As a player, I think I'm a quiet type, but I've always had a strong desire to contribute to the team, so I want them to see that even in a supporting role. In terms of playing, my weapon is aerial battles. I'm particularly good at competing on the defensive side, so I want people to pay attention to that. On the other hand, heading on the offensive side has been a challenge since 2017, as I haven't been able to score goals. I want to improve on that. Mori Shige has been scoring goals every season, so I want to learn from him. Also, while I couldn't do it much during my time at Grampus, I want people to see my passing from the back line.

Q, and in the context of your own soccer career, it seems to have meaning to compete here as a center back.
A, yes, I want to challenge as a center back, and on the other hand, I also have a strong feeling that if I don't get results here, it will be the end. I want to do it with a sense of crisis.

text by YUKI NISHIKAWA