Comparing Tuta to replacement candidate Itakura
After six and a half years at the club, Tuta’s time with Eintracht Frankfurt could come to an end. According to Christopher Michel, Napoli, Betis, Villareal and Crystal Palace are interested in signing the Brazilian, who only has one year left on his contract. Ko Itakura was identified as the preferred replacement should Tuta leave the club. In this report we‘ll compare the two defenders, evaluating who would be the better option for Dino Toppmöller.
STATISTICAL VIEW
If we look at the statistical profiles of both Tuta and Ko Itakura, we can see that they both like taking on opponents. While Tuta ranks in the 86th percentile for Successful Take-Ons (compared to center backs) Itakura is in the 85th. You might have seen Itakura‘s goal against Dortmund where he stormed through the whole BVB team before finishing it into the bottom right corner. (slide through below)
Another stat that will quickly catch your eye is Itakura‘s Non-Penalty Goals where he ranks in the 89th percentile (Tuta: 71st percentile). Itakura can be a real aerial threat from corners, but also from open play, as the goal against Dortmund showed.
In terms of attacking, Itakura gets the nod.
Ko Itakura’s offensive stats (via FBref)
Defensively, Tuta‘s statistical profile looks better. Especially in the categories Tackles, Interceptions and Blocks, Tuta is among the best defenders in the Top Five Leagues. Itakura’s defensive stats are pretty average. Watching him play, you can see that Itakura is surely not an average defender; Tuta is definitely the more aggressive and effective tackler though.
Tuta’s defensive stats (via FBref)
Looking at the two defenders‘ passing statistics, we can see that Tuta is a more progressive passer, while Itakura is playing it more safe. Itakura is a great passer, who can play it both short and long, he just takes a little fewer risks. He only ranks in the 18th percentile for Progressive Passes (Tuta: 53rd percentile).
TACTICAL VIEW
Ko Itakura was often praised by coaches and experts for his great tactical understanding and discipline. As explained, he is the less risky player, also the less creative one. He stands out more for his reliability in defensive positioning. His reading of the game, as well as his work rate allow him to be in the right place at the right time. In that aspect of the game, Itakura could bring more defensive safety, compared to Tuta.
In terms of versatility, the two are pretty much the same. Both are naturally center backs, but they could also play in defensive midfield or even at right back, if needed.
PHYSICALITY AND ATHLETICISM
In the physical aspect of the game, both defenders are quite similar. They’re not outstanding but they still have everything a good defender needs. They both have a top speed of around 34km/h. They are also both physically strong and cover a lot of ground. It can be argued that Itakura‘s work rate is slightly higher, as he runs around half a kilometer more per match. His coaches always describe the Japanese as a hard-working professional on and off the pitch.
SOFT FACTORS
Tuta is the second longest serving player behind Timmy Chandler in the squad. Since joining in January 2019, Tuta has made almost 200 appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt. Since David Abraham’s retirement, Tuta has always been the first choice in the right center back position. He knows the club, the system and his role very well. As our squads have experienced many rebuilds in the past years, this type of player is rare and important.
With Ko Itakura, we‘d be signing a player likely to settle in quickly. The 28-year-old knows the Bundesliga as he’s played for both Schalke and Gladbach in the last four seasons. *He speaks both English and German, even if not fluently.* The Japanese international has competed at many different international tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup. He’s an established defender who has played on a good Bundesliga level for some years now. If both Ritsu Doan and Ko Itakura were to sign, the two could help each other settle in quickly, as they’re friends off the pitch.
Ko Itakura at Ritsu Doan’s wedding
CONCLUSION
So who would be the better defender for Dino Toppmöller’s squad?
After reviewing Itakura’s stats, watching him play, and analyzing his strengths and weaknesses, I come to the conclusion that the signing of Ko Itakura would be a slight improvement on our defense. With Tuta we would still lose an important player of the squad – not just on the pitch. That’s why Krösche has offered the Brazilian a new contract and is still trying to persuade him to stay. I would not enjoy seeing Tuta leave the club after such a long time in Frankfurt. However, If Tuta decides to leave, pursuing a new adventure, and we get Itakura as a replacement, I would also be okay with that.
Who would you prefer to see in our defense next season?
