Daizen Maeda has described the pressure to perform at Ipswich Town as a completely different level to what he experienced at Celtic. The 29-year-old forward has scored just once in ten Premier League appearances since his summer move.
Maeda joined the newly-promoted Blues in a deal worth an initial £8million, with potential add-ons taking the total to £10million. He left Celtic Park having won a Premiership and Scottish Cup double, and after netting 50 goals in 149 Scottish Premiership games.
"The chances are on a completely different level compared to when I was at Celtic," Maeda said. He has been used in various attacking and midfield roles by manager Gary O'Neil but has yet to register an assist for his new club. His solitary goal came in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City in October.
Despite his rocky start in England, Maeda was selected by Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Paraguay. He views the international call-up as a welcome opportunity to regain form. "I always thought that a chance would come someday, and I felt like that chance had finally arrived," he said.
Maeda is preparing for a trip to face Tottenham on 21 November.
The original report is at Daily Record Football
