Profile
Season stats
Full career & schedule →Domestic-league season · Vissel Kobe.
Performance data · by competition
| Competition | Apps | G | A | Min | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 J1 League | 31 | 1 | 1 | 2362 | 7.04 |
 AFC Champions League Elite | 6 | 1 | 2 | 450 | 7.38 |
 Friendlies Clubs | 4 | 1 | 0 | 360 | 7.83 |
Scout report
G. Sakai is a 35-year-old full-back at Vissel Kobe, enjoying a standout season — 1 goals and 1 assists in 31 appearances, a Season grade of 43, top 7% of J1 League full-backs. On long-term scout potential he's rated 18.3, ranking 304th of 377 in the J1 League. A seasoned veteran, he has been a regular starter (72.9% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 3.77 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Sakai.
Judged on this season alone, Sakai graded 43 — an excellent campaign that ranks top 8% of the 54 full-backs in the J1 League, on 10 clean sheets and 3.772 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 40 → 43). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has trended upward, peaking in 2021/22.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 18, 46th of 54 of the 54 full-backs in the J1 League. At 35 Sakai is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 2.5 reflects that trajectory.
Past his 2021/22 peak — the recent trend is downward, so buyers are paying for what's left, not what was.
Output in context · Vissel Kobe finished 5th of 20 · an upper-table side
3.77 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — solid defensive volume, with 10 clean sheets across 31 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (5th of 20) the side controls more games, so the defensive load is lighter — the value sits as much in composure and ball progression as in raw volume. Going forward he chipped in 1 goal and 1 assist — a useful bonus from the back.
Strengths
- Availability. On the pitch for 72.9% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
- Defensive volume. 3.77 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — does the unseen work.
Watch points
- Age curve. At 35, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
- Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.
Outlook
With a Rating of 18.3, Sakai carries the 46th-highest potential of the full-backs in the J1 League of 54. Defensively he reads as solid defensive volume (3.77 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.6× and falling).
Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.
Transfer news
No transfer news found for this player.
