Gamba Osaka's defensive anchor; Riku Handa

Gamba Osaka is not having its best season when compared to previous years. However, in their darkness, they have a shining light: Riku Handa. The 23-year-old right back is a pivotal part of their defence. Handa has become a solidified starter in Gamba's first team and shows significant defensive impact during their matches. Handa is becoming a frequent name in transfer rumours, even being linked to a transfer to AS Roma in the past.

A quality defender

Handa is a right back that likes to go up and down the field using his speed, making inverted runs or runs out wide, causing big trouble for his defenders. However, he is quick to come back and defend his direct opponent, making them struggle. During the match I watched against FC Tokyo, Riku was defending Kota Tawaratsumida, one of the fastest wingers in the J1. League. Handa had little to no issue catching up to him. He often defended him well in one-on-one situations.

Riku is a wing-back who tends to push forward but excels defensively, winning numerous difficult ground duels and tackles during games. His stats back this as well, having the most tackles completed, duels won (ground and aerial), most recoveries and most interceptions for any J1. league right back, according to Fotmob.

Handa his outstanding statistics.

No one is perfect, nor is Handa.

Obviously, Handa is an elite defensive right back for J1. League standards, but he does have weaknesses he needs to improve on. He is a very poor crosser, hence why he avoids it, and avoids making dribbles with the ball. This limits him a lot as an option in an attacking system. Furthermore, he is prone to making errors under pressure, which gave FC Tokyo quite a few chances during the match.

Final conclusion

The defensive star is good enough to make a step up from Gamba Osaka and the J1 League; moving to a club outside of the top 5 leagues would be a great way to develop himself. It is visible that Handa has all the defensive talent to become a Japanese national team player in the future, if he is to improve his current weaknesses or fit in system where his main focus is on defending.