He is a formidable 20-year-old. His strengths are neither his formidable physical abilities nor his extraordinary technique, but something intangible. Entering his fourth year as a professional, Jumpei Hayakawa realistically analyzes the team's current situation and has deep insights. In the second match of this season against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, he came on as a substitute in the 60th minute with his team trailing by one goal. Although he couldn't change the flow of the game, he learned something on the pitch.

"Conceding goals is part of football, but the timing is the problem. At the start of the match and towards the end of both halves, the entire team needs to be on the same page. I don't think the 'hybrid' style (of tactics and passion) that Cho (Ki-jae) advocates will be perfected in a short amount of time. Of course, we still need to win, so we have to find a way to compromise."

My focus is on making the entire team function effectively. I'm thinking about my own role within that. My job is to assess the situation and sometimes deliberately delay my actions by a beat. It's about calm game control. I aspire to play aggressive, forward-attacking football, but that's not all there is to it. The same goes for defense. Defending from the front line requires good judgment.

"It all depends on how far the first defender can go. How they close down the ball holder changes the positions of the surrounding players. If the press starts when players are tired and their alertness has worn off, it can create a big mismatch. If the players behind move assuming that the players in front can go, they could be easily beaten. Of course, there are situations where you can't press. Both the player who goes to press first and the players around them need to maintain their concentration, prepare, and make decisions based on the situation."

Pressing first and foremost is a double-edged sword. If it's not coordinated, it quickly leads to trouble. Hayakawa approaches practice after mentally analyzing the phenomena that cause errors, and if any questions arise, he doesn't hesitate to give his opinion to manager Cho Kwi-jae. He also proposes positive improvements to the training menu. This doesn't cause any friction in their relationship.

"It takes time for tactics to take hold. A training camp and a short period of time aren't enough. Once the season starts, there will be Trial after another. We need to figure out how to build the team in this short cycle. I want to proceed while maintaining close communication."

His ability to see the big picture is remarkable for a 20-year-old. It's hard to believe that just three years ago he was a high school student in a uniform. The days of him running around frantically when he made his official match debut at 17 years and 4 months are long gone. He quickly adapted to the team. In 2023, the same year, he became the youngest ever recipient of the YBC Levain Cup New Hero Award at 17 years and 11 months. He creates scoring opportunities with his precise left-footed kicks while also aiming for goals himself, but that's not all. He possesses excellent tactical awareness and a keen ability to understand what the manager wants. Even when coming on as a substitute, he balances offense and defense in midfield, acting as a lubricant that keeps the team functioning. His objective self-analysis is also remarkably insightful.

"I believe my strength lies in helping those around me thrive, and in doing so, in my own way. Having no particular distinguishing features is also a distinguishing feature."

With limited opportunities to start in the league, the second round of the Emperor's Cup, to be held at Urawa Komaba Stadium on August 26th, could be a great chance for him. He has steadily accumulated experience, and his playing vision has broadened. Last year, he played as a defensive midfielder, and his ability to mix short and long passes has also improved.

If he spends a long time on the pitch, he'll surely show us different sides of his play. Even if the opponent is a university team, he won't let his guard down. Rather, he'll want to use this match as an opportunity to change the pecking order within the team, even just a little.

"If I get more playing time, I might be able to influence the other players around me. I think that's up to me."

His goal is to be the organizer of the pitch. Coach Cho Kwi Jae has a track record of promoting and developing young players into leaders in the teams he has managed in the past. He may well rise to prominence in the Reds, who are currently undergoing a period of transformation.

(Interview and text by Masayuki Sugizono)