U20 World Cup

Yoichi Isagi and Sae Itoshi share several similarities in their playstyle, especially in their ability to read the game, adapt to teammates, and orchestrate plays with high-level vision. While their approaches differ in execution, their overall strategic mindset and ability to elevate those around them make them comparable.

1. Spatial Awareness & Vision

Both Isagi and Sae possess exceptional vision that allows them to dictate the flow of the game:

• Sae Itoshi: As the "best midfielder in Japan," Sae’s elite playmaking ability comes from his capacity to foresee plays several steps ahead. His ability to control the tempo and execute pinpoint passes allowed him to seamlessly link up with Shidou, despite their contrasting playstyles.
• Yoichi Isagi: Isagi’s entire evolution in Blue Lock revolves around his ability to "see" the game. His Meta Vision enhances his ability to process movements at an advanced level, similar to how Sae reads the field. Like Sae, Isagi’s vision isn’t just about finding space for himself but also maximizing the abilities of those around him, as seen when he adapted to Noa’s positioning in the match against PXG.

2. Playmaking & Adaptability

One of the biggest parallels between them is their adaptability:

• Sae working with Shidou: During the U20 match, Sae, who initially disliked Shidou, quickly adjusted his passing to match Shidou’s unpredictable yet lethal attacking instincts. He adapted to Shidou’s wild movements and created goal-scoring opportunities without hesitation.
• Isagi working with Barou & Nagi: Isagi has demonstrated a similar ability to synchronize with different teammates. Against the U20 team and in Neo Egoist League matches, Isagi adapted his plays to utilize Barou’s positioning and Nagi’s creative plays. His most notable adaptation was when he countered Barou’s unpredictable "Villain Mode" in the Bastard München vs Ubers match, showing that he, like Sae, can modify his style to maximize his team’s offense.

3. Ego & Control of the Game

Both players have dominant egos but in different ways:

• Sae’s ego: His confidence stems from his belief that Japanese soccer lacks world-class talent, making him the only true "genius." However, once he recognized Blue Lock's potential (especially Isagi), he began treating the match more seriously.
• Isagi’s ego: Isagi has grown into a player who wants complete control of the field. His desire to become the "main protagonist" mirrors Sae’s control over the U20 team. In his battle with Kaiser in the Neo Egoist League, Isagi started to develop the same commanding presence Sae had when running the midfield.

4. Isagi Could Work with Shidou Like Sae Did

Your observation that Isagi could adapt to Shidou’s style is supported by his ability to link up with dynamic goal scorers. In previous matches, Isagi:

• Played off of Barou’s unpredictable shots (similar to Shidou’s unpredictability).
• Matched Rin Itoshi’s structured yet aggressive plays.
• Took advantage of Nagi’s technical ability, much like how Sae utilized Shidou’s finishing.

If Isagi were to play with Shidou, his Meta Vision would allow him to track Shidou’s movements and optimize his positioning to create deadly plays—similar to how Sae found the perfect passes for Shidou’s explosive finishing.

Conclusion

While Sae Itoshi is a more refined and polished player, Isagi is evolving into a similarly dominant force. Both players excel at vision, adaptability, and controlling the game's flow. If Isagi continues to refine his playmaking and ego-driven control over matches, he could reach or even surpass Sae’s level.