Brighton Winger Mitoma Clarifies University Thesis and Style of Play

• Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma is one of the best dribblers in the Premier League
• The Japanese star wrote his university thesis on dribbling leading to speculation that it helps him
• He has now clarified the relationship between his thesis and his style of play

Kaoru Mitoma has clarified the relationship between his university thesis and his style of play, which leaves defenders for dead.

The Japanese has been a revelation under Italian boss Roberto De Zerbi due to his pace and trickery, which helps him give opposing defenders problems.

He is one of the best dribblers in the Premier League. He has come out on top against some defenders, including Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah, Arsenal's Ben White and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold.

According to Athletic UK, the 25-year-old rejected a professional contract at 19 to study Physical Education at the University of Tsukuba and wrote his final thesis on dribbling.

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Football

Mitoma clarifies university thesis

The Japan international has demystified his thesis claiming it has nothing to do with his style of play. It is exaggerated, and he only chose it because it was easier.

''I can say the thesis has almost nothing to do with my current playing style,'' he told ESPN UK. ''I chose the theme because it would be easy for me to write about. I simply needed to finish my degree. I think it's been focused on more in Japan and exaggerated so far.''

He explained how he gets the better of opponents and how his quick decision-making and judgment boosts his success rate.

''I look at the opponent's centre of gravity, posture, body movement, and then I think about my options, but even in a one-on-one situation, if I see the pass is a better option, then I will pass the ball to a teammate,'' he said.

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Mitoma falls short against Wan-Bissaka

The pacy winger was not up to par when Brighton faced Manchester United yesterday in the semi-final of the FA Cup at Wembley.

Mitoma struggled to get the better of United's right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka which moved English midfielder James Maddison to praise Bissaka as the best in the world, as Sports Brief earlier reported.

The Japanese attempted three dribbles against the England defender of international descent, rated as the best one-on-one defender in football, and had zero success rate.