Two players I feel has potential are Vissel Kobe's Yuki Kobayashi and Sanfreece's Shunki Higashi. Their chances are not that much as of currently but I think they might be dark horses behind all the names mentioned above. Particularly Higashi, he might be able to add something to the team with his pace.
Higashi is really good, I don’t know why Kageyama favoured Toich Suzuki over him in the U-20 WC? Perhaps because Suzuki is better defensively? Anyhow, speaking about Higashi he is much attacking-oriented can play as a full-back, wingback, or even as a winger or side-forward in a 3-4-3 formation.
Gigabumping this thread with my desired (not predicted) 18: GKs: Tani and no clue 'cause I can't even remember who is eligible Obi? Oki? Osako ? DFs: Tomiyasu, Itakura, Seko, Koga, Sugawara, Yoshida MFs: Ao Tanaka, Saito*, Endo\Morita Wingers: Doan, Hatate, Kubo, Mitoma, Miyoshi\Meshino FWs: Hayashi, Yuma** *yes, I have not included Nakayama, and yes... I know he will be there. ** Couldn't really find a slot for Ueda\Maeda tbh (whoever is more in form in july) I think Saito has a serious injury, it's unlikely he will make in time and hasn't trained with the team recently obviously... I am not sure if Hara plays on the right, he's been good, could be another option other than Koga if he does.
My updated desired list: 2021 Olympic team: GKs: Yuya Oki Kojiro Nakano/ Osako Defenders: Takehiro Tomiyasu Yukinari Sugawara Daiki Hashioka Ayumu Seko Ko Itakura Shinya Nakano Nagatomo Midfielders: Wataru Endo Takefusa Kubo Ao Tanaka Kanya Fujimoto Fowards: Ayase Ueda (Daichi Hayashi is the first option if Ueda is injured) Ritsu Doan Mitoma Yuki Soma Yuya Osako
Mitsuki Saito will not recover in time to make the Olympic squad. Yuta Nakayama is clumsy and prone to mistakes, he gave away the ball easily against Argentina in the first match, but still his versatility makes for his shortcomings. Teruki Hara can play in all places across defensive area, he is mainly a RB, but can play on both flanks, as CB, and as defensive midfielder if needed.
Haha the main 3 GKs will most probably be Oki/Tani/Osako unless Moriyasu decides to use 1 of the slot for Kawashima for his experience. Think that perhaps an older player like Yoshida or even Nagatomo may be needed for their leadership experience.