Will they be the next to go? * Chapter 169 SPOILERS*

J3_Omega said:

If Yukimiya does make it, I feel like we're going to see some major development from him in the remaining four games. Yukimiya had been shown repeatedly in the last few chapters to be coming to grips with Isagi being chosen over him even though he's objectively a better player physically. He'll likely either overcome this by reaching his flow state and make the cut as a striker, give in on becoming the top striker and make it as a different position like you said, or not be able to make an impression at all and be overshadowed by Isagi and Kunigami as a striker. Hiyori and Gagamaru would have a much easier time making an impact on the team as a SB and GK, rather than fighting Kaiser, Isagi and Kunigami for the striker spot. Hiyori might actually end up being crucial in creating potential goals for Isagi and Kunigami over Kaiser and Ness through his passing abilities, and Gagamaru has already proved himself to be a monster goalie with nobody else really going for that position, so I can see why you'd think they'd have a solid chance at making the cut.

The problem with Raichi and Igarashi is that we've seen almost nothing from them this entire time. I feel like Raichi has always been there as comedic relief and will probably end up being cut unless he ends up doing something amazing. I like your idea of Igarashi no longer being a joke and actually making the cut despite probably being arguably the weakest player left at Blue Lock. I just want to see him make an impression of his own rather than being carried by everyone else in order to reach his goal, but if not, I think both of them are destined to not make the cut, but even if he does lose now, I feel you're right in that he would have enough recognition through Blue Lock in order to be picked up by a club and not have to become a monk, so at least he'd have that lol

I do kinda disagree with you about Kunigami not making it. I get that he's a really edgy egomonster at this point, but I think we're going to get a lot of development from him in the next few games. It would he silly to bring him back only to not make the cut at the end of the arc, and I think him working with Isagi will boost his salary and also mix his old hero persona into a sort of super egoist that'll be able to stand toe-to-toe with world class players like he was built to as a wildcard would be an absolutely amazing character arc for him. He may not end up being the main striker, but he could definitely end up as a substitute to be able to mix up the flow of the team like Barou or Reo.

Finally, I'm really not sure about Sae joining Blue Lock. I do get that he's a very talented player that would meet the criteria to join the Blue Lock program, but I don't think he would join Blue Lock even if he was invited. I feel like Sae is doing more as an adversary to Blue Lock rather than a member. Through his actions in joining the Japan U-20 team, he pushed several players into their flow state and gave Rin an incentive to further improve by acknowledging Isagi rather than Rin, turning Rin's purpose from surpassing his brother to surpassing Isagi. I'm sure he'll show up later and maybe play against or train Blue Lock in the future, but it seems like he served his purpose during the Blue Lock vs Japan game. Plus, there really wouldn't be a point to him joining, as his presence would only stagnate Rin's improvement and he doesn't really need to strive for anything since he's already considered world class and probably the current overall best player in Japan. Would it be cool if he did join and we got a dynamic between him, Rin, Shidou, and Isagi? Hell yeah it would, but I don't find it likely and don't see much significance to furthering any story or character development.