‘Werder Bremen Can Still Imagine Keeping Him’ — What Should Southampton Do With Yukinari Sugawara? | OneFootball

Yukinari Sugawara sealed a loan move to Werder Bremen in August 2025, yet little has been revealed regarding his future.

The 24-year-old has endured a largely successful campaign at the German side. Gametime wasn’t likely at Southampton, even in the Championship – a key factor for his loan departure – but he accumulated over 2,400 minutes this season, making 31 appearances in the Bundesliga.

He primarily featured as a wing-back, transitioning to a fullback towards the end of the campaign, fulfilling both attacking and defensive duties down the right flank.

Yukinari Sugawara’s percentile stats – DataMB

Speaking to Deichstube journalist Bjarne Voigt, he reflected upon Sugawara’s season:

Werder Bremen were winless from December up until February — a series of four wins (including critical victories over fellow relegation contenders Wolfsburg and FC Heidenheim) in seven games proved vital across March as they secured survival.

After a brief stint on the bench, Sugawara fought for his starting position back, ending the season with five starts in a row. A red card cut his season slightly short, missing the final day against Borussia Dortmund.

His offensive abilities have always been a critical component of his skillset, especially during his time at AZ Alkmaar. This year, he amassed six assists, ranking in the 78th percentile per 90 among fullbacks.

When asked whether Sugawara suited Werder Bremen’s style, Voigt added:

Issues arose at Southampton regarding his defensive abilities. In the Premier League, he was susceptible to errors. Werder Bremen boasted one of the league’s weakest defences this year, conceding 60 goals. The Japanese international averaged just one tackle per 90, alongside sitting in the 25th percentile for overall defensive contributions.

On his role within the side, Werder Bremen journalist Malte Bürger explained to me:

Just 26% of his crosses were successful per 90.

Voigt felt the tactical tweak benefitted the Japanese international.

Bürger also reflected positively on Sugawara’s season overall.

Why a Return to Southampton May No Longer Make Sense

While there are tactical reasons to believe Sugawara could fare better under Tonda Eckert than he did during Southampton’s Premier League campaign, a return to St Mary’s is far from straightforward.

Werder Bremen journalist Bjarne Voigt noted that Sugawara appeared more comfortable in a back four than a back five, benefiting from having additional defensive support alongside not being solely responsible for the entire right flank. That observation aligns with Eckert’s preferred four-at-the-back system, suggesting the Japanese international could be a better fit than he was previously.

However, Southampton’s squad situation complicates matters. The club’s priority this summer is understood to be securing the future of James Bree, whose contract expires at the end of June. Since returning from his loan spell, Bree has established himself as the first-choice right-back and has been instrumental in Southampton’s defensive improvement. Remarkably, Saints did not lose a single league game in which Bree featured, forming part of the club’s 22-match unbeaten run following his return.

Should Bree sign a new deal, Sugawara would likely find himself competing for minutes rather than returning as an automatic starter. While he possesses qualities that could challenge for the position, a rotational role in the Championship may not represent the most attractive option at this stage of his career.

At 25, Sugawara is entering a crucial period. His season at Werder Bremen has restored both confidence and consistency, while regular Bundesliga football helped him maintain his place in Japan’s World Cup plans. Returning to a situation where playing time is uncertain seems a backwards step.

Sugawara revealed to German outlet Deichstube back in March:

What Should Saints Do?

Ultimately, Sugawara’s loan spell at Werder Bremen should be viewed as a success.

After struggling to establish himself in the Premier League, the Japanese international needed regular football to rebuild confidence and rediscover the form that made Southampton invest in him. He achieved exactly that in Germany. Despite some inconsistencies during Werder Bremen’s difficult run of results, he remained a trusted option throughout the campaign, accumulated more minutes than he did at Southampton and played a role in helping the club secure survival.

Perhaps the clearest indication of his improved form is his international recognition. Regular game time at a competitive Bundesliga club helped Sugawara earn a place in Japan’s World Cup squad, something that would have been far more difficult had he remained on the fringes at Southampton.

For Werder Bremen, there is a clear case to keep him. Both Werder Bremen specialists Bjarne Voigt and Malte Burger highlighted his relative success. The main obstacle appears to be financial constraints, with Bremen reportedly reluctant to trigger the reported €6 million option and instead likely to seek a lower fee.

That leaves Southampton with a decision to make. With two years remaining on Sugawara’s contract, there is no urgency to accept a cut-price offer.

If Bremen can negotiate a fee acceptable to Southampton, likely around the €5m mark, a deal could be sorted. Having re-established himself in one of Europe’s top leagues and securing his place in Japan’s World Cup plans, a return to Championship football at Southampton appears increasingly unlikely, making this summer the ideal opportunity to find a permanent solution.