Japan's biggest hit because of Kim Min-jae, a miracle in 33 years. Japan's national university, which is likely to be demoted to the second division, is rumored to be transferred to Naples

Mar 26, 2025

Photo=Southampton

Japan is also benefiting from Kim Min-jae's change of football perception in Naples.

Spanish reporter Matteo Moreto said on the 25th (Korea time) "Napoli is watching Yukinari Sugawara of Southampton."," he said. Another European transfer market expert, Fabrizio Romano, also added Sugawara as a finalist in the right full-back position. It's one of the names to watch over the summer,' he reported.

Napoli's pursuit of an Asian player has no choice but to explain that Kim Min-jae's influence is great. This is because Kim Min-jae is a player who made a miracle after moving to Naples in the 2022-2023 season. Napoli, who had never stood at the top of Italy since Diego Maradona's time, won the trophy as they had their best season with Kim Min-jae at the forefront. Kim Min-jae rose to the world class ranks by winning the league's best defender.

Napoli, which enjoyed a lot of marketing effects outside the stadium due to the effect of Kim Min-jae, is actively targeting Asian players afterwards. Several Asian players, including Lee Kang-in, Kubo Takefusa and Hwang In-beom, were mentioned. Until Kim Min-jae's presence, Napoli was not originally a team that preferred Asian players that much, but Kim Min-jae changed his perception in one season.

There was no better business for the club as it left after a year due to a high transfer fee after bringing it with a low transfer fee and showing a historic performance.

Japanese soccer fans will be really happy if Napoli moves to recruit Sugawara. Sugawara, the current Japanese national team, left AZ Alkmaar for the Southampton uniform ahead of this season. It was the birth of a new Premier Leaguer.

Sugawara adapted quite well to Southampton, but the team was the problem. It is falling endlessly with the spirit of creating a disgraceful record of being the worst team in league history. As of the end of the 29th round of the league, Southampton only have nine points. There remains an arithmetic possibility of escaping relegation, but no one thinks Southampton will miraculously bounce back.

Sugawara also said during the A-match call-up period "I don't know if it's the right comment, but it's probably not an experience I get because I want it. No one wants this situation, but we can only experience the situation that lies now. Of course, it is a difficult situation. It's the first time I'm going through it, including how to maintain my mental strength and motivation in a difficult situation," he said, leaving an interview as if he was already thinking about relegation next season.

In other words, a player who can fall to the second division in one season will be transferred to the Italian Serie A championship team at once. Whether Japan can also enjoy the special effects of Kim Min-jae will be confirmed only when the transfer market opens.

Reporter Kim Dae-sik rlaeotlr2024@sportschosun.com

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.