Werder Bremen saw its season-ending free fall end with a fall right out of the German Bundesliga.
Josh Sargent’s team suffered a 4-2 loss on Saturday in a 4-2 loss to Borussia Moenchengladbach, which sealed Werder Bremen’s fate when FC Köln defeated Schalke to jump ahead of Werder Bremen into the promotion playoff spot in 16th place in the Bundesliga.
Those results have doomed Werder Bremen to life in the 2. Bundesliga next season, and leaves Sargent’s club future in question. Relegation will make Bremen’s financial struggles even greater, and will require the club to sell players that can generate good transfer revenue.
Sargent’s status as one of the most coveted transfer targets on Bremen’s roster makes him very likely to make a transfer move this summer. Sargent finished the season with seven goals and two assists in all competitions.
If Sargent makes a move, as expected, it will signal the end of a three-year stint Sargent spent at the club, which gave him his first professional contract. Werder Bremen narrowly avoided relegation last season, but an 0-9-1 record in its final 10 Bundesliga matches doomed the team to automatic relegation.
FC Köln will now place in the Bundesliga promotion playoff against whichever team finishes in third place in the 2.Bundesliga. One of the teams that could play in the promotion playoff is Greuther Fürth, which features American midfielder Julian Green.
Sargent will now join the USMNT for its training camp ahead of the May 30 friendly against Switzerland, as the team prepares for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Honduras, on June 3 in Denver.
The one club I followed all season that fits Sargent’s game to a T is Leeds United. Bielsa used Patrick Bamford almost exactly the same way Kohfeldt used Sargent. Yet Leeds didn’t have a backup striker whose style matched Bamford’s exactly.
Sargent would flourish under Bielsa, even if he had to back up Bamford at first. Leeds was the fittest team in the Premier League, and played at the highest pace, both on offense and on defense. Playing in Leeds’ system would refine Sargent’s game and make him all the more valuable to the US.
Another US player who I wish Leeds would pursue is Antonee Robinson, who has already shown he belongs in the Premier League. If Alioski goes to Galatasaray as rumored, Leeds will have a gaping hole at LB. Robinson’s stamina and pace make him a great fit, and like Sargent, his style matches Leeds’ system exactly.
Strange to say, but his experience this year at financially-strapped Bremen expanded his game and makes him more marketable. With a serious lack of midfield service this season, he had to adjust to disrupt play, create chances for teammates and become a distributor. No question this summer Bundesliiga teams will inquire about a transfer.
He was always the first line of defense in that team. Absolutely no skillful service into the box. I’ll bet he’s in top condition though with all that running!
Don’t like to cheer someone else’s misfortune, so I’ll call this looking on the bright side. Relegation likely does spell an end to Sargent’s career at Werder Bremen which to those who want to see his potential fully realized- provides some hope.
I hear you. I’d like to see what he looks like playing with a midfield instead of dropping back into it.
All of this! Honestly, I hope that he finds a Club in Holland. He would be great as the point man in a 4-3-3 a la Johansen and Altidore’s goals scoring forays.
@The TX 3 Stepper, Why shift to Holland? He has become a far more complete striker in B.1 and given a competent midfield, he could do quite well playing there. Competent midfield is key though. Fortunate all of the interest from other B.1 clubs have been mid-tier competent teams.