Naohiro Sugiyama

Sugiyama's current-season form is level with last season (Season 3→5), while his Rating held around 29. That makes this his strongest season for form to date.

Domestic career

Season	Club	Apps	G	A	Match	RTG	Season
2027/28	JEF United Chiba · 19th	6	0	0	6.35	29	5
2026/27	JEF United Chiba	8	0	2	6.59	—	—
2025/26	JEF United Chiba · 3rd	8	1	0	—	29	3
2024/25	JEF United Chiba	13	0	0	—	—	—
2024/25	Montedio Yamagata	14	1	0	—	—	—
2023/24	Gamba Osaka · 16th	8	0	1	6.79	42	5

Domestic-league totals per season. RTG = Field Insider Rating (potential / ceiling); Season = age-blind form that year. 2 earlier seasons in the full career.

Scout report

Squad depthCentral midfielder

N. Sugiyama is a 28-year-old central midfielder at JEF United Chiba, rated 29.2 overall by Field Insider's model. An experienced operator, he has been a fringe squad member this season (19.9% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.9 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Sugiyama.

On the season, Sugiyama graded 5 for current form (age-blind), on 0 goals, 0 assists and 2.903 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 3 → 5). Across the 4 seasons we hold, it's his best return yet.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 29. At 28 Sugiyama is in his prime years, and a market index of 4.8 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report

Read the full career report →

Below his 2023/24 peak but holding a solid level — the platform for a return is there.

Peak: 2023/24Holding level

29.2

Ratingi

below regular-starter level

4.7

Seasoni

below regular-starter level

19.9%

Minutes

limited game time

2.9

Def. actions / 90

moderate defensive volume

Output in context · JEF United Chiba finished 19th of 20 · a relegation-threatened side

Apps

2.9

Def. / 90

Tackles

Interceptions

Clean sheets

2.9 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 1 clean sheet across 6 appearances. Doing that for a relegation-threatened side (19th of 20) is harder than the bare numbers suggest: a back line under more pressure has to defend more often and protects fewer leads, so the volume — and any clean sheets — carry real weight.

Watch points

Game time. Only 19.9% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

Rated 29.2 overall — below regular-starter level. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.9 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1.2× now → 0.9× projected in three years).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Per 90 & availability

Minutes played %19.9%

Available fixtures10 of 10

Goals / 900

Assists / 900

Goal contribution / 900

Defensive actions / 902.903

Player flow

Goal involvements0

Shot conversion %0

Shot accuracy %50

Pass accuracy %69

Dribble success %46.2

Cards / 900.264

Foul involvement / 902.903

Season-by-season progression

Rating (potential)Season (form)

Value & potential by age

Market valueRating

Solid = now · dashed = projected

The gold line is market value — an index (not €) blending rating, age and league. It climbs through the early 20s, peaks around ages 23–27 (~8), then tapers with age. At 28, Sugiyama sits on 4.8, past its peak and easing. The blue line is Sugiyama's projected Rating — 29.2 today — recomputed at each age, so it follows the same rise-and-fall as a career matures and declines. Solid = up to today; dashed = projected.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among central midfielders in the J1 League with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals0

Shots on target2

Shots4

Passing

Assists0

Chances created3

Passes81

Pass accuracy69%

Possession

Successful dribbles6

Dribble success46.2%

Duels won18

Duels won %39.1%

Fouls won3

Defending

Tackles7

Interceptions3

Blocks1

Fouls committed8

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards1

Red cards0

Transfer history

Gamba Osaka(back from loan)Jan 2025 – now

JEF United ChibaFeb 2025 – Jan 2025

Montedio Yamagata(on loan)Jan 2024 – Feb 2025

Gamba OsakaJan 2023 – Jan 2024

Roasso Kumamotountil Jan 2023

About N. Sugiyama

Naohiro Sugiyama is a 28-year-old central midfielder who plays for JEF United Chiba, born on September 7, 1998 in Kitakyushu, standing 175 cm tall. He is from Japan. JEF United Chiba currently sit 19th of 20 in the J1 League.

This season

In the current season, N. Sugiyama has made 6 appearances with 0 goals and 0 assists across 341 minutes, with 1 yellow card.

N. Sugiyama's next match is on November 1, 2026, when JEF United Chiba face Avispa Fukuoka at home in the J1 League.

Field Insider's view

Field Insider currently rates N. Sugiyama at 29.2 with a Season form score of 4.7. See the full scout report for strengths, watch-points and the market-value outlook.

His honours include 1 career title — among them the J3 League. Full list in the career record.

Career

Across 7 recorded seasons, N. Sugiyama has totalled 86 club appearances with 7 goals and 3 assists for 4 different clubs. His busiest campaign came in 2021/22, with 28 appearances for Roasso Kumamoto.

N. Sugiyama's career has also included time at Gamba Osaka, Montedio Yamagata and Roasso Kumamoto.

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.

Profile

Season stats

Performance data · by competition

Career

Scout report

Output in context · JEF United Chiba finished 19th of 20 · a relegation-threatened side

Watch points