Shonan Bellmare are currently in their longest spell in the first division of this millennium as they get ready to embark on their fifth season in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE. It’s a stretch that includes a J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP title in 2018 and another successful relegation battle last season. Can they keep the run going?

Last season

Shonan knew they were in for a difficult 2021 after finishing last place in the previous campaign and staying up only because there was no relegation. The fight for J1 survival that they anticipated came to be and went down to the final day, but they stayed up in large part because of a much-improved attack, which placed 15th in 2021 after being last the season prior.

Key arrivals

Ryota Nagaki has joined from Kashima Antlers, giving Shonan a dependable defensive midfielder. They’ve also added Yusuke Segawa, who will help on the wing. The biggest addition might be Yamato Wakatsuki, though. The highly touted 20-year-old player has spent the last two seasons on loan with FC Sion in Switzerland, but is set to return to Bellmare and could be a massive boost.

Key departures

Shonan have been able to keep many of their key contributors from last season, but Shintaro Nago is set to return to Kashima Antlers after his season on loan in Hiratsuka. Nago was a big contributor for Bellmare, well beyond his three goals and assists, so replacing him will be a difficult task.

Goal for 2022

In 2019, Shonan were the last team to avoid relegation. In 2020, they finished last and stayed up because there was no relegation. In 2021, they were the last team to avoid relegation yet again. Clearly, relegation and the threat of it have hovered over their last three seasons to the point that staying up in any form will make 2022 a success, but Shonan are also in the midst of a long spell in the top flight. At some point they will want to move into the midtable and establish themselves as a reliable J1 side, not just a relegation battler. That should be the aim for a side that has a great deal of familiarity and cohesion, but whether there’s enough talent is another question.

What to watch for

Shonan’s defense proved last season to be exceptional and should remain so in 2022. The question for Shonan is goals. For several years now, they have struggled to find the back of the net and even with a big improvement in that area last season, they still ranked in the bottom quarter of the league.

Wellington returns as the team’s top scorer, but he only had six and losing Nago will make chance creation a bit more difficult. Bellmare are hoping the answer to that might be Segawa, who had key performances last season for Kashiwa Reysol against the likes of Tokushima Vortis and Yokohama FC. Solidity from Nagaki in midfield should also allow his teammates to venture forward more, but the key could also be Wakatsuki. If the young prospect makes good on his potential, Shonan have themselves a game-changing talent who can help the attack find another gear.

If their attack can improve, this team may just find themselves further up the table. If not, it may be a difficult year ahead.