Southampton fans may have had good reason to doubt Sport Republic's recruitment strategy in the past, but with Johannes Spors in the key role as group technical director, they seem to be getting things more right than wrong lately.
In Caspar Jander, Spors has pulled a rabbit out of the hat. What seemed like a crazy gamble at first has certainly paid off.
Spors finds a gem in Jander
Southampton’s technical director, Johannes Spors, deserves huge credit for spotting Caspar Jander. Saints signed him in the summer for about £10.4 million from 1. FC Nürnberg. That was a big fee at the time for a young German midfielder with promise.
Since arriving, Jander has played regularly in midfield and adapted quickly to the Championship. He has started most matches and clocked a lot of minutes. His passing and defensive work have helped the Saints control games and add balance to the midfield.
The remarkable thing is how his value has risen since the move. Clubs from the Bundesliga and beyond are showing interest, and valuations suggest he could cost around €20–25 million in the summer. That means his value could be double what the Saints paid in 2025 if a move happens.
It shows that the scouting and recruitment model can work when you find the right player at the right time and place.
What Jander brings to Saints
Jander is a busy defensive midfielder whose statistics are among the best in the Championship. He is rated 95.3% for passing accuracy and 97.7% for tackles attempted on fotmob.com. Coupled with an impressive 92.2% rating for duels won, he has proven his ability with and without the ball.
Further proof, if any is needed, of Jander's technical ability is his successful dribbling rating (85.3%) and his chances created rating (79.1%). The 22-year-old German has scored twice and failed to convert a couple of great chances along the way.
Young players often need time to adjust to English football, but Jander has shown he can handle the physical and tactical demands of the Championship. That adaptability reflects well on Spors’ judgement in bringing him in.
There was concern that Jander's form had dipped due to overuse by Tonda Eckert, but since Shea Charles has returned, that has been less of an issue.
If Saints do go up next season, having a player of Jander’s quality and age gives them options and future sell-on value. His contract runs until 2028, so the club is in control of his future and can decide what’s best for the team and the balance sheet.
Spors’ work in identifying and signing Jander could turn out to be a defining piece of recruitment for Southampton. It shows that when the club scouts well and spots the right talent, the rewards can be real and substantial. It is the kind of strategic success Saints supporters should celebrate.