Rumors of a shock release against Lee Kang-in (PSG), who sat on the bench for four consecutive games, have emerged.
French media ‘Foot01’ said on the 6th (Korea Standard Time), “PSG decided to break up with Lee Kang-in this summer. The next few weeks will probably be Lee Kang-in’s last time at PSG,” he said, reporting on Lee Kang-in’s release.
The media then said, “Lee Kang-in, who was recruited from Mallorca, Spain for 22 million euros (about 34.5 billion won), has never been an undisputed starting resource in coach Luis Enrique’s eyes. He was not a clear starter and a luxurious Joker,” he said, pointing to Lee Kang-in’s situation at PSG.
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But it’s not like it’s reported. Coach Enrique used an active rotation throughout the PSG squad, and Lee Kang-in was certainly the center of the team in the first half. In League 1, Lee Kang-in has scored six goals and five assists this season, making him the third-most offensive point in the team in both goals and help.
In the first half of the year, he played well, ranking third overall in the League 1 player rating. Lee Kang-in played in all 24 league games and showed good performance as a key member of PSG until the first half.
But things have changed this year. Lee Kang-in has played in 15 games this season, with eight of them starting and seven as a substitute. There are only two games, including one league game and one FA Cup, that played full-time in 90 minutes.
Above all, its position has been decreasing recently. Lee Kang-in started only one of the last five games played by PSG. He started playing on the bench for four consecutive games, but his playing time is gradually decreasing. Lee Kang-eun, who played 30 minutes in the second round of the Champions League Round of 16 playoff against Brest on February 20, played only 15 minutes in the league’s 123R Lyon match and 16 minutes in the 24R LOSC reel.
Above all, he is completely turned away from the Champions League match. PSG previously lost 0-1 to Liverpool despite leading the game in the first round of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) round of 16 at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, on the 6th. Lee Kang-in started the game on the bench, but was eventually shunned by coach Enrique.
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“Foot 01” also said, “Lee Kang-in played as an outstanding Joker, but he disappeared over the past few weeks, and the number of participants decreased and the time was shortened,” adding, “The competition has intensified with the emergence of players such as João Neves, Seni Mayulu and Desiree Doue.” “There is no doubt about Lee Kang-in’s transfer in the next transfer market,” he said, adding that he was convinced of the transfer theory at all.
The media then said, “Some players who lack playing time may be asked to leave PSG,” adding, “Lee Kang-in is almost a player to leave.” However, it is not yet known whether Lee Kang-in will pack easily.”
The biggest problem is that PSG is showing the best performance with a new offensive combination without Lee Kang-in. Coach Enrique, who used numerous formations and players, is mainly using the offense centered on Usman Dembele, who is exploding in the second half of this year.
Dembele has been reborn as PSG’s offensive core, scoring 18 goals and one assist in 13 official matches this year. In addition, France’s national team Bradley Barcola has completely established himself as an offensive winger. Above all, Khvicha Kvaratshelia, who transferred from Naples in the winter transfer market, is the most problematic for Lee Kang-in.
Kvaratshelia seems to be almost establishing himself as a key player with a built-in left wing forward after a brief period of adaptation after moving to PSG. He is playing well right away in the game. Since the transfer of Kvaratzhelia, Lee Kang-in has not been able to establish himself as a replacement member and is only playing as one of the three central midfielders.
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As a replacement member, coach Enrique prefers Gonzalo Hamus, who is sure to be used as a target-type striker, and Due, a fast and aggressive winger.
Lee Kang-in’s position seems to be becoming increasingly ambiguous as central midfielders include Vitinya, Warren Zaire Emery, Neves, and players with harmonious offensive and defensive skills, or Fabian Lewis, a veteran with game coordination and kill pass.
Lee Kang-in may also have to make a decision. Earlier in the transfer market last winter, Lee Kang-in was also connected to a number of Premier League teams. There is little possibility that PSG and Enrique will exclude Dembeleena, who is from France and has been reborn as a new divinity for the national team, from the starting rotation in the future. In addition, Kvaratshelia’s existence is virtually like the last puzzle of PSG’s offense.
If there is no place for Lee Kang-in in the offensive three-top, the future position will be virtually limited to central midfielder resources. That is not a positive thing for Lee Kang-in, who is gradually turning into an aggressive role in his professional career. In addition, it will not be a positive thing for the player to stay on the bench at a time when he needs to grow further through the golden age of his career.
[Kim Wonik, MK Sports Reporter]
