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| Source=Lee Kang-in SNS Capture |
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| APYonhap News |
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Again this winter, the silence of Lee Kang-in (24, Paris Saint-Germain) is prolonged.
Lee Kang-in started in the 25th round of the 2024-2025 French Ligue 1 against Stade Ren at Loazon Park in Rennes, France, on the 9th (Korea time) and spent 64 minutes on the ground until he was replaced by Vitinha in the 19th minute of the second half.
Lee Kang-in, who had a chance to start in five games, including the cup, after the league game against Toulouse on February 16, performed 'compliant' compared to the first half of his peak performance. He didn't show his unique flashy movement and creative play often. In particular, they are rarely involved in scoring-related work.
Lee Kang-in, who played as a right striker, stepped back to the bench after recording 56 ball touches, 93% pass success rate, one key pass, two dribbling successes, two ground match successes and one effective shot in 64 minutes. The statistical company's Sofascore rating is 7.2 points.
The team won 4-1 on the day with two goals from Usman Dembele and one from Bradley Barcola and Gonzalo Hamus.
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| APYonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Lee Kang-in was silent again in the atmosphere of scoring a large amount. After scoring his fifth and sixth goals of the season in the match against Anje (4-2 wins) in November last year, he has not scored in four months and 14 games in the league. It's the same pattern as the last two seasons. Lee Kang-in, who joined PSG in the summer of 2023, remained silent for more than four months in the league until he scored against Montpellier (3-0 wins) in November of the same year and again against Montpellier (6-2 wins) in March of the following year. In the meantime, he scored in the cup competition against Toulouse (2-0 win) in January. Lee Kang-in, who scored a goal in October 2022 against Valencia (2-1 win) while playing for Mallorca, broke his goal silence for 12 consecutive league games only against Real Sociedad (1-1 draw) in March 2023. Do your toes become dull in the cold winter? Another point is that the scoring was restarted without fail in March when spring began.
Lee Kang-in has been scoreless in 24 consecutive games, including the Cup tournament, as of this season. Due to this situation, it is classified as an attacker who has difficulty scoring in the local area. On the 8th, before PSG went on the road to Ren, the transfer fee website 'Transfermarkt' examined the scoreless record in a row based on a striker with a market value of at least 20 million euros (about 31 billion won). Not only authentic strikers, but also wingers and offensive midfielders were all classified as 'striker'. Lee Kang-in, who is evaluated as having a market value of 30 million euros (about 47 billion won), ranked third in this category with 23 games.
It is followed by Yesfer Linström (Everton), who has been silent for 75 games, and Giovanni Da (Sporting), who has not scored in 28 games. Alejandro Garnacho (22 games for Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (19 games for Arsenal), Rasmus Hoylun (19 games for Manchester United), Pepe (18 games for Porto), Mason Mount (18 games for Manchester United), Alberto Moreiro (16 games for Las Palmas) and Thiago Almada (16 games for Olympique Lyon) follow Lee Kang-in. Three Manchester United players were included in the top 10.
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| APYonhap News |
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Lee Kang-in's long silence also seems to be related to his changed position. Since Lee Kang-in joined the team in the winter transfer market in January, the number of replacements has increased beyond the starting number. In the last eight games, including the Cup, he has played in five games as a substitute, and no game has played for more than 65 minutes.
In particular, he played as a substitute in all two European Champions League knockout playoff games against Brest, and was included in the replacement list in the first round of the Champions League round of 16 against Liverpool on the 6th, but he did not have a chance to play. The team also lost 0-1, clouding its advance to the quarterfinals.
PSG coach Luis Enrique is using three-top Hvitsa, Dembele and Barcola with good mobility in important games. Even in the midfield, Fabian Lewis, who has recently been in good condition, seems to be prioritized over Lee Kang-in and Warren Zaire-Emery.
PSG has virtually confirmed its victory with six consecutive wins and no losses in the league. 16 points behind second-place Marseille. There is no reason to make a big change in the squad as it has been on the rise to the extent that it has lost only one game to Liverpool in 24 recent games, including the Cup. This is why Lee Kang-in gives the impression of being alienated compared to the first half.
Lee Kang-in is also likely to be included in the replacement list rather than the starting list in the second round of the Champions League round of 16 against Liverpool at Anfield on the 12th. Coach Enrique arranged his physical strength by replacing Dembele, Nunu Mendes, Vitinha, Hvitsa and Achiraf Hakimi in the middle of the second half, as if he had the match against Liverpool in mind. Main goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, midfielder Lewis and center back Marquignos rested.
Domestic soccer fans insist that Lee Kang-in should transfer to another team as soon as possible. Since joining PSG, Lee Kang-in has steadily connected with EPL clubs such as Arsenal and Newcastle. Recently, there have been reports that Saudi Arabia is interested in recruiting. The contract period is until June 2028.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
