 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
 |
| EPAYonhap News |
|
Is it a cruel betrayal or a great winning move.
Attention is focusing on the new 'How to use Lee Kang-in' released by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique. Lee Kang-in (24), who has played as a winger or offensive midfielder, has begun to be released as a defensive midfielder. He started Lee Kang-in as a defensive midfielder against Le Havre on the 20th (Korea time), allowing him to play 73 minutes, and expressed his intention to use it in the same position against Nantes on the 23rd.
On how to use Lee Kang-in in the match against Le Havre, Enrique said, `We can see Lee Kang-in again on the spot"Lee Kang-in does a great job when he owns a ball, whether it's a short time or a long time. I know defensive midfielders are not an ideal position for Lee Kang-in. But when you play on the spot, you have to make up defensively." We also need to get the players out of their comfort zone. I want to see the mental side of the players when that happens. Even if it's a position that he (Lee Kang-in) doesn't like, he will bring a lot of things."
This season, Enrique has consistently used Lee Kang-in as a starter-replacement. However, it is true that the team's position anxiety has not been erased throughout the season. In the end, there are even rumors that Lee Kang-in could leave the team after the end of this season. In the midst of this, coach Enrique's change in the use of offensive midfielders, Lee Kang-in's main position, leaves various room. It can be seen as an experimental operation in preparation for the new season, which is shown when the league's championship is confirmed early, but it can also be interpreted as suggesting that there is no more place for Lee Kang-in on the team's offense. Coach Enrique has no choice but to reflect on the meaning of using Lee Kang-in as a defensive midfielder in the match against Nantes following the match against Le Havre.
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
However, Enrique's change in the use of Lee Kang-in is not only a loss. In the long run, Lee Kang-in's utilization can be expanded that much. The value of players who can be used not only in attack but also in defense at the waist, where 'multi-play' is emphasized above all else, is bound to increase. It is certainly a good thing for Lee Kang-in, who has no choice but to focus on 'after PSG' in a relaxed situation where the team's victory was decided early.
For Hong Myung-bo, Lee Kang-in's transformation is also welcome. In addition to Baek Seung-ho (28, Birmingham City) and Hwang In-beom (29, Feyenoord), who are currently defensive midfielders in the national team, they will be equipped with another weapon called Lee Kang-in. In particular, as Lee Kang-in is considered to be ahead of the two players in terms of offensive skills, it is attractive that he can entrust the all-weather role in the midfield if he is equipped with defense. We have no choice but to look forward to it more because we have confirmed the possibility early on. When Baek Seung-ho was injured during the first half in Game 7 of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup against Oman on the 20th of last month, Lee Kang-in was replaced and replaced, and not only helped Hwang Hee-chan score the first goal, but also played well in both offense and defense. National team coach Hong Myung-bo also expressed a positive view of Lee Kang-in's performance, indicating that he could use it similarly in the future.
In the harsh professional world, competition is destiny, and transformation can be wisdom to survive. Hong Myung-bo and Korean soccer, who have no choice but to pay attention to Lee Kang-in's transformation.
 |
| APYonhap News |
|
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
