Shock! The greatest talent in Korean soccer will collapse. Lee Kang-in is on the verge of breaking down, PSG coach Enrique Kang In and Sumi will use it

Apr 22, 2025

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At this rate, the 'future of Korean soccer' could collapse.

Golden Boy Lee Kang-in (24, Paris Saint-Germain), who is considered the 'best talent in Korean soccer history', is in a precarious situation. The team's position and playing time are not enough to be significantly reduced to the extent that 'third option' within the team, and it is now being forced to change the position. PSG coach Luis Enrique publicly expressed his intention.

Coach Enrique's plan is to let Lee Kang-in, who has a lot of offensive instincts, play as a defensive midfielder. It is never a good thing for Lee Kang-in, who is expected to become the next ace of Korean soccer.

At a time when he needs to sharpen his offense, playing defensive midfielder is likely not to help him develop his skills. I think we should think twice about getting out of PSG.

France's leading media outlet L'Equipe reported on the 22nd (Korea Standard Time) 'Enrique announced his intention to use Lee Kang-in as a defensive midfielder during the pre-press conference against Nantes'

It's a shocking content. Lee Kang-in is a player who is born with an offensive instinct. He can play everything from attacking midfielders to side strikers, and he has played in that position so far. Depending on the situation, he also played a zero-top role. Lee Kang-in, who has a de-pressuring skill with dribbling ability, a wide field of view and a sense of soccer, quickly adapted to any position. For this reason, Enrique also widely used Lee Kang-in in various positions until December.

However, defensive midfielders have a slightly different personality. Until now, the method of using Lee Kang-in has been to develop his skills and offensive instincts, but this instinct will inevitably be suppressed if he plays as a defensive midfielder. Of course, even defensive midfielders are not without participation in the attack. However, basically, it has no choice but to focus on the rear defense.

Coach Enrique is not unaware of these concerns. "I know a defensive midfielder is not an ideal position for Lee Kang-in," he said at a press conference. However, not all players can play in comfortable positions. Even in such a situation, running can bring a lot of things in terms of mental strength."

It's more like an excuse. It's just a request for Lee Kang-in to sacrifice for the team because it can help his mental strength. Enrique said, `You may not like it, but in the end it can help the player. If you play in a new position and have more experience, you can grow a player," he added. This is also nothing more than principled and idealistic. It is only interpreted as an intention to justify Lee Kang-in's sacrifice.

If a player is considered important in the team or is a candidate for an ace, he or she does not force a change of position depending on the team's circumstances. If there is a lack of main positions in the team, they may rather choose to send a lease to grow it. Turning a player in his early 20s, who has a natural talent for offense and has grown so far, into defense means that he actually thinks of it as a "player who writes and throws away".

Coach Enrique has already put this plan into action. He started as a defensive midfielder in the home game against Le Havre in the 30th round of the 2024-2025 League 1 held on the 20th and allowed him to play 73 minutes. Le Havre are a team in the relegation zone. For PSG, which is trying to win the league 1 undefeated title, it is not too much of a burden, but it is a waste to use the main player.

Lee Kang-in has now played in this kind of match. He also came out as a defensive midfielder, not his original position. It was praised for contributing to the team's 2-1 victory with diligent movements. In the long run, however, this kind of game is not very helpful to Lee Kang-in's career.

As Lee Kang-in, he should secure his position through active appeal. However, it is already difficult to speak out due to the position of the team. Then there is one way or the other.

One is to follow coach Enrique and continue to play defensive midfielder to seek a change of position. There is a disadvantage that his sense as a striker can be reduced, and even if he does this, there is no guarantee that he can turn coach Enrique's mind. The advantage is that he may consistently appear in the game.

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The other is to push for an active escape. There are not a few clubs interested in Lee Kang-in in the transfer market. It is reported that EPL Manchester United and Crystal Palace are also interested in this summer's transfer market. Improving his skills as a striker again in a new environment may be a more desirable direction for Lee Kang-in's future.

However, it is difficult to make a transfer if PSG holds back.

How will Lee Kang-in's future unfold. At the moment, it doesn't look so cheerful.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.