 |
| Photo=Brentford SNS Capture |
|
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
'Korea's representative defensive prospect'Kim Ji-soo may have an opportunity to seek the starting position in the English Premier League (EPL) in earnest next season.
The British Tribune reported on the 18th (Korea time) that Arsenal is eyeing Nathan Collins as a candidate for the summer transfer market defender.
Tribuna 'Arnall is impressed with Collins, and is watching him closely. Coach Mikel Arteta and director Andre Berta put the top priority on offense and reinforcement of the midfield this summer, but they are also stepping up their defensive reinforcement. Collins is Arsenal's main target looking for a backup to William Saliba and Gabriel Magalyangis, he said.
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
Collins moved from Burnley to Wolverhampton ahead of the 2022-2023 season and began playing on the EPL stage. Collins, who immediately took off as Wolverhampton's main defender, has emerged as the center of Wolverhampton's defense with a solid defense. However, with the manager's change, his position at Wolverhampton began to falter, and he decided to go to Brentford ahead of the 2023-2024 season.
Collins also immediately became a mainstay at Brentford. He played in 35 games last season, and also played in 36 official games this season to keep the defensive line. He also showed off his outstanding skills by ranking No. 1 in the EPL this season. Arsenal are expected to build a stable rotation by adding Collins to the center-back system centered on Saliba and Magalyangis.
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
 |
| Picture=Kim Ji-soo SNS Capture |
|
If Collins moves to Arsenal after being courted by Arsenal, it is Kim Ji-soo who can laugh. Kim Ji-soo, who wore a Brentford uniform in 2023, spent his first season with Brentford B team and is receiving a little bit of opportunity in the Brentford first team from this season. He also made his EPL debut in December last year. In the 33rd minute of the second half against Brighton, he took the ground instead of Ben Mee. After about six months since the first-team call-up in June last year, he eventually made the EPL stage. In January, he made his debut against Plymouth Argyle.
However, so far, Kim Ji-soo is not given much time to play. After starting against Argyll, he was listed as a substitute, but he failed to play in five consecutive games. Since then, he has played a very short time in the second half against Aston Villa on March 9th, stepping on the ground in extra time, and has not played in any games so far. Under these circumstances, if Collins, a solid main player, moves to Arsenal and leaves his position in the next season, Kim Ji-soo can also have a good chance.
Kim Ji-soo, who began to grow into the first Korean EPL center back, has an opportunity to take a leap forward. If Collins leaves, Kim Ji-soo's full-fledged adaptation to the EPL is expected to begin.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
