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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Bull'Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton)'s crisis is getting longer.
Hwang Hee-chan was substituted in the seventh round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2024-2025 season against Brentford at a community stadium in Brentford, England on the 5th (Korea time). However, he did not show much performance and had to watch his team lose. Wolverhampton lost 3-5. Wolverhampton has been in a deep slump with just one point from seven games this season, including four consecutive losses. Of course, it's at the bottom. Wolverhampton local magazine 'Molinho News' reported that Wolverhampton was in a slump with no end in sight. We are facing the reality of demotion,' he said.
Hwang Hee-chan stepped on the ground in the 12th minute of the second half of the day. The playing time was longer than the last five rounds against Liverpool. He played on the ground for 33 minutes, but he didn't get a single shot. He touched only 10 times, and the pass success rate was only 75%. Footmob, a website specializing in statistics, gave Hwang Hee-chan a 5.9 rating. SofaScore had a rating of 6.4. WhoscoredCom gave a score of 6.0. They were all in the bottom half of the team.
Hwang Hee-chan fell into the worst crisis since entering the EPL. Hwang Hee-chan was Wolverhampton's ace last season. Hwang Hee-chan, who wore a Wolverhampton uniform in 2020, has just continued to do so, but he emerged as a top striker through last season. He was considered the most decisive player in the English Premier League, displaying amazing determination. He scored a career-high 13 goals. He scored 10 goals in the first half alone. He received rave reviews from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and even earned the nickname `The Korean Guy.'
Wolverhampton, encouraged by Hwang Hee-chan's performance, pushed for a renewal. He renewed his contract until the summer of 2028 with the highest salary in the team. Hwang Hee-chan received a love call from a big club all summer. Coach Roberto de Gerby, who took the helm of Marseille in recognition of his leadership at Brighton, wanted Hwang Hee-chan. Hwang Hee-chan chose to stay in Wolverhampton. Hwang Hee-chan "I had to make a big decision this summer"Marceille made me an offer, and I spoke to O'Neill several times. De Zerby called me almost every day." Then "I trusted the director (O'Neill). He said I was a very important player, which gave me faith. After O'Neill said that, I said I would stay at Wolverhampton and give it my all."
He expected a consistent performance this season, but Hwang Hee-chan was reduced to Gye-reuk in his worst form. Molineux News reported 'Hwang Hee-chan was one of O'Neill's favorite players last season. But I'm having a hard time this season." Then 'You can't play in this form. Without controversy Hwang Hee-chan is one of Wolverhampton's worst players to date. So far, the situation is really tough. I don't see the same threat as last season at all.
Hwang Hee-chan started consecutively in the opening match against Arsenal and the second match against Chelsea, but failed to play against Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, which led to poor play. He got his chance after a long time through a League Cup game against Brighton, but he was sluggish again. He also showed sluggish performance on this day. First of all, the position problem seems to be bigger than the skill. Molineux News is 'Maybe it's a position issue. Some people point out that Hwang Hee-chan is not effective when he plays in a large space. 'Wolverhampton came into the box more often from the centre last season because he didn't have a traditional striker, but this season he can't because he has Jergen Stran Larsen.'
Rumors of a release have already been made in the British media. The Athletic have three months left before the winter transfer window opens. If he does not regain his starting position by then, there will be new discussions about the future in January next year.'" Unless there is a special reversal, Hwang Hee-chan's rumors of a crisis are likely to continue throughout.
Hwang Hee-chan will play in the A-match in October. Coach Hong Myung-bo said, `Most of the players selected this time are consistently playing for more than 70 minutes in their team, but only Hwang Hee-chan is not able to play much. The reason for choosing Hwang Hee-chan is that the national team has a way to help the players. "There is a process in which a new player comes into the team and is born anew, but there are cases in which a player who has difficulties in the team gains strength from the national team and performs well in his team." Hwang Hee-chan also played well in the last match against Oman. I'll figure out how much I'm in condition and decide how to use it through dialogue."
As Son Heung-min is currently excluded from the national team list due to a hamstring injury, Hwang Hee-chan is likely to be here. As the two consecutive games against Jordan and Iraq are the most important matches in the third qualifying round of the World Cup, Hwang Hee-chan's revival is urgently needed.
On the other hand, the game was in the middle of a big slugfest. When Brentford's Nathan Collins scored the first goal with a header in the second minute of the first half, Wolverhampton responded with Matheus Cunha's equalizer two minutes later. In the 20th minute, Wolverhampton brought the game back to square one with a tall striker Larsen's equaliser in the 26th minute, as Brentford went ahead again with a goal from striker Brian Mbjömo.
The tight game changed the mood as Brentford took the lead again. He made his third goal in the 28th minute with a shot from Christian Neurgor following a momentary pass player. Brentford, who gained momentum, scored an additional goal in the first half of extra time by Dan Pinnock. Brentford took the lead 4-2 with six goals in the first half alone.
In the second half, Wolverhampton tried to tie the game by putting in Hwang Hee-chan and Gonzalo Guedes. However, the effect was not significant. Rather, he was beaten by Fabio Carvalho in the 45th minute of the second half. Wolverhampton had a goal saved by Rayan Aitnuri in extra time, but time was running out.
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Brentford defender Kim Ji-soo, born in 2004, was listed as a substitute but did not play. Unfortunately, the Korean Derby was also canceled. Kim Ji-soo, who wore a Brentford uniform in June last year, played in Team B last season and was promoted to the first team this season, but has only played in one League Cup game last month.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
