First-time EPL center back Kim Ji-soo failed to participate in 3G in a row → Rather, an opportunity? Rooney's replacement draws attention to the possibility of the lowest opponent in the second division

Jan 05, 2025

First-time EPL center back Kim Ji-soo failed to participate in 3G in a row → Rather, an opportunity? Rooney's replacement draws attention to the possibility of the lowest opponent in the second division
Photo=Brentford SNS Capture



First-time EPL center back Kim Ji-soo failed to participate in 3G in a row → Rather, an opportunity? Rooney's replacement draws attention to the possibility of the lowest opponent in the second division
Photo=Brentford SNS Capture
Kim Ji-soo's bid to play in the English Premier League (EPL) for the third consecutive game was canceled. However, there is still plenty of opportunity to play.

Brentford won 5-0 in the 20th round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2024-2025 season at St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton, England on the 5th (Korea time).

Kim Ji-soo of the game was on the replacement list, but his participation was ultimately canceled. Perhaps because of Sef Van den Berg, who returned from injury, manager Thomas Frank did not consider hiring Kim Ji-soo. Van denberg built a stable defensive line with Nathan Collins. Kim Ji-soo waited on the bench until the end of the game, and Brentford finished the game with a big victory.




First-time EPL center back Kim Ji-soo failed to participate in 3G in a row → Rather, an opportunity? Rooney's replacement draws attention to the possibility of the lowest opponent in the second division
Photo=Brentford SNS Capture
Kim Ji-soo made his EPL debut on the 28th of last month. In the 33rd minute of the second half against Brighton, he took the ground instead of Ben Mee. Kim Ji-soo, who has been playing in the second division since moving from K League 2 Seongnam FC to Brentford in June 2023, eventually stepped on the EPL stage after about six months since the first-team call-up in June last year.

Kim Ji-soo became the youngest Korean Premier Leaguer. The previous record was 20 years and 3 months old when Ji Dong-won, the eighth Korean Premier Leaguer, was deployed as a substitute for Sunderland in the 2011-2012 season opener away game against Liverpool in August 2011. It has become the 15th Korean Premier Leaguer.

He played in two consecutive games. He played against EPL favorite Arsenal. Despite playing as a substitute for a short time, he clearly showed stable defense and excellent pass skills. Therefore, he was expected to play in three consecutive games against Southampton, but coach Frank used Van den Berg, who returned from injury, full-time and Kim Ji-soo did not put in.




First-time EPL center back Kim Ji-soo failed to participate in 3G in a row → Rather, an opportunity? Rooney's replacement draws attention to the possibility of the lowest opponent in the second division
Picture=Kim Ji-soo SNS Capture
However, there are still many opportunities. He was in a situation where he could immediately take a chance on the schedule that followed. Brentford is scheduled for the third round of the FA Cup in the 2024-2025 season on the 12th. The opponent is Plymouth Argyle, who recently replaced coach Wayne Rooney and is seeking to escape last place in the Championship (second division).

As the gap between Plymouth and Brentford is clear, Frank may also consider using an unconventional starter. Plymouth, in particular, has not scored a goal per game with 24 goals in 25 league games this season. The figure is also the lowest in the championship. Considering Plymouth's sluggish offense, even Kim Ji-soo's starting card could be an option.

Expectations are growing for Kim Ji-soo, who began to become the first Korean to become an EPL center back. Attention is focusing on whether Kim Ji-soo will be able to challenge Plymouth for the first time this season.






This article was translated by Naver AI translator.