Hwang Hee-chan's hamstring injury does not seem to be serious.
Wolverhampton won 2-0 in the fourth round of the English FA Cup in 2024-2025 season against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in Blackburn, England, at 9:30 p.m. on the 9th (Korea time).
Hwang Hee-chan had a chance to start for the first time in a long time. Hwang Hee-chan desperately needs a rebound. Hwang Hee-chan, who became Wolverhampton's ace last season with 12 goals and 3 assists in the English Premier League alone. Wolverhampton repaid Hwang Hee-chan by renewing his contract with the club's highest level of treatment.
However, Hwang Hee-chan has been extremely sluggish since the beginning of the season. It was difficult for Hwang Hee-chan to adapt as Gary O'Neill, who is now replaced, used Hwang Hee-chan in a different way than last season. It was a challenging time for Hwang Hee-chan as he suffered an ankle injury in the A-match in October.
He returned after the injury, but failed to provide an opportunity for a rebound because it was Hwang Hee-chan who had already given up the main position. After O'Neill was replaced, Hwang Hee-chan seemed to survive with Victor Pereira taking over. This is because he scored consecutive goals against Manchester United and Tottenham.
Hwang Hee-chan didn't take the opportunity. Against Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Newcastle United, they only showed their disappointment. At the time, the British Molineux News reported "Hwang Hee-chan was terrible against Nottingham and Bristol. Some Wolverhampton fans even called on Pereira to sell Hwang Hee-chan.
Hwang Hee-chan had an opportunity at a time when public opinion was heading for the worst. Wolverhampton prepared for a 3-4-2-1 formation. Hwang Hee-chan was deployed to the front line. Even if the opponent is a second-division team, Hwang Hee-chan's performance in the first half was very good.
Wolverhampton's first goal came from Hwang Hee-chan's toe. In the 33rd minute of the first half, Wolverhampton succeeded in pressing, and the ball headed to Gonzalo Guedes. Hwang Hee-chan received Guedes' pass in front of the penalty box. Hwang Hee-chan knew Joao Gomes' penetration running to the other side and immediately pushed the pass. João Gómez calmly handled it, leading to the first goal. It was Hwang Hee-chan's first help of the season.
Immediately Wolverhampton's extra goal was scored. This time again, it started with Hwang Hee-chan. When Hwang Hee-chan ran forward, a long pass was connected at once from the back. Hwang Hee-chan handed over to Matheus Cunha. There was a dribbling mistake by Cunha, but immediately Wolverhampton's pass play continued, and the ball headed back to Cunha. Cunha scored with an accurate shot to square. It was not an assist, but the attack that started with Hwang Hee-chan's movement ended with a score.
Hwang Hee-chan also regained his laughter at the stadium for the first time in a long time. Even that was brief. Just before the end of the first half, Hwang Hee-chan suddenly squatted. Hwang Hee-chan was touching his right hamstring with an expression of pain. Medical staff were put in and took action, but Hwang Hee-chan's expression did not improve.
In the end, the decision was made to replace it, and Hwang Hee-chan was replaced by Pablo Sarabia. Hwang Hee-chan immediately went into the locker room. Fortunately, Hwang Hee-chan's expression sitting on the bench at the end of the game was not at the level of concern.
In many ways, it is a difficult 2024-2025 season for Hwang Hee-chan. They are racist incidents before the start of the season, rumors of a subsequent move to Marseille, sudden changes in roles, Wolverhampton, a relegation zone crash, injuries and sluggishness, managerial changes, and injuries after sluggishness. In the end, Hwang Hee-chan has no choice but to prove it because it is a professional world. For now, I just hope it's not a big injury.
Fortunately, after the game, Pereira said of Hwang Hee-chan's injury "Let's see what happens. I hope it's not a serious matter. Some players complained of muscle pain, but we have to watch. In the case of Hwang Hee-chan, he was injured in his hamstring, but when we talked, he said there was no problem. I'll watch, and I'll have to wait for two days", he explained.
A hamstring injury can be quickly returned unless it is at a serious level. Hwang Hee-chan, who often experienced hamstring injuries, may have requested it as a precaution as soon as he felt something strange. A minor hamstring injury can be returned as early as two weeks. It's a relief to be unhappy.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
