"Return to Mbappe Leaving Neymar" PSG rapidly changed, and Lee Kang-in is expected to be "good" "LEE, if you play as an MF in Jungwon, 'Creativity' may shine more"
The departure of Neymar (31) and the return of Kylian Mbappe (24) could be more favorable for Lee Kang-in, according to local reports in France.
PSG is facing a big change starting the 2023-2024 season. "Superstar" Neymar is about to transfer to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, and Mbappe, who was in conflict with the club over the transfer, dramatically reconciled with the club and returned to training in the first division the previous day.
Many unexpected things happened in just a few days, including Neymar's sudden transfer and Mbappe-PSG's reconciliation. Neymar originally announced his stay in PSG. "I have a contract with PSG and I want to play in PSG again this season," he said on YouTube channel CazeTV last month. "No one has ever told me (about the transfer)," he said, drawing a line on the transfer rumor. Neymar made only 20 league appearances due to injury last season, but scored 13 goals and 11 assists to rank fifth in Ligue 1 offensive points. He was second in the assist category after Lionel Messi (16 assists). However, voices of criticism continued when PSG was eliminated from the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League and Neymar was also unable to play due to injury. At the time, Neymar said, "Even if there is no affection between fans and players, I am calm. Regardless of whether there is love or not here (PSG), I will be here," he stressed.
Neymar also participated in PSG's Asian tour and played a good match against Jeonbuk Hyundai at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on the 3rd, returning from injury in about six months, scoring two goals and one assist. At that time, he played with Lee Kang-in for the first time and worked together. He was expected to play together this season, but eventually chose to transfer to Al Hilal.
The Arab media Al Jazeera News Agency said on the same day, "Neymar has agreed to a two-year contract with Al Hilal," adding, "The transfer fee is around 90 million euros (about 131 billion won). Neymar will receive a total of 160 million euros (about 230 billion won) for two years. The uniform number is 10," he said.
Mbappe also seemed to have completely fallen out with PSG over the transfer issue, but made a dramatic reconciliation. The relationship between the two sides began when Mbappe did not accept PSG's offer to renew its contract. The contract between Mbappe and PSG is due in June next year. There is also an option to extend a year if both sides want to. However, Mbappe rejected PSG's offer to renew his contract and decided to leave the team as a free agent after negotiating with another team from January next year. The most likely team to transfer was Real Madrid.
PSG Chairman Nasser Al-Kelaifi publicly criticized Mbappe and said, "If Mbappe wants to stay, he must renew his contract with PSG. We can't hand over the best player in the world to another team for free. This is impossible," he said. Mbappe's options were given within these two big frameworks, whether to renew his contract or transfer to another team this summer to earn transfer fees. But Mbappe didn't budge. Then PSG's pressure on him began. Mbappe trained in the second team without being able to accompany PSG on their Asian tour. He was also absent from the official photo shoot of Ligue 1 on the 9th with Neymar. Mbappe's uniform, which was sold at PSG's club store, has also disappeared. But Mbappe did not back down either. He was also excluded from the list in the opening game of the Ligue 1 against Lorien on the 13th and watched the game from the stands. Recently, Britain's Sky Sports said, "Mbappe is ready to spend on the bench before the contract expires in June next year."
Al-Hilal, who is almost close to Neymar's recruitment, tried to recruit Mbappe earlier. Last month, France's "L'Equipe" said, "Al Hilal proposed 700 million euros (about 988.2 billion won) in annual salary, including portrait rights, and 300 million euros (423.5 billion won) in transfer fees to recruit Mbappe." PSG was a great opportunity to sell Mbappe. But Mbappe refused at once. According to the UK's "The Times," PSG was embarrassed when Mbappe refused Al Hilal's offer without even hearing it.
However, Mbappe is said to have made up through positive talks with Chairman Al-Kelaifi and coach Luis Enrique. PSG said on its official channel on the 14th, "Mbappe returned to training in the first division after very constructive and positive discussions with the club." At the same time, Mbappe revealed himself smiling and training with his teammates. In the released video, PSG players, including Lee Kang-in, celebrated their return with a ceremony to hit Mbappe on the back after standing in two long lines.
European soccer expert Fabrizio Romano also said on his social networking service (SNS) that "Mbappe is back. PSG Chairman Nasser Al-Kelaifi also said, "Mbappe will now concentrate on training," adding, "Mbappe can play from the next game."
Britain's "The Athletic" also said on the same day, "Mbappe met and talked with Alkellip an hour before the first round of the League 1 home game against Lorient." "After the match, I met with manager Luis Enrique and general manager Luis Campos and had a positive conversation," he said.
This left Neymar and left Mbappe. As a result, domestic fans are expressing both regret and joy. Lee Kang-in can be portrayed playing with Mbappe again, but Neymar's departure is regrettable.
In the midst of this, it has been reported that Neymar's departure could rather serve as a boon for Lee Kang-in. In addition, Mbappe's return is expected to greatly help Lee Kang-in show his creativity.
"PSG can consider Lee Kang-in as a substitute for Neymar and Lionel Messi," said PSG Talk, which mainly conveys PSG news. "Messi left PSG, and Neymar is about to transfer to Al Hilal," he said. "This could be a good thing for Lee Kang-in, who is starting the 2023-2024 season."
"PSG Talk" stressed that Lee Kang-in is likely to see great light in the midfield position. Earlier, 'Lakeep' said, "Lee Kang-in has played as a central midfielder for Mallorca. "PSG sees Lee Kang-in's creative midfielder skills as a potential alternative." Citing this, "PSG Talk" also said, "Lee Kang-in, who has versatility, can play in a midfielder position where he has to show creativity." PSG explained, "We can solve the problem of not having the right resources for the position from Lee Kang-in."
PSG Talk' said, "The power loss due to the absence of Messi and Neymar is great. This is why PSG is keeping an eye on Bernardo Silva, he said. "However, if he fails to recruit a midfielder before the summer transfer market deadline on September 1st, Lee Kang-in will have a great opportunity." The 22-year-old scored a decisive key pass in the opening match (0-0) against Lorien on the 13th, he explained.
스포츠중계
Lee Kang-in played as a 4-3-3 right-side striker in the last match against Lorien. He failed to score an offensive point, but he threatened the opponent's goal by hitting three shots. He was at the center of the PSG attack by diligently moving back and forth between the sides and the center. He was not only in charge of PSG's corner kick, but also showed off his fierce kick sense by crossing several times. The unique soft dribbling and de-pressurization were also outstanding.
The League 1 secretariat recognized Lee Kang-in's performance by selecting him as the "The Player" for the best player in the game. France's "Foot Mercato" said, "Korea's jewel Lee Kang-in made his League 1 debut at Parc des Princes." He showed his merits without regret. "Lee Kang-in, a native of Valencia, showed very active movements on both sides of the attack and played the role of a catalyst for Paris in the first game of the league."
"PSG Talk" emphasized Lee Kang-in's creativity and said, "If Lee Kang-in plays as a midfielder, he can provide opportunities to talented strikers such as Mbappe, Osman Dembele, and Gonzalo Hamus."
PSG will play the second round of League 1 against Toulouse at 4 a.m. on the 20th. Fans' attention and expectations are focused on whether Lee Kang-in and Mbappe will play together.