Last week,
Choe Ganghui replaced
Jo Gwangrae to become the new head coach for men's senior team. As it happens with many alterations, changes in the squad should be expected. Already, Choe has expressed his desire to not only select, but start
I Donggug in the upcoming World Cup qualification against Kuwait. He has yet to provide the media his blueprint, but he did, however, note days prior to the announcement that 'if he was ever made the manager,' he would consider using I Donggug and
Bak Juyeong together.
Another thing that was mentioned before the final announcement was a formation change. The last manager was heavily criticized for enforcing, as we later found out, a type of football unorthodox and outlandishly foreign in Korea. Manager Choe commented that the Spanish revolution was not a success and using two strikers would be more adequate against Asian opponents. If Choe is not a lying man, we will most likely see a 4-4-2 formation starting against Kuwait come February.
So now that the big picture is out, what others changes will we see from the man who plays computer strategy games as a hobby? For one, he promised on the day of his signing that the base of his team will be focused by domestic players, perhaps meaning to highlight the recent struggles of Korea's Europe based players. The likes of Bak Juyeong,
Son Heungmin, and
Nam Taehui have been playing significantly less minutes at their respective clubs in comparison to their K-League squad mates and the time may have come for them to switch places with older, K-League-r players who have been, for the most part, warming the seats under their previous manager. Let's look at the possible replacement candidates:
I Donggug, FW,
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - There will be those pondering, 'how many lives does this guy have?', but this selection is a no brainer. Korea's two main striking options from the Jo Gwangrae era--Bak Juyeong and
Ji Dongwon--are finding a hard time getting minutes in England. Their playing form, physical condition, and confidence level will be questionable come February and Korea has only so few others to rely on.
Ever since signing with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2009, I Donggug has been lightning it up the score sheet, winning the K-League scoring title in his first year with the club and the AFC Champions League scoring title this year. Combine those two competitions and he has scored 57 goals in 95 matches during his Jeonbuk stint, all of which came playing playing under Choe Ganghui. His performance at the national team level may have disappointed you in the past, but if there ever was a time to place your trust in this man, it is right now when Choe Ganghui is his coach.
Bak Juho, DF,
FC Basel - Many different left backs have been tested since
I Yeongpyo's retirement, yet not one of them have performed their way to a de facto starting player. With the recent coaching change, it is likely that there will be another baton switch. Luckily for the next guy in line, the FC Basel defender has adjusted quite well to his new club, most recently helping his club advance to the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League. The often injured skipper looks to have raised his fitness level by a few notches since arriving in Switzerland, and has been seen making incredible overlapping runs that reminded us all of Bak Juho during his days as a U20 captain.
Baek Seongdong, MF,
Yonsei University - Baek Seongdong came onto the limelight during this year's U20 World Cup. His performance against Spain, especially, was received with utmost praise by the fans and later became an internet sensation after it was compiled into a video highlight. When
Hong Myeongbo, the manager of the current U23 team, tried the normally winger at the attacking midfielder position, Baek responded very well to test. He has since been made an everyday starter under Hong, playing the role of a hustling link between midfielders and attackers. The 20 year old's performance at the U23 level has been generally inspiring and it is hard to believe Choe Ganghui will miss out on an opportunity to see him out.
Gim Sinuk, FW,
Ulsan Hyundai FC - At 196 cm, he is the tallest field player in K-League right now. Believed still to be learning how to use his size after being turned into a centre forward by Gim Hogon three years ago, the 23 year old's scoring total has remained steadily low at 7, 7, and 8 since making his debut back in 2009. However, the general evaluation among fans is that his performance has been progressing into the right path. His physical presence came to a shining in the latter stages of this season when he posed a constant aerial threat to the opposition's defenders during the playoffs whilst helping Ulsan make an underdog run to the championship final.
Gim Sinuk also has the odd experience of playing central midfielder as a youth and often shocks the stands with smooth touches and wild dribbles. For now, he is not as agile and mobile as a national team striker is required to be, but the World Cup is long away and there remains a lot of matches to be played in between. With the kind of progress he has been making, and at the rate he has been making them, it would be a safe bet to think he will be integrated into the national team at some point in the cycle.
Jo Seonghwan, DF,
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - When Choe Ganghui declared that Jeonbuk would use an all out attacking strategy, it meant it was time Jo Seonghwan to become a serious business. A sole bright point in an otherwise very poor Jeonbuk defence, Jo put in performances of a lifetime during year 2011 and got named to K-League's Best 11 for the first time in his career. Without Jo, Jeonbuk lost in the AFC Champions League final. With Jo, Jeonbuk defeated Ulsan comfortably to win the domestic title. Choe Ganghui just might return the favour by calling Jo Seunghwan to the national team.
Dzenan Radoncic, FW,
Suwon Samsung Bluewings - If Radoncic's naturalization turns out successful, he should be considered as an option for the same reasons why Gim Sinuk should be considered. Similar in physical size and playing style, only thing that sets them apart is age. If Gim has the upside, then Radoncic has the experience. This mention is a prelude to an entry on Radoncic, which I plan on making in days ahead.
In the second part of the entry, I will discuss which of the current regulars are candidates to be cut in Choe Ganghui's era and what the final formation may end up looking like if my expectations come out true.
