Increase in the proportion of European players → National team 'Missed' Domestic big clubs and K-League as a whole to consider
Increase in the proportion of European players → National team 'Missed' Domestic big clubs and K-League as a whole to consider
Blog Article
The proportion of overseas players in the national team is getting bigger. The K-League naturally narrows down.
Nine of the 28 players in the A-match series to be held in March are K Leaguers. Strikers Joo Min-kyu (Daejeon Hana Citizen) and Lee Dong-kyung (Kimcheon Sangmu) are the only players in the attack and midfield. Four players were named in the defense line: Park Seung-wook and Cho Hyun-taek (Gimcheon), Lee Tae-seok (Pohang Steelers), and Hwang Jae-won (Daegu FC). They also included Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan HD), Lee Chang-geun (Daejeon), and Kim Dong-heon (Kimcheon).
Of the 25 field players, only six are K-League players. Even those players are concentrating on defense. K-League champion Ulsan produced only one Cho Hyun-woo as a member of its national team. He is not affiliated with Jeonbuk Hyundai at all. Players from other K-League corporate teams that boast traditions such as FC Seoul and Jeju SK were not listed.
The biggest reason is young players going to Europe. Bae Joon-ho (Stoke City), Um Ji-sung (Swansea City), Yang Min-hyuk (Queens Park Rangers), Yang Hyun-joon (Celtic) and Oh Hyun-kyu (Henk) have increased the number of players heading to Europe through the K-League in recent years. If they had not moved to Europe, they would have played as K-League players.
As the number of players advancing to Europe is increasing, K-League clubs are having difficulty in supplying players. Compared to the past, Jeonbuk and Ulsan have significantly decreased the number of players to be recruited by paying high annual salaries. They are not spending less money. Last year, Jeonbuk and Ulsan spent more than 20 billion won (approx. Five years ago in 2020, Jeonbuk spent 16.9 billion won (14.6 million U.S. dollars) and Ulsan spent 14.6 billion won (14.6 million dollars). While expenditures have increased, production of representative players has decreased.
It is also impossible to block a pillar-class player from advancing to Europe. Europe has become a stage that young players should go to recently. Even high school prospects aspire to play in Europe rather than the K-League. There is no way for K-League clubs to block a player's challenge to become an advanced soccer player.
Even in neighboring Japan, the trend of European leagues is intensifying. If you look at the A-match roster in November last year, there were only four players from the J-League. Excluding two goalkeepers, there were only two field players. We cannot think negatively for the sake of soccer development.
However, the K-League requires consideration. With a star player going overseas, it is not easy to maintain competitive edge. K-League teams are having difficulty in producing performances in AFC club competitions even though they spend more labor costs than in the past. 안전놀이터
The most popular sport in Korea is national soccer. In the past, K-League teams enjoyed special performances. Once a national team member was produced, K-League teams actively engaged in star marketing and promotion activities, but now it has become a challenge.