Mexico national team manager Jaime Lozano has identified South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in as the top player to watch, expressing a strong desire to neutralize his impact. Lozano’s connection with Lee began in March 2022 when Lozano took the helm at UD Ibiza. Despite being recognized as a top prospect at Valencia, Lee faced limited opportunities due to a strained relationship with management. He subsequently flourished at RCD Mallorca, where Lozano lauded his technical abilities and utilized him as a key attacking force.
Lee Kang-in’s Stellar Season with Mallorca
The 2022-2023 season saw Lee Kang-in reach new heights. He featured in 36 La Liga matches for Mallorca, starting 33, accumulating 2840 minutes, and contributing six goals and six assists. This performance marked a significant achievement for a South Korean player in reaching double-digit attacking contributions. Lee also made history as the first South Korean to be nominated for Player of the Month and Team of the Year awards in the league. Although he didn’t secure an award, his nominations were a testament to his breakthrough season.
Further highlighting his exceptional form, one of Lee’s spectacular goals was recognized among the best of the season, even earning a spot in the top ten goals of Round 30 of La Liga. This recognition also stands as a first for a South Korean player.
Dominant Dribbling and Playmaking
Lee Kang-in’s impressive dribbling statistics further underscore his impact. He successfully completed 90 dribbles during the season, ranking him fourth in successful dribbles among players in Europe’s top five leagues. Within La Liga, he was the second-highest ranked player in this category, trailing only Vinícius Júnior, the ‘Dribbling King’. His success rate in dribbling was even more remarkable, standing at an outstanding 68%, significantly higher than Lionel Messi’s 50%.
Beyond dribbling, Lee consistently ranked among the league leaders in key passes and chances created. His contributions were instrumental in Mallorca’s ninth-place finish in the league, a remarkable achievement considering they were initially considered relegation candidates.
Media Acclaim and Individual Honors
Mallorca’s media outlets lauded Lee Kang-in as the ‘core of Mallorca and an irreplaceable player’ for the season, awarding him a perfect score of 10 out of 10. He was also selected for the Silver Eleven, the second-best team in fantasy football points, and recognized as the best midfielder in the league. These accolades further solidified his status as a pioneering South Korean player.
Agirre’s Strategic Focus on Lee Kang-in
Leveraging Lee Kang-in’s consistent performances, Paris Saint-Germain secured his transfer. Agirre, who intimately understands Lee’s capabilities, has identified him as the primary threat for the opposing team. Ahead of the group stage match against South Korea on the 19th (Korean time) at the Estadio Guadalajara, Agirre stated in a press conference the day before, “I cherish Lee Kang-in like a son. He is difficult to defend because he attacks from the flank and cuts inside, utilizing the space. He is also capable of one-on-one situations and mid-range shots. He is most dangerous when attacking from midfield.”
Agirre emphasized, “Our strategy will not only be to stop Lee Kang-in but also to win the ball from the entire South Korean team and launch our own attacks.” He added, “I know Lee Kang-in well. He is a player who can visualize the entire field in front of him and play comfortably with the ball. Our players also know Lee Kang-in well and have analyzed him beforehand. Therefore, I believe we can defend effectively.” He specifically stressed the importance of “preventing Lee Kang-in from having possession of the ball.”
Lee Kang-in’s Tournament Performance
Lee Kang-in has been a standout performer in the current tournament. In the opening match against the Czech Republic, which South Korea won 2-1, he showcased his superior class. His performance included one assist, one shot on target, three key passes, five successful dribbles out of six attempts, and winning 10 out of 14 duels. Notably, his pass completion rate in the opponent’s final third was an impressive 100%, successfully completing all 18 attempted passes.
Another significant statistic from the Czech Republic match comes from football statistics site Opta. Lee Kang-in successfully completed five dribbles, a feat that no single player achieved five or more successful dribbles in a single match during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The last player to achieve this was Hazard in the 2018 Russia World Cup semi-final against France. Lee Kang-in is now the first player in eight years to replicate this achievement.
Agirre’s Perspective on Other South Korean Players
Beyond Lee Kang-in, Agirre also mentioned other South Korean talents such as Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Hwang In-beom (Red Star Belgrade), as well as Oh Hyeon-gyu (Celtic). “Son Heung-min’s speed is good,” Agirre commented. “Hwang In-beom scored against us in a friendly match and also scored in the recent match against the Czech Republic.”
Hwang In-beom, who recorded one goal and one assist against the Czech Republic, was mentioned multiple times. Agirre stated, “He had an assist in the Czech match and also scored a goal. The chemistry between Hwang In-beom and the wingers looked good. We are watching him closely,” he said, forming the number six with both hands.
Assessment of South Korea’s Tactical Prowess
Agirre highly regards South Korea’s tactical approach. Reflecting on the 2-2 draw in a friendly match last September, he noted, “We were outplayed in the midfield transition speed. South Korea advances with incredibly fast speed.” Regarding the pressure to win in front of their home fans, he stated, “I haven’t said anything special to the players about this week. I hope they play well tomorrow and maintain our winning record.”
He added, “I will prepare for the game as simply as possible. Even as a player, I never thought complicatedly; I was always the type to do my best.” Agirre concluded by reiterating, “I have spoken about two South Korean players, and they are truly exceptional. I am genuinely looking forward to tomorrow’s match.” The press conference concluded with Agirre saying ‘Thank you’ in Korean before leaving the room.
