Korean Footballer Abroad + K League Weekend Listing 4/8-4/10

Son Heung Min — Started and struggled to have an impact consistently as he was playing as a lone forward. A total non-entity in the air or with his back to goal, things finally started to click when Janssen was brought on to be the physical presence and allowed Son to play off of Janssen and attack from deeper. It paid off as he ran onto a beautiful backheel pass from Janssen and struck the winner in injury time. It wasn’t a great showing from Son but his hand in the outcome maybe all that mattered on an off day. As for weekend, it remains to be seen what lineup Pochettino goes with given uncertainty on Wanyama and Kane. If Kane is out, it may be between Son’s scoring and Janssen’s physicality as to who starts up top leaving the other on the bench. If Wanyama is out too, Poch could use both in 4-2-3-1. I think Son starts though against a weakened Watford side.

Ki Sung Yueng — When Naughton went down, Ki came in for Fer who had shifted to RB. I don’t know Naughton’s availability on short notice and hasn’t been ruled out yet. If Fer goes to RB, Ki should start but it seems he’s stuck on bench otherwise.

Park Joo Ho — There are tons of injuries but it seems Schmelzer may be fit enough. I didn’t see him mentioned among those travelling but doubt he’d play even if in squad.

Kwon Chang Hoon — I would have to think a second start would be called for. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t… Dijon need quality and clearly KCH brings enough of it regardless of excuses / language problems.

Ji Dong Won — When he came on, he brought some needed width as he was put in at LM. He showed great speed to cover a breakaway on defense and more importantly, chipped in on the offensive end with good dribbles and crosses. He earned a PK too with some determination, going in for a lost cause header and getting kicked in the head. The formation has been a problem, and at some point Baum will have to figure out a way of getting Ji/Koo/Bobadilla/Finnbogason in their right spots to cover up holes on defense. Even if it takes Ji out of better CF role, Augsburg needs goals and him at left winger would allow for all four to be in decent positions unlike 5-2-1-2 that they’ve been failing at.

Koo Ja Cheol — Koo was decent in his start but man that defense was so bad.  Whats the point of having 5 in the back if they let in goals so cheaply vs bottom team? Anyway, Koo provides needed quality in the middle but its a mess behind him so we’ll see if he starts deeper or at the 10.

Lee Chung Yong — There are tons of injuries but Allardyce criticized the quality of his bench so it seems LCY is far away. But he should at least make the bench, and with limited options otherwise, perhaps Allardyce will have to give him a chance.