2015 was the year of exciting transfers, a lot of activity happened. For example, Son Heung-Min leaving the Bundesliga for the Premier League, Park Joo-Ho joining his former coach and Koo Ja-Cheol returning to Augsburg. Some transfer were surprising while some were expected.
Son Heung-Min to Tottenham Hotspur’s
The biggest transfer move by a Korean player has to be Son Heung-min this year, he moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Tottenham Hotspur’s for $30 million dollars on a five year contract. This move was quite a shock as no one saw it coming and we expected to see him play in the Bundesliga for at least another year. But then again every time someone interviewed him he said his goal is to play in the Premier League. So in August, Korea and the football world got a surprise when it was confirmed Son will leave the Bundesliga for the Premier League and Champions League for the Europa League. Some said he was crazy and some said it was the right decision. I personally would have liked Son Heung-Min to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for another year and compete in the Champions League. Son hasn’t been given much chances to shine with the Spurs as he sustained a minor injury early on and has been out shined by inform Erik Lamela. Hopefully we get to see him score some goals and become a regular starter in 2016.
Park Joo-Ho to Borussia Dortmund
Another interesting transfer happened this year by Korean left back Park Joo-Ho, he left Mainz for Borussia Dortmund. He followed former Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel to Borussia Dortmund. This transfer was not that surprising as there were many rumors stating that Borussia Dortmund was interested in Park. Park’s transfer was an obvious choice as they needed a backup left back for Marcel Schmelzer and with Dortmund playing in the Europa League a decent back was necessary. With Tuchel impressed with Park’s work ethic and had previously worked together before, bringing Park into the squad was obvious. Like Son, Park hasn’t been living up to his name. He has more poor performances than good performances at Dortmund. A wake up call is needed during winter break if he wants some playing time.
Koo Ja-Cheol to Augsburg
In August 2015 during the preseason transfer window, Koo Ja-Cheol made a move back to Augsburg following Park Joo-Ho’s departure at Mainz and joining Hong Jeong-Ho and Ji Dong-Won in Augsburg. Joining Augsburg was a great decision made by Koo as he is an expected starter and great asset to the team. Augsburg fans were happy to have him back. His move was kind of expected as with Park Joo-Ho’s exit and Koo being continually benched early on the season at Mainz. Out of Son and Park, Koo is probably performing the best at his new club. With him being a vital player and chance creator at Augsburg.
Lee Chung-Yong to Crystal Palace
It seemed like forever since 2009’s Bolton Player of the Year Lee Chung-Yong shown brightly in the top flight of English football. Lee stayed loyal to Bolton while grinding away in the Championship division since relegation in 2012. What a year to forget, having sustained a near career ending /bone splitting injury in a preseason match in the summer of 2011 that took him out of practically the entire 2011-2012 season. The Blue Dragon had been steadily impactful for his club throughout the years. However, with Bolton’s floundering in the table as 2015’s January transfer window rolled around, it was clear that his chances to play in the Premier League was not going rise with the Wanderers. The last day of the transfer window saw Lee once again join the proper ranks of the top flight, this time in a Crystal Palace jersey. Remarkably, this transfer happened despite another leg break injury, this time sustained in the call of national team duty with the Asian Cup. Since recovery, he’s had a few opportunities, but it’s been limited. However, his wonder-strike game winner (and quite possibly a candidate for goal of the year) against Stoke last weekend undoubtedly elevated his status at Palace. We haven’t seen the last of Chungy as his club is riding high at 6th in the table, only a mere point away from the top 4 as the festive season gets underway.
Which transfer surprised you this year? And which player made the best move? Please comment below.
It should be noted that EPL does not have a winter break and the Spurs will be playing a brutal schedule. I am not surprised that Sonny is benched and used as a sub after full ninety minutes against AS Monaco. I also noticed that Spurs is not as potent when he is not starting. I think he will have a plenty of chances to shine. If I am wrong, he should look for a another club.
I don’t disagree – I think it’s all rotation management with the festive season fixtures. Personally, I’m not too terribly worried for Son at the moment.