LongAwaited

FC Seoul’s first season underneath the stewardship of supervisor Kim Gi-dong introduced a fourth-place end and sure qualification for the AFC Champions League. In a season that noticed Ok League make headlines all around the world attributable to Jesse Lingard’s transfer to the Korean capital, FC Seoul can chalk the 12 months down as considered one of progress and as a platform to construct on for subsequent 12 months.

First Mission Full?

General Report – 16 wins, 10 attracts, 12 losses (58 factors)

FC Seoul ended the season in fourth place, marking the capital membership’s first top-six end since 2019 which, in concept, ought to imply a spot within the AFC Champions League for subsequent season however that depends upon whether or not Ok League groups win both of this season’s competitions. It took some time for Seoul to actually get going, with two wins and two attracts from the primary 5 video games wanting like an honest begin however after the 0-0 draw with Daegu in Spherical 6, Seoul went on a run of three wins in 11 within the league.

5 straight residence losses from mid-April to early June was an undesirable membership report. However then six straight residence wins from mid-June to late August and an general run of 9 wins in 11 nearly had them within the title dialog. A late-season mini-slump threatened to curtail their progress, although, ending the marketing campaign with three wins from their final 10, however on the intense facet, eight factors from 12 within the final 4 video games, together with a final-day win over Gimcheon sealed a top-four berth – the primary mission in turning this membership again into one which challenges for honours.

Seoul have been defensively sound and ended the marketing campaign with the third-fewest targets in opposition to tally with 42. Kim Ju-sung had an excellent season and blossomed alongside summer season recruit Yazan Al-Arab, the all-action Jordan worldwide. Seoul have been fairly potent on the different finish, too, with 55 targets scored being the joint-third highest within the league. All in all, Seoul appeared good in transitions and had harmful gamers who may execute an excellent counterattack. On the entire, recruitment may be seen as a hit with a lot of the gamers signed in 2024 making constructive contributions. That features Jesse Lingard who completed the season with six targets and three assists and should you ignore Rebin Sulaka and Takuya Shigehiro.

What Did not Go Properly

With it being a really constructive season for FC Seoul, it is onerous to pinpoint one thing particular that did not go too properly. If we’re nitpicking, there was a little bit of a reliance on Stanislav Iljutcenko to attain targets. He received 14 with 5 assists and Lingard was second with six, adopted by Willyan and Cho Younger-wook with 4 every. There was an odd reluctance for Kim Gi-dong to make use of Ronaldo Tavares and Willyan, each efficient gamers when given an opportunity. Ronaldo specifically who ran Jeonbuk ragged in that 5-1 win in the summertime. The Portuguese appeared unplayable however was barely given an opportunity. There was additionally that dismal run of 5 straight residence losses and a heavy 5-1 loss to Pohang within the cup which made it appear like the crew have been unable to dig themselves out of a rut, however proved to be blips in an in any other case profitable 12 months.

Younger Participant of the 12 months

No single under-22 participant had a stand-out 12 months for FC Seoul however a handful made stable contributions at numerous factors all through. Centre again Park Seong-hoon, for instance, featured 12 instances and appeared very assured for a 21-year-old who had performed simply two Ok League video games earlier than this season. Winger Kang Ju-hyeok made 10 appearances, albeit solely three from the beginning, however managed to attain one and help one. Kang solely turned 18 in August and appears like an actual prospect. Midfielder Hwang Do-yoon received a run within the crew in direction of the top of the marketing campaign and didn’t look misplaced. Deciding on a dependable U22 participant for 2025 will likely be one thing for the supervisor to do throughout pre-season.

The highly effective striker bagged 14 to complete because the league’s second-top scorer and in addition registered a really wholesome 5 assists for 19 aim contributions in 36 appearances and 27 begins. When it comes to match-winners or targets in tight video games, Iljutcenko helped Seoul earn seven factors extra, and together with assists it is extra like 13. Lastly, Seoul had a striker to guide the road and deal with the duty of being that man for the crew. His anticipated departure on the finish of the 12 months is all of the extra baffling when wanting again at Iljutcenko’s contributions in 2024. There should even be particular mentions for Choi Jun who was very good at proper again and did an excellent job in midfield too when the crew had accidents, in addition to Lingard who raised requirements and grew into Ok League because the season progressed to register six targets and three assists.

Anticipated Extra

There are a couple of gamers who did not fairly dwell as much as expectations. Willyan is one however he was hardly used, making solely seven begins from 27 appearances general. Cho Younger-wook too did nearly sufficient with 4 targets and 4 assists however it’s a must to marvel about him – what’s his greatest place, and what may be carried out to essentially unlock his potential? He is not a child anymore at 25 – 26 by the point the brand new season kicks off. Kang Seong-jin is one other with two targets and one help from 22 appearances (13 begins) however Kim Gi-dong seems to be making an attempt to mould him right into a centre ahead. He is additionally nonetheless solely 21 and younger sufficient to be seen as a participant of potential.

Most Essential Choice for the Low season

FC Seoul’s squad wants a little bit of a clearout and the international participant spots want addressing. Kim Gi-dong wants to show this bloated fallen big right into a lean and hungry machine in 2025, able to kick on and push for the title. When it comes to the membership’s international expertise, contracted for subsequent season are Aleksandar Paločević, who will return from his mortgage spell with OFK Beograd, Jesse Lingard, Lucas Silva, and Willyan. A substitute for Iljutcenko is required as the primary precedence but in addition discovering the appropriate mixture to get the very best out of the international gamers is required. 4 may be performed on the identical time, which appears to be like like it will likely be Yazan Al-Arab, Lingard, Lucas Silva, plus yet another.