More problems for Hwang at Wolves
More problems for Hwang at Wolves
Blog Article
It has been a real stop-and-start season for Hwang Hee-chan in the English Premier League and is in danger of becoming one to forget. It is striking that the best moment so far came for him as he scored the winning goal against Portugal in the World Cup in December, a goal that took the Taeguk Warriors into the second round. But Hwang has not scored at all this season for his club Wolverhampton Wanderers. His future in England's Black Country region looks uncertain.
Injuries have played a part. His goal against Portugal came in Korea's third game of the World Cup and that was as a late substitute but his first as he was not fully fit after returning from injury. Then he picked up a hamstring injury in the 3-0 win over Liverpool on Feb. 4.
Wolves coach Julen Lopetegui said last Friday that he is expecting the Korean to be out for some time. "It depends, each player's recovery is different ― I don't know but four or five weeks we might have to wait for him." Hwang has returned home to Korea to recover.
It is a shame. The arrival of Spaniard Lopetegui in November brought about improved performances from Hwang who started last season with a bang when he first arrived but has since struggled to find the net. The 한국을 new coach knows what he is doing and has had spells in charge of Spain, Porto and the mighty Real Madrid. Wolves has started to pull away from the bottom of the table.
Now it is going to be the end of March before Hwang is fully fit and the 27-year-old may find it a little difficult to get back into the team. Wolves has not only got a relatively new coach but signed a number of new players in January. With Wolves improving and those new signings settling in, Hwang's absence has come at a bad time and he is not only going to have to work hard to return to full fitness but also to prove to the coach that he deserves to play.
Such is life in soccer. A move elsewhere may be the best option for now. But that cannot happen now as the January transfer window, the only time in the middle of the season when players can sign for new clubs has closed, meaning that any new development will have to wait until the summer.
Recently, Hwang was linked to a move to another English Premier League club Leeds United. But it is hard to say if the interest from the Yorkshire club will still be there as it recently fired coach Jesse Marsch ― who was Hwang's boss in Austria with Red Bull Salzburg ― and has yet to appoint a new one.
For now, Hwang needs to focus on getting back to top condition but he and his agent should also start thinking about next season. If it is not going to be with Wolves then other options should be explored.