K League 2023 Top Half Team Preview
Best Xi, depth chart, transfers, predictions and more - ahead of the new season
The new K League season is upon us and I’d like to share my thoughts, predictions and analysis on each team. It’s a long read but should give you all the insight you need to start the new season. Top 6 teams are previewed here.
Ulsan Hyundai - Prediction 1st
Best Xi on paper
Depth Chart
Prediction
Think Ulsan's strength in depth is even better than last year with Ludwigson and Cho Hyun-taek two additions that show that. Bojanic comes highly-rated from Hammarby as well, with Joo Min-kyu an upgrade on Leonardo. Think winning the league last year after 17 years will release the demons and predict them to retain it this year.
Best Transfer
Joo Min-kyu will be affected by the competition from Adam Martin here of course but still expect him to hit double figures and play 40% of the games from the start. But all additions look good - looking forward to seeing Esaka, Bojanic and Ludwigson. Kim Min-hyeok was quite useful coming off the bench mostly in the Atlantic Cup preseason tournament that the club played in Portugal, so all good signings.
Most Improved Player
Hard to choose from a title winning team. Lee Myung-jae may get more game time than last season while Yun Il-lok not playing much is such a tragedy - deserves more games. Eom Won-sang may not be the sacrificial lamb for the U22 player anymore so chance he's scores are even better.
Player Who Might Drop Off
Joo Min-kyu most likely. Kim Tae-hwan I expect to play less while you have to put Seol Yeong-woo in that category too due to competition and the U22 situation at the club.
U22 Player(s) - Necessary to get 5 subs in K League
Cho Hyun-taek said he is expecting 20 games or so - would be surprised if it's not more. Hwang Jae-hwan (AM) still qualifies while Kang Yun-gu (CM) returning form Busan could start, as he did against FC Midtjylland in the Atlantic cup before he was subbed off early in the 1st half. So expecting Hwang and Kang to come off early if they start so Bojanic/Lee Gyu-sung and Esaka could be used more often from the bench, while Cho gets regular player time.
Formation + Style
Generally set up in 4-2-3-1 and play an attacking brand of possession football building up from the back and counter pressing when losing possession high up the pitch. Look out for their signature move of a clipped ball from left to right over the top to speed merchant Eom Won-sang. Lots of attacking variation in the attack with full backs important in this phase and Vako’s dribbling to unlock deep defensive blocks.
Caveat
Play ACL football in August and pressure of being defending champion is hard to judge. Rotation outside of the back 5 make them a hard team to predict but still the best team in the league. Look for a Jang Hyun-soo transfer in the summer which could force a system change to a back 3 with an almighty backline of Kim Young-gwon, Jang Hyun-soo and Jung Seung-hyun.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - 2nd
Best Xi on paper
Depth Chart
Prediction
They will be there or there abouts at the end of the season as they always are. Quite a busy transfer period with the team looking younger and fresher but not sure that translates into winning the league title back. Think 2nd is more realistic with Cho Gue-sung leaving in the Summer and question marks over the goalkeeper Jeong Min-ki.
Best Transfer
Easy one here - if they get a Lee Dong-jun who is fit then they've brought in a player who can dominate defences in the K League. Quick and agile with a keen eye for goal. Creates good balance in attack and has played with Kim Moon-hwan before. Jeong Tae-wook should improve the defence while others are pretty good for the team's depth as well. Rafael Silva and Andre Luis have experience playing in Asia and K League respectively but expect them to be eased in.
Most Improved Player
Think Jeong Tae-wook will improve with more possession and better players around him, but still needs to work on that finishing - should be getting at least five goals a season based on his chances - will have more competition to get into Xi but think he should play. Personally think Song Min-kyu is due a good year and will be driven by a disappointing 2022.
Player Who Might Drop Off
Hong Jeong-ho remains a concern. Played a decent chunk of preseason in Spain and looked fit enough but may have to manage game time at the start of the season and with midweek fixtures. Gustavo - I don't think will get as much game time but has good potential as a late sub to be impactful. Kim Moon-hwan will likely have to share game time with Lee Yong as the veteran plays his final season (In my opinion) but still delivers enough quality to warrant a starting place most weeks but think they rotate.
U22 Player(s)
Always an issue it seems. Think the easy fix is Kim Jeong-hoon (GK) but seems likely Jeong Min-ki gets a chance. Don't think Jeong lasts the whole season though and he looked much less capable with his feet than Kim did in the friendles. Kang Sang-yun will play more but may be away on international duty at times. Oh Jae-hyuk has been brought in and it seems the likely starter in midfield with a good reputation at youth level and a decent record at Bucheon in K2 but needs to make a big step up.
Formation + Style
Been playing 4-3-3 more often than not with a high press being deployed as the coach looks to win over critics who say their football is boring. They at times have been quite effective in this shape (See Ulsan 1-3 Jeonbuk) but at other times quite exposed and definitely feels like it was hastily put together last season. (see Incheon 3-1 Jeonbuk)
Caveat
New foreign signings are expected in the attacking third and a Cho Gue-sung replacement will also have to be signed in the summer. ACL football in August and a side with a large number of new signings may find it hard to gel. Expect a manager sacking if it doesn't go well with Di Matteo (yes you heard me) waiting in the wings.
Incheon United - 3rd
Best Xi on paper
Depth Chart
Prediction
Incheon’s transfer business has been first class and the morale within the squad is high after last season’s superb season. Think things are looking good on and off the pitch with their new James Bond evil bad guy lair. Although, it will be challenging I think the drive they get from Shin Jin-ho and Gerso will push them even further this year to go one better than last year’s 4th.
Best Transfer
You would say Shin Jin-ho but the Gerso signing on top of that is excellent as well. Two clear starters and two that will improve the quality of the team on the ball.
Most Improved Player
Oh Ban-suk is the likely the third centre back in the back 3 and not only improves on an already solid back 3 but seems to be fit again to play the season. Yeo Reum will also return from injury but it’s hard to win a place in that midfield. Jeong Dong-yun returning from the army could win the RWB spot as well, which looks up for grabs.
Player Who Might Drop Off
The new signings are likely to cause some players to lose their place with Kim Do-hyuk possibly even moving to left wing back. Hong Si-hoo and Kim Bo-sub will have to fight for their place but still have a good chance of starting and could even improve their scores with the talent improving around them
U22 Player(s)
Min Kyeong-hyeon seems most likely to fill in at one of the wingback positions, but Kim Min-seog will look to build on his fabulous end to the season and could start as part of a front three. They usually don’t get subbed off early as well.
Formation + Style
3-4-3 - Will we see a change with the additions of Gerso and Shin Jin-ho? We already saw and more sophisticated build up with Hernandes dropping off and linking play, but now Incheon have better players on the ball and in possession so you would think they combine their quick counter with more time on the ball and creativity in the final third.
Caveat
Play ACL football in August for the first time so will have to balance that with the league. Expectations are higher as well.
FC Seoul - 4th
Best Xi on paper
Depth Chart
Prediction
Three disappointing seasons in a row for FC Seoul. Expectations are high this time and the manager under pressure to deliver. On paper the squad is strong while the football style is one that I think can be successful but the team had a real issue with consistency and injuries last season if all goes to plan a high finish is not out of reach.
Best Transfer
Prior to Hwang Eui-jo's arrival I would've said Willyan who has done well for Gwangju, Daejeon and Gyeongnam in the K League, but with Hwang there is only one player to be talking about. Here for only 6 months but capable of getting into double figures with assists as well. Park Soo-il is a decent one too though he is expected to leave for the army next year.
Most Improved Player
Na Sang-ho will hope to improve his form and with national teammate Hwang to bounce balls off and into - I think he will have a good chance of improving on that. Ji Dong-won, Go Yo-han, Han Seung-gyu and of course Lee Han-beom return from injury so will be in that improving column as well.
Player Who Might Drop Off
Iljutchenko will have to fight for his place this season with Hwang's arrival so will have to be patient and perform off the bench most likely in the first half of the season. Kang Seong-jin will spend some time with the KNT youth teams. Ki Sung-yueng may have to manage his game time more but played a remarkable number of games last year.
U22 Player(s)
Lee Han-beom and Kang Seong-jin the two obvious candidates and not an issue with early subs. Goalkeeper Paek Jun-beom, left back Lee Tae-seok and utility man Kim Shin-jin may get game time as well
Formation + Style
The manager chopped and changed formation last season when things weren’t going well but is likely to go with his preferred 4-2-3-1 though they do have options to play 4-3-3. Their style is more defined and heavily involves possession based build up with players rotating positions and full backs inverting. Their returning players from injuries do create a few selection headaches with Osmar and Ki Sung-yueng possible midfield partners in DM making the full backs more like to advance down the flank rather than invert. This move would also give them more pace at centre back and allow them to play their high line more effectively.
Caveat
If the football doesn't work then the manager will lose his job quickly and could be a lost season if they aren't ready with a replacement who could be high profile.
Jeju United - 5th
Best Xi on paper
Depth Chart
Prediction
Winter of change at Jeju that on an individual level losing Gerso, Yoon Bit-garam and Joo Min-kyu looks awful but as a collective the squad looks good enough for a top half. Depth a slight concern in CM and forwards but I think they will finish 5th.
Best Transfer
Reis is someone who will pull the strings in attack to a greater extent than Gerso and seems to be settling in well with Yuri also looking a decent acquisition. The two new centre backs Lim Chae-min and Yeon Je-won played under the coach at Seongnam so should help them improve them at the back.
Most Improved Player
Ahn Hyun-beom ended the season injured and always has the ability to get forward and create chances for others and himself. The law of averages would suggest he gets more goals and assists this season. Koo ja-cheol looks fit for the first time and will be sure to get more starts and game time - he is someone who can fit into centre midfield or the attack so fixes that depth issue to an extent
Player Who Might Drop Off
Jeong Woo-jae has apparently fell out with the coach, another one, so could be moved on with Lee Ju-yong from Jeonbuk incoming but even he could be on the bench for the U22 player while Kim Bong-soo will be behind Lee Chang-min initially until he goes to the army. Seo Jin-su is no longer u22 so may start less.
U22 Player(s)
New rookie Kim Dae-Hwan was getting games in preseason and could start LM. Han Jong-mu did well last season in CM and could start more games. Expect the coach to make some early subs in the first half initially until he works out the best fit for the U22 position
Formation + Style
Jeju also changed from 3-4-3 to 4-3-3 last season in order to fix their defensive woes. The recruitment of Lim Chae-min looks like they are returning to 3-4-3 but it’s unclear how fit he will be for the start of the season given he missed most of preseason so the 4-3-3 could be the choice on opening day. Jeju look best when pressing high up the pitch with Kim Dong-jun the best sweeper keeper in the league and capable of making up for the team’s lack of pace in the backline. They rely heavily on their wingbacks for creating chances with angled balls behind opposition a common tactical ploy.
Caveat
Lots of changes so the team may need time to gel. Lee Chang-min could leave between April and June so the team will have one less game changer. Manager seems to be constantly falling out with players with A League in form striker Oskar Zawada recently being critical of him during his time in the K League.
Pohang Steelers - 6th
Best Xi on paper
Depth Chart
Prediction
Pohang without Shin Jin-ho won't be at the same level as last season but should still have enough about them to avoid relegation and I have them squeezing into the top 6 - wouldn't surprise me if they had a good campaign in the Asian Champions League though - 6th
Best Transfer
Zeca will lead the line here with no competition for his place. Pohang haven't had an out-and-out striker who performed for a while so that would be an area they improve and Zeca could deliver. Kim Jong-woo has the potential to be a key player as well and could take set pieces.
Most Improved Player
Park Seung-wook is a solid player and his injuries will be behind him hopefully. Lee Seung-mo will likely start the season ahead of Kim Jong-woo and could hold onto his place if he plays well but he may be moved to attack if Zeca gets injured which won't be good for him. Kim Seung-dae has been given more responsibility with the captaincy and should get plenty of opportunites thoroughout the season but not likely to start every week.
Player Who Might Drop Off
Park Chan-yong has lost his place and is expected to be off to the army soon enough as well. Wanderson put in some good performances last season but I'm not sure of his position in the team - his flexibility should help but I'm not convinced about his defensive abilities at left back.
U22 Player(s)
Ko Young-jun will fill this role every game while the 2nd U22 will have to come from the bench. Lee Gyu-baek is highly rated from youth football.
Formation + Style
4-2-3-1 in possession with a 4-4-2 common out of it. The side are the biggest threat on the counter so don’t mind dropping off and allowing opposition possession. On the ball a lot of their play went through Shin Jin-ho so think they will need adapt a new form of build up.
Caveat
No Shin Jin-ho no party so the team will likely start slowly to life without him but should pick up necessary points to avoid the bottom six.