Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung, left, is considered a lock for a starting job in the new season, while Lee Chung-yong has to battle for playing time on Bolton Wanderers. / Korea Times File |
By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
If you are a football fan or you have a family member who's crazy for the sport, you may have a sleepless night this weekend as one of the world's biggest leagues stages its grand kick-off.
The English Premier League (EPL) begins Saturday afternoon (KST nighttime) with an opener between Chelsea and Hull City.
The European league should get more attention from Koreans with four locals, Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung, Fulham striker Seol Ki-hyeon, Wigan Athletic midfielder Cho Won-hee, and Lee Chung-yong, who will join Bolton Wanderers this weekend, signed to play in the 2009-10 season.
The big question this season will be if Manchester United can make it four consecutive Premiership titles. The Red Devils string of titles began in the 2006-07 season. United also won the Carling Cup and was runner-up to Barcelona FC in the UEFA Champions League.
Critics say it may not be easy for the club to keep pace with the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, sold to Spanish club Real Madrid for 80 million pounds (163 billion won, or $132 million). The club also lost striker Carlos Tevez to crosstown Manchester City and veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will miss about eight weeks due to a finger injury.
The club added striker Michael Owen to try to make up for the losses. The 30-year-old former England national team striker was impressive in the preseason signaling he is still in good condition.
Korean national team member Park may compete for the midfield position with Antonio Valencia of Ecuador, Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha of Portugal, better known as Nani, and Serbian Zoran Tosic. Park saw action in 25 of 38 games last season. The 28-year-old Suwon-native needs to prove his shooting ability and create chances for attackers if he hopes to earn more time on the pitch.
With a series of signings over the summer, Manchester City is expected to be a contender. The club added Tevez and former Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo.
English daily newspaper The Guardian is predicting that Man City will break into the top four, which has been monopolized by Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool in recent years.
At Fulham, Korean striker Seol impressed fans when he scored a goal to seal his team's victory in a UEFA Europa League match with FC Verta in Vilnius last month. The 30-year-old came to the club after completing a six-month loan to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, Wigan midfielder Cho knows he is fighting for his place at the club and has vowed to survive.
``I will do my best until my heart bursts out to play in the league,'' Cho said.
The former Suwon BlueWings member joined the club earlier this year, but played only once due to injury. The 26-year-old Seoul-native went to England on Thursday after playing for his nation in a friendly with Paraguay.
Former FC Seoul midfielder Lee Chung-yong said this season represents a new start for him.
``I feel like I'm entering elementary school. My goal is to play as many games as possible,'' he said.
shosta@koreatimes.co.kr
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[단독] 르노삼성, 본사 모델로 한국 공략
