Midfielder Lee Chung-yong has built a solid career during his three-year stint at Bolton Wanderers, recording nine goals and 16 assists. / AP-Yonhap

By Jung Min-ho

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Lee Chung-yong is at a crossroads following his team’s relegation from the English Premier League.

Wanderers manager Owen Coyle said in an interview with local daily The Bolton News on Wednesday that the team will continue to seek uncharted talent to improve its performance, keeping the current good players.

“The relationship we’ve got with the top clubs is there for everyone to see. You can see that with the quality of player we’ve been able to get in on loan, and that will continue to be the case,” Coyle said. “If the right ones become available then we’ll do everything we can to bring them to the football club. We’ve got Stuart Hoden, Lee Chung-yong and Tyrone Mears to come back into that as well, never mind that we’re looking to add one or two to the team.”

Since Coyle expressed a will to keep valuable talent at the club, including Lee, many fans are keeping their eye on what will happen. However, regarding the fact that Lee has stayed in the team despite reports of interest by other clubs in the past, there is a high chance that he will stay and try to help his side win promotion from the Championship. British newspaper The Daily Star reported in 2010 after the South African World Cup that Liverpool were interested in Lee.

Bolton had a rough season without Lee, one of their key players, who received a number of honors in his rookie season, including Bolton player of the year and best newcomer awards. He made his first appearance for the Trotters on Aug. 15, 2009. Unfortunately, however, the 23-year-old was sidelined for nine months, missing virtually the whole season, after breaking his leg in a preseason friendly. Although he came on as a substitute, both against West Bromwich Albion and his side’s last game, a 2-2 draw at Stoke City on May 13, he was unable to do anything to keep Bolton up.

On Lee’s plans for next season, his agency TI Sports declined to reveal anything on that matter, saying “Because there is nothing certain, we cannot give any information about his plans at this point.”

Lee is currently in Thailand to participate in Asian Dream Cup 2012, sponsored by Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung’s JS Foundation.