Jesse to the rescue: FC Seoul look to bring back glory days with a little star power

Football

Published: 21 Feb. 2024, 15:35 Updated: 21 Feb. 2024, 16:13

Jesse to the rescue: FC Seoul look to bring back glory days with a little star power

FC Seoul players celebrate after winning a K League 1 match against Suwon FC at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on July 12, 2023. [NEWS1]

FC Seoul’s bid to cut their long trophy drought will continue in the upcoming 2024 K League 1 season with one huge change — Jesse Lingard.

FC Seoul had an unimpressive run in the 2023 K League 1, finishing in seventh-place on the 12-team table after struggling in the second half of the campaign.

The capital side need to change something if they want to recreate their glory days in the 2010s, when they won the league three times in 2010, 2013 and 2016.

There have been some big moves since the end of the 2023 season, including signing manager Kim Gi-dong from fellow K League 1 team Pohang Steelers in December last year.

As Kim spent a successful season with the Steelers last year — winning the 2023 Korean FA Cup and finishing the league as runners-up — he may be able to bring his magic touch to FC Seoul this season.

A notable and perhaps surprising addition to the squad is former Manchester United midfielder Lingard, who joined the team on Feb. 8 on a two-year deal with a one-year option.

Jesse Lingard poses for a photo during a press conference at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on Feb. 8. [NEWS1]

He will likely be expected to fill in the vacancy left by winger Na Sang-ho — who left to join Japanese team Machida Zelvia in January — who carried FC Seoul’s attack last season with 12 goals in 38 league fixtures.

Despite finishing the league in seventh-place, FC Seoul’s attack led by Na was notable with the team scoring the most goals, alongside 2023 league champions Ulsan Hyundai, now called Ulsan HD, at 63, in 38 league fixtures.

The addition of the English midfielder could also attract more football fans to FC Seoul games, as he drew great attention when he arrived at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on Feb. 5, with hundreds of fans waiting to see him in person.

FC Seoul also extended their contract with veteran midfielder Ki Sung-yueng in January.

Despite being 34 years old, now 35, Ki was one of the team’s key midfielders last season, playing 35 matches and recording two goals and four assists.

The club's midfield could be more robust next season with the addition of Ryu Jae-moon.

New defenders Rebin Sulaka and Choi Jun also add more depth to the squad in a crucial position — the large number of goals scored and low position achieved indicates that defense is clearly a major issue for the capital side.

Sulaka, 31, is an Iraqi national team regular pick who competed at the delayed 2023 Asian Cup that ended this month. With strong physique — standing at 6 foot 4 — and ample experience from various leagues around the world, he could improve FC Seoul’s defensive factors in aerial duel.

As for Choi, maintaining his form from last season will be a key. He was a key member of K League 2 team Busan IPark last season, earning a place in the league’s best XI and allowing his team to finish as league runners-up. The club still failed to earn promotion to the first division with a loss to K League 1 side Suwon FC in the promotion-and-relegation playoffs.

Whether FC Seoul will make more signings during the winter transfer window that runs through March 8 remains to be seen.

FC Seoul will play their first league math on March 2 against Gwangju FC in Gwangju.

The regular season will run from March 1 through Oct. 6, before the teams split into two groups for the final leg of the season. The top six teams will then compete for the league title, while the bottom six will fight to avoid relegation in five remaining league games.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]