The Five Best Players From South Korea To Play In The Premier League

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2 years ago

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South Korea barely registered as a footballing nation before they co-hosted the World Cup all the way back in 2002.

That tournament, however, produced a number of stars, and also inspired a new generation of players, who went on to make careers for themselves in the Premier League.

Whilst only a handful managed to become regular starters for clubs in England, a few have gone on to be household names.

Press the next page as we list the five best players from South Korea to play in the top flight of English football.

5) Lee Young-pyo (Tottenham)

After impressing for South Korea at the 2002 World Cup, Guus Hiddink brought the defender to Europe, where he played a big role in helping PSV Eindhoven to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2005.

Lee joined Tottenham the same year and spent three years as the club’s first-choice left-back before he was sold to Borussia Dortmund. He ended his career playing in Saudi Arabia and the United States.

4) Lee Chung-yong (Bolton & Crsytal Palace)

The winger spent six seasons with Bolton, three in the Premier League and another three in the Championship. He was a consistent performer before he joined Crystal Palace in the 2015 January transfer window.

Lee never really established himself at Selhurst Park and he was released in 2018, having been used pretty sparingly. He then joined German club Bochum before moving back to South Korea a couple of years later.

3) Ki Sung-yueng (Swansea, Sunderland & Newcastle)

The midfielder made his reputation playing for Celtic, and Swansea had to pay a club-record £6m to lure him to the Liberty Stadium in 2012. After a promising first season, though, manager Michael Laudrup surprisingly loaned him out to Sunderland.

Ki’s return a year later led to him being reinstated to the first team by new head coach Garry Monk. He remained with the Swans until 2018 when he made the free transfer switch to Newcastle. Things didn’t work out at the Magpies, and he was released after eighteen months. He is now playing for FC Seoul.

2) Park Ji-sung (Manchester United)

After making his mark for PSV Eindhoven over two seasons, Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford for £4m in 2005. Over the next seven years, he would become a key squad player for United.

Park’s work rate was widely praised but his ability on the ball was often underrated. During his time at United, he won 13 major trophies, including four league titles.

1) Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

The forward has scored 83 goals in 223 Premier League appearances, making him the most prolific Asian player in the competition’s history.

During his six and a half years with Spurs, Son has struck up a lethal partnership with Harry Kane up front and he is widely regarded as one of the best wingers in the English top flight.