When it comes to Asian players are we buying shirts or skills?

It’s no surprise that talent in the Eastern side of the globe is taken a bit more seriously now when mentioned in the transfer market. Various teams of reputable leagues in European football have benefited from the lack of knowledge and interest in the Asian continent, salvaging decent players for a bargain price.

3 South Korean players have cemented their positions in regular first team activity, with more stars from the country climbing up the pecking order of their respective clubs.

Most infamous for his never-ending work rate, Ji-Sung Park has quickly shed the claims of being a simple marketing tool for Manchester United. The former South Korea captain moved to the Theatre of Dreams for 4 million pounds in the closing months of 2004-2005 season. Most remembered for his successful campaign in the Champions League, he led PSV into the Semi-Finals, also successfully adding his name to the score sheet in a crucial game against AC Milan. Although failing to advance to the finals (3-3 aggregate) on away goals, he successfully placed his name in the list of nominee’s  for UEFA’s 2005 Best Forward, sitting besides Ronaldinho, Adriano, Samuel Eto’, and the likes of others. Since his transfer from the Dutch league, he has become not only a popular figure among his teammates, “Ji” has become an “un-sung hero” in the hearts of Manchester United fans.

Little was known about the thin framed South Korean before the announcement of his arrival to Reebok stadium. In 2008, Lee Chung Yong acquired 22 league match appearances for F.C. Seoul, appearing on the score sheet five times, and providing another 6. In the summer of 2009, Bolton Wanderers and F.C. Seoul agreed to a 3 year deal valued at 2.2 million pounds. Fast forward to September 26^th, where Lee scored his first Premier League goal against Birmingham City, which handed the Wanderers a good result in the beginning stages of the season. At the end of his first season, Lee won a triumvirate of awards including Bolton Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, and best newcomer awards. After the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he attracted the Red eyes of Merseyside, which Owen Coyle quickly declined. Proving time and time again as a consistent pillar to the Wanderer’s starting 11, “Chungy” went on to score the game winning header that put Bolton through to the FA Cup semi-finals.

The 6’2 midfielder from South Korea took some time to adapt to the physical demands of the Scottish Premier League, but now plays a crucial role in Neil Lennon’s game plans. Ki-Sung Yueng left a gap in F.C. Seoul’s midfield when agreeing with the Scottish club Celtic for a deal reported around 2.2 million pounds. Often referred as the “Ki (key)” to Celtic’s problems, he scored a cracking goal 25 yards out against St. Mirren for his first SPL goal. Neil Lennon has not hesitated in acknowledging his consistency, praising his passing range, the ability to score from wide out, as well being able to use both of his feet. Answering to his call, Ki scored the first goal in the Scottish Cup Final 2011 against Motherwell, where he was named Man of the Match. Ki has received the interest of other clubs looking to use his service. The likes of Tottenham, Blackburn, and several clubs from the Russian league have all inquired about his transfer status, and to no surprise were quickly turned down. Dubbing himself “Ki-rrard” after his idol Steven Gerrard of Liverpool, he’s quickly making him a name himself.

Three players combine for 221 total appearances their respective league games, and combine for 29 goals. Park is also the first ever Asian player to appear in the Champions League final, having been involved in three Champions League Finals in the last four years. The three players have easily become an un-expendable employee to their employing clubs, and the three first-team starters combine for a transfer fee of only 8.3 million pounds. Definitely not first or last, the Eastern side of the globe is easily becoming the emerging foreigners of European football.

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