Despite being popular with the Manchester United faithful, celebrated work-horse Park Ji-Sung is heading for the exit door at Old Trafford after Sir Alex Ferguson chose not to offer him a new contract. The 31 year old South Korean’s contract runs out in the summer of 2013, but is expected to leave Manchester United this summer, with his manager determined to cash in on his exit as opposed to letting him go for free next summer. Park’s disappointing performance at the Etihad on Monday could well be his last for the Red half of Manchester, but many fans will be sad to see the back of a player who has more than proved his worth at Old Trafford.
Monday’s was Park’s first start for over 3 months, in a season which has seen him feature less than normal as a result of injuries and the continued emergence of the likes of Ashley Young and Nani. But while he looked off the pace and failed to make a significant impact against City, it must be acknowledged how difficult a task Park faced in settling in seamlessly to the biggest stage of them all after such a lengthy absence. While Park has become renowned for being the man Ferguson turns to in the biggest game as a result of his commendable consistency and work-rate, it appears that in the modern game, Park is not the only one realising that hard work is no longer enough to warrant a place in one of the top sides.
While it is probably unfair to brand Park as someone who only brings hard work to the table, it is fair to say that he doesn’t possess the quality of many of his teammates, something which seems to have contributed to his slipping down the pecking order. Dirk Kuyt, Anderson and Salomon Kalou have experienced similar treatment this season, and are all expected to become surplus to requirements come June, with the former lining up a potential return to Feyenoord. Is this all a coincidence or does it reflect a changing ethos within the English game?
Until recently, it appeared that honest players who worked hard were valued as highly as their more skillful counterparts. Indeed, as recently as 2005, the league was renowned for it’s hard-men such as Viera and Keane, rather than those who possessed exceptional skill. But in recent years, Viera-style midfielders such as Yaya Toure are, while still very effective, at a premium. In contrast, more diminutive, more skillful players appear to be more sought after, with players such as David Silva, Luka Modric and Juan Mata being seen as the focal points of teams in what many still consider the best league in the world. Furthermore, is it a coincidence that Scholes himself has become a lot more appreciated in recent years, culminating in his return to the Manchester United side, or is this simply another example of the apparent change in attitude towards smaller players? Ball-playing midfielders as opposed to ball-winning midfielders seem to be the order of the day.
This change in focus appears to have spread to all areas of the pitch however, with footballing defenders, such as Daniel Agger, David Luiz and Thomas Vermaelen, on the rise. Meanwhile, strong, physical forwards like Andy Carroll are considered a throw-back to the “Old Number Nine” with slippery strikers like Suarez personifying the modern day striker. For me, the fate of Park and others like him is symbolic of a change in our game. There appears to have been a shift in focus from physicality to skill, suggesting the idea that the English game is too physical for the likes of Messi, to be a complete fallacy.
While many will be sad to see the back of the likes of Park and Kuyt, gone are the days when hard work and brawn, alongside competency on the ball, was enough to succeed in the Premier League, a harsh lesson these players are having to learn.
What are your thoughts? Is this just a phase or have attitudes really changed?
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Great article. Anyone who said Park was bought just for revenue in Asia at the time of his arrival has been easily been proven wrong, but I have to agree partly with this. He has always had a tactical side to his game but that is starting to wain away. Although I would keep Park for one or two more years, because there are some fantastic prospects comig through the academy who can make the transition for Park’s departure seamless
Well they don’t want to offer him a contract so he’d either leave this summer, or the next. As i said, it’s likely Ferguson will want to get some revenue for him. The fact he doesnt want to offer him a contract suggests he isnt part of United’s plans, so why keep him if they aren’t going to use him. They should make money and sell him than waste it by keeping him in the reserves, don’t you agree?
But Park is one of those players who does not mind one bit about being a ‘bench player’. So to be honest I wouldn’t mind selling him or keeping him for another year. Send petrucci, Tunniclife on loan and when they’re ready for the 2013/14 season, sell Park?….
Oh right, you and him close are you? im pretty sure he wouldn’t like to sit on the bench, given he knows he isnt going to feature. United have a big enough squad to cope without him