Under-22 players (U-22) are still a variable.

In the 2023 season, the K-League also applies a local rule that combines ‘U-22 mandatory input’ and ‘replacement card’. From last season, five replacement cards were possible only when two or more U-22 players started. If only one player participated, another one had to be put in as a substitute for the fifth inning, and the replacement was three innings when the 22-year-old did not participate.

As a result, various operating methods have emerged to suit each team. Teams with many young players who can be put into the game have secured replacement cards as the players grow. On the other hand, the team where the situation was not easy put in a player under the age of 22 as a starter and replaced it with a main player early in the first half.

While the controversy over ‘fairness’ is still ongoing, there is a possibility that the 22-year-old player will become a variable in the ranking fight as regulations are applied this season as well. An official from the soccer world also said, “Stability is an important factor in team management. It’s clear that having a clear under-22 player is a big help to the team.”

# U-22 restaurant, FC Seoul writes ‘Choose’

FC Seoul is a typical ’22-year-old restaurant’. He developed the players of Osan High School, a youth under the club, and steadily promoted them to the first team. There are 22-year-old players in all positions. The goalkeeper is Baek Jong-beom (21) and the defense is Lee Tae-seok (20) and Lee Han-beom (20). Lee Han-beom has already taken the starting position, and Lee Tae-seok also played 27 games last season.

Kim Shin-jin (21), who plays both the front line and midfielder, Kang Seong-jin (19), and Kwon Seong-yoon (21) also add strength from the side. In particular, Kang Seong-jin played 34 games last season, scoring one goal and four assists. He is also expected to become a key striker in the U-20 national team led by coach Kim Eun-joong.

# Gangwon FC · Daegu FC “We have trustworthy man”

There are not many options, but there are teams that have clear cards. Gangwon FC has Yang Hyeon-jun (20), the best rookie of last season. Yang Hyeon-jun took the starting position with coach Choi Yong-soo’s eye stamp, recording 8 goals and 4 assists in 36 league matches. In a match between Tottenham Hotspur and Team K-League, he made his name known for his fantastic dribbling and won the Young Player Award. Centering on Yang Hyeon-jun, Hong Seok-hwan (19) and Lee Seung-won (19) are looking for opportunities.

In Daegu FC, Lee Jin-yong (21) and Hwang Jae-won (20) will be the starting pitchers this season as well. Lee Jin-yong and Hwang Jae-won played in 33 and 34 games, respectively, last season. Daegu is the only K-League 1 team to fill all of the foreign quota ‘5+1’. In particular, all five Brazilians Cezinha, Edgar, Pena, Serato, and Baselus focus on attack스포츠토토, . The roles of defensive midfielder Lee Jin-yong and right sideback Hwang Jae-won have become more important.

# Jeonbuk Hyundai·Ulsan Hyundai·Suwon Samsung “Who should use…”

The two teams of ‘Hyundai Family’ need to make a choice. First, Ulsan Hyundai’s Cho Hyeon-tae (21) and Kang Yoon-gu (20) returned after renting from Bucheon FC and Busan I-Park, respectively. Left fullback Cho Hyeon-taek was also selected for the under-23 national team (U-23) led by head coach Hwang Seon-hong thanks to his kicking and attacking skills. However, the defensive power needs to be verified. Kang Yun-gu played 7 games in the 2021 season, but did not perform as well as expected. A decision is needed among candidates such as Jang Si-young (20).

Jeonbuk Hyundai recruited Oh Jae-hyeok (20) from Bucheon to solve the 22-year-old problem. At the same time, it was a card to fill the void in the midfield created by Kim Jin-kyu’s enlistment. However, he underwent surgery for osteitis pubis during the training camp in Spain and is expected to return in two to three months. While Kang Sang-yoon (18), who played 15 games last season, is likely to play, the role of goalkeeper Kim Jeong-hoon (21) is also needed.

Suwon Samsung had a big worry ahead of this season. Suwon was a 22-year-old team with no worries, but a gap was created when Oh Hyun-gyu (21), the main striker and the best card player, left for Celtic. Kang Hyun-mook (21) also enlisted in the Gimcheon Sangmu. Lee Sang-min (18) and Park Hee-joon (21), who signed semi-professional contracts last season, must find a solution.