Jesse Lingard has been told that he can be a trailblazer for future transfers, with the ex-Manchester United star making an “impact” in South Korea.
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Ex-England international moved to Asia in 2024Already captain at FC SeoulPlaying with a smile again & inspiring othersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Having spent just one season with Nottingham Forest after leaving Old Trafford as a free agent in the summer of 2022, Lingard found himself without a club for several months and wondering in which direction his professional career would be heading.
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He eventually opted to step well outside of his comfort zone when jetting to the Far East in February 2024. Lingard has received ‘rock star’ treatment in Asia, while quickly becoming captain at FC Seoul, and is being backed to pave the way for other household names to tread a similar path from the Premier League and across Europe.
WHAT GUS POYET SAID
Ex-Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Gus Poyet, who is now coach of K League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors – speaking in association with – told GOAL when asked about Lingard becoming a trendsetter: “I hope so. One of the things we want to do is to try and make an impact – as a player, he is doing that.
“Coaching is tough. We want to help South Korean football in any way. There is no better way than expressing yourself and winning – that’s the main point. I think it’s a very interesting league.
“I just started and I see there is great potential. The typical Korean player is very good technically. Sometimes coming from outside you analyse and try to change other things because you know that quality is there.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Poyet went on to say, with Lingard helping to raise the profile of Korean football: “Depending on the impact, I think other people will come.
“For me it’s difficult because I’m the only foreign manager. There are 12 teams, 11 Koreans and me. It’s a big responsibility. I like that. I don’t understand football without responsibility and pressure. We will see if we can help them.”
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