The legacy of 'Korean Premier League players,' which began with Park Ji-sung in 2005, is at risk of ending after 21 years. With just ten days until the start of the English Premier League (EPL) season, no South Korean player has confirmed participation in the first team.
The 2026-2027 EPL season will kick off on August 22 at 4 a.m. KST with a match between Arsenal and Coventry City.
Over the past 21 years, Korean Premier League players have kept fans on the edge of their seats. Starting with Park Ji-sung's entry into Manchester United, a total of 15 players, including Lee Young-pyo, Seol Ki-hyeon, Lee Chung-yong, Ki Sung-yueng, Son Heung-min, and Hwang Hee-chan, have made significant contributions on the English stage.
Notably, Son Heung-min has spent a decade at Tottenham Hotspur, becoming the first Asian player to win the EPL Golden Boot, elevating the status of Korean football.
However, the departure of both Son and Hwang from the EPL has created a significant void. Son transferred to Major League Soccer's LAFC last year, while Hwang moved due to Wolverhampton Wanderers' relegation to the Championship.
Yang Min-hyeok, a promising player from Tottenham, has also faced setbacks. After loan spells at Queens Park Rangers, Portsmouth, and Coventry City, he aimed to make an impact during preseason with Tottenham but has now been loaned to Belgian club Westerlo.
Despite the challenges, there is still hope for South Korean players in the EPL. Newcastle United's 2007-born winger Park Seung-soo is seen as a potential candidate. He was recently highlighted by The Guardian as a key prospect for Newcastle.
The arrival of 38-year-old head coach Matthias Jaissle has opened up new competition for starting positions. However, Park is expected to gain experience with the under-21 team this season, making immediate first-team action unlikely.
Central defender Kim Ji-soo, who returned to Brentford after a loan at Kaiserslautern in Germany, is also vying for a first-team spot. He played a full match against Stade Rennais in a closed-door friendly on August 9. However, he faces tough competition from established defenders like Nathan Collins and Christopher Ajer, and the club is considering another loan for his long-term development.
While the opportunities for South Korean players have diminished, the number of Japanese players in the EPL has noticeably increased. Last season, four Japanese players, including Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Wataru Endo (Liverpool), participated, and this season could see that number more than double.
New additions include Daizen Maeda (Ipswich Town) and Hidemasa Morita (Hull City), along with Tatsuki Sakamoto, a key player in Coventry City's promotion. On August 8, Takehiro Tomiyasu joined Crystal Palace. Additionally, players like Kaishu Sano (Mainz) and Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord) are also being considered by multiple EPL clubs, raising the possibility of up to ten Japanese players competing in the Premier League.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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