"Can't be sent out as a starter".
Wolverhampton lost 2-3 to Brighton in the third round of the 2024-2025 English Football League Cup at Amex Stadium in Brighton, England on the 19th (dlgk Korean time).
The defeat left Wolverhampton unable to advance to the fourth round.
Wolverhampton started rotation in large numbers. Instead of Sam Johnstone, who was selected as the main goalkeeper of this season, Jose started the game, while Gonzalo Guedes, Pablo Sarabia and Rodrigo Gomes started the game. Hwang Hee-chan was also included in the starting list.
Hwang Hee-chan was also silent on this day. Hwang Hee-chan was playing as a substitute for the last two consecutive league games as he suffered from no goals after the opening.
Hwang Hee-chan was replaced by Matheus Cunha without scoring a goal and help on the day.
According to the soccer statistics site Footmob, Hwang Hee-chan recorded only 21 ball touches, leaving figures such as one shot, zero chance creation, 93% (14/15), one big missed opportunity, 50% (1/2), one pass to the offensive area, one interception, two defensive actions, and 33% (1/3) of ground ball competition.
Although he has been on the ground for quite a long time, it can be interpreted that he failed to make threatening movements because he failed to create opportunities as a striker.
Hwang has yet to score goals and help this season. He has played six official matches. The mood is different from that of last season when he made three goals in six league matches, which gave him a good start.
Wolverhampton, who scored the first goal in the 14th minute of the first half, lost an additional point to Simon Adingra in the 31st minute of the first half.
Wolverhampton announced the pursuit with Gonzalo Guedes' comeback goal in the 44th minute of the first half, but he dedicated the net to Ferdinand Cardioglu in the 40th minute of the second half.
Thomas Doyle's goal was scored in second-half stoppage time at Wolverhampton, but it was not enough to turn the game around.
"Hwang Hee-chan had a hard time against Brighton," Molineux News said after the game. "Hwang Hee-chan, who O'Neill trusted last season, is struggling early this season. There was little presence on the ground on this day. According to the statistics site SofaScore, Hwang Hee-chan recorded only 21 touches, the fewest among Wolverhampton starters. For reference, Nelsson Semedu criticized Hwang Hee-chan's play with objective data, saying, "Even though he played for 26 minutes, he recorded the same number of touches as Hwang Hee-chan's 71st minute game time."
"Hwang Hee-chan's only shot was off the goal," he said. "With this form, Hwang Hee-chan cannot start the game. He is considered one of the underperforming players in the current team. Compared to the last season, he has not shown any threat at all."
Hwang Hee-chan has been playing mostly in different positions from last season. Hwang Hee-chan played mostly on the left or front line, working with Matheus Cunha and Pedro Netu in the 2023-2024 season.
However, Wolverhampton brought forward front-line striker Larsen on loan. After Larsen's arrival, he is in charge of the front line and Hwang Hee-chan is mainly playing on the right. Hwang Hee-chan has to be competitive on the right, but he has not yet adapted.
Criticism continued locally, even raising the hypothesis that Hwang Hee-chan could leave Wolverhampton in January.
The Athletic said, "Hwang Hee-chan is a key player who had the most successful season for Wolverhampton last season. He has scored 13 goals in all official matches, but has yet to score in the league this season and was excluded from the starting lineup due to his absence from the bench. We received many chances last night, but the game went in the opposite direction. It was especially disappointing for Hwang to have only 21 cheek touches and one shot, the fewest among the starting players." 안전놀이터