Ki Sung-yueng @ Newcastle United FC 2018-2019 [R]

In Italy, a lazy passive ass can't play in midfield.

 

I don't think a "lazy passive ass" can play midfield anywhere.

The pace of play in Serie A still doesn't come close to the Prem. Not saying one league is better than the other.

 

That is debatable. While we know Ki for his prowess in the KNT, he is somewhat of a question mark elsewhere. He did ok at Swansea, he wasn't extraordinary.

 

Besides winning POTY

 

He was very good on loan at Sunderland as well. Really quality season under Poyet

 

The thing about Ki is that you have to actually do more than superficially watch the game (who scores, etc.) to be able to perceive his quality. One might be surprised to see someone who looks lazy and slow to learn that actual stats show that he is above average in total distance covered. His passing may seem just to be above average, but more careful viewing will reveal that he is actually outstanding, with a eye in creating real chances.

But most people want to see who scored and are noticing only things that seem more flashy. That's why he maybe more of a "question mark elsewhere". The blame is not on Ki, it's the "elsewhere" so called experts that are hardly experts.

 

I'm talking about in the context of the entire league, not just swansea. Had he been selected as the best XI in PL, it would be a different story.

 

Even Son's best season for Tottenham might not qualify for PL Best XI. I don't know where you're getting this insane benchmark from.

 

Might as well claim that since he was never a candidate for Ballon d'Or, that he isn't very good.

 

Ki is your average run of the mill Premier Leaguer (at best). Props to him he carved out a long career thus far in the league and to his longevity. But he does not stand out in his position or as one of the best midfielders in the league. He ain't no Kante.. This talk of Best XI in his best season is nonsense lol.

 

All im saying is that while Ki has incredible talent, he's just one of many people in the talent pool who are just as good. The guy I was quoting said the "fans and managers know who he is". That may be true for a small minority, but the fact of the matter is that not a lot of people are familiar with Ki.

In contrast, Son is widely recognized throughout the football community. He's won PL of the month a couple of times, was top FA cup scorer, and he's a highly coveted FUT card (as dumb as that sounds, it's still recognition). Of course, Son gets more credit cause he scores goals and is more flashy. Ki's abilities, on the other hand, are less flashy and less prone for recognition.

 

Except he was called out by Mourinho as being key to his team, was noticeable engine behind a cup finals appearance with Sunderland, is a NT captain and so on which are all things that any reasonable manager should notice given Ki playing in PL.

Top leagues outside of PL are filled with PL exports of far lesser talent than Ki, many with lots more wear on the tires.

 

Sunderland was ages ago tho.

 

Starting vs Burnley

 

Newcastle up by two goals already in the first 25 minutes.

 

GK mistake...2-1

 

newcastle can use a keeper like cho hyunwoo in their squad

 

How is ksy looking?

 

Wow, what a miss. I could have scored that one, probably. LOL.

 

Ki was very tidy. A lot of the play going through him. Three wins in a row with Ki playing.

 

Good game by Ki! 3 straight wins now.

 

Didn't see the game, but the Guardian's MBM says

https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2018/nov/26/burnley-v-newcastle-premier-league-live

Happy to see he stuck it out in the PL and is doing so well.

 

I watched the match and thought Ki was doing pretty well, but maybe I subconsciously underrated him because I'm aware of my own bias.

What I find interesting is that his performances are hardly ever praised during the actual match, but to the trained eye he gets a lot of credit in hindsight.

From Newcastle's subreddit:

 

I thought his performance was just fine as he didn't have to do too much, but it seems press who follow NUFC are very happy with a CM who doesn't turn the ball over every other time:

Thought Ki was outstanding. Shelvey doesn't deserve to just waltz back in.

— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) November 26, 2018

FT. Burnley 1-2 Newcastle. I wouldn't call that a great game, but it had some entertainment value. I thought Burnley looked tame and a bit two dimensional in attack. For Newcastle, Schaar, Fernandez and Ki were solid. Ki remains very good on the ball in tight areas.

— Kris Heneage (@KHeneage) November 26, 2018

Have to say, I think Ki's been excellent for #nufc - so composed on the ball, & looks to build attacks whenever he can. Really impressed with him again

— Chris Waugh (@ChrisDHWaugh) November 26, 2018