Gwangju’s Jung Ho-yeon succeeds Scottish professional soccer MVP
Gold medalist at the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games in China, Chung Ho-yeon (23-Gwangju FC) has been compared to the biggest star on the Scottish stage during his time in the ninth-ranked European Football Association (UEFA) league.
“Celtic (Scotland) are targeting ‘K League gem’ Jung Ho-yeon as a long-term replacement for captain Callum McGregor (30),” wrote Daniel Emery (England) on October 16.
Celtic are ranked 54th in the 2023-24 European Club Rankings. Callum McGregor was the 2021-22 Scottish Professional Footballers’ Association First Division MVP. Emery covers Norwich City in the English Championship (Second Division) for British media outlet Snack Media.
Chung met the criteria for the so-called “special military service exemption” for athletic personnel by winning the Hangzhou Asian Games. “Celtic don’t want to give other potential suitors time to think about it,” said Daniel Emery, adding that the Hoops are rushing to finalize a deal to bring him in the January 2024 transfer window.
Callum McGregor was a best 11 in the Scottish first team in 2019-2022-2023. He is also a key midfield resource for the Scottish national team, with three goals and one assist in 56 caps.
According to Daniel Emery, Celtic see him as a “versatile midfielder with the potential to be Callum McGregor’s successor”. While it’s unlikely he’ll be in the first team for the second half of the 2023-24 season, the club wants to see if he can develop into a Scottish first-team star.
Callum McGregor scored Scotland’s only goal in the 2021 UEFA EURO 24 round of 16 after a 1-1 draw in the group stage.
Scotland finished second in Group A of the 2024 UEFA Euro qualifiers, qualifying for their second consecutive tournament in 28 years. Callum McGregor, who started every A match this year, was a key contributor.먹튀검증
“He has been impressive in the K League One this season, showing the ability to make an impact from defense to attack,” said Daniel Emery, describing Jung as a “box-to-box” type of central midfielder.
His strengths in the 2023 Korean Professional Football League include: ▲ Consistent ball possession and quality play, ▲ Individual ability to crack opposing defenses, ▲ Progressive and aggressive attacking play (rather than passing the ball sideways or backwards) while giving up little possession to the opposition.
Daniel Emery also noted Jeong’s K League 1 records this season, including a 90% success rate with reliable passes and 1.1 scoring chances per game, and praised his development as “even better than his 2022 K League 2 performance.”
With the Young Player of the Month award for February-March 2023, Jung was recognized as the best under-23 player in the K League 1 for the period. It was his first individual award since making his Korean professional soccer debut.
Daniel Emery said: “Ho-Yeon Jung combines solid defense with creative passing and composed ball possession to threaten the opposition goal. He will be able to adapt to the Scottish first team in a matter of months and confirm that he is ready to replace Callum McGregor.”