[OSEN=노진주 기자] ‘Talented’ Hwang Hee-chan (27, Wolverhampton) goes on a congratulatory hunt for ‘concluding a contract renewal’ by scoring his first goal against Chelsea.
Wolverhampton will play a home game against Chelsea in the 18th round of the 2023-2024 English Premier League (EPL) at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England, at 10 p.m. on the 24th (Korean time).
Attention is being paid to whether Hwang Hee-chan, who signed a new contract with Wolverhampton the day before (22nd), will score his first goal against Chelsea.
With this new contract, Hwang Hee-chan will remain with Wolverhampton until 2028. An additional one-year option clause is also included in the contract. The original contract period was until the summer of 2026.
Hwang Hee-chan, who moved to Wolverhampton on loan in August 2021 while playing for Leipzig, Germany, was transferred permanently early the following year after performing better than expected.
Although he had a disappointing time due to muscle injuries, Hwang Hee-chan’s career took off at Wolverhampton. And he is in his prime, hitting a ‘career high’ this season.
He is recording 9 goals and 2 assists in 19 official games in the 2023-2024 season. If we set the scope to EPL only, 8 goals and 2 assists.
Hwang Hee-chan is currently Wolverhampton’s highest scorer this season, having played 17 league games. He scored 4 more goals than Cunha (5 goals), the team’s second-highest scorer. He is also ranked 7th in EPL scoring rankings. He is only 2 goals behind 3rd place Son Heung-min (10 goals).
In the upcoming match against Chelsea, Hwang Hee-chan will attempt to score double-digit scores for the first time since entering the EPL. In the last two league games, Hwang Hee-chan failed to accumulate attack points.
He also attempts to score his first goal against Chelsea. Hwang Hee-chan played as a substitute in three games against Chelsea after transferring to Wolverhampton, but did not score a goal.
Chelsea’s starting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is out due to injury, and Djordje Petrovic, who led the team to the semifinals of the League Cup with a penalty shootout save, will guard the goal. It is Hwang Hee-chan who must break through him.
Wolverhampton, which has recently stagnated, is in desperate need of a rebound. They won against Burnley, the weakest team in the league, but have only recorded 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 losses in the last 5 games. In particular, Hwang Hee-chan scored two goals during this period, but the team only scored five goals overall and allowed eight goals.
Although Wolverhampton’s recent performance has been disappointing, they are producing good results at home, going undefeated in six games at Molineux Stadium.
Chelsea will continue its momentum and aim for its first away win at Wolverhampton in four years. Chelsea has only 1 draw and 2 losses at Molineux Stadium since winning 5-2 in the 2019-2020 season.
Wolverhampton remains in 13th place this season with 5 wins, 4 draws, 8 losses, and 19 points. On the other hand, Chelsea is in 10th place with 6 wins, 4 draws, 7 losses, and 22 points.
Meanwhile, in announcing the renewal of the contract with Hwang Hee-chan, Wolverhampton said, “Hwang Hee-chan, the Korean national team member, wore the Wolverhampton uniform for the first time on loan in 2021. And currently under manager Gary O’Neill, he has scored nine goals (across all competitions) before Christmas. “He is enjoying his best season ever.”
He also said, “After scoring his (Wolverhampton) debut goal against Watford two years ago, Hwang Hee-chan is quickly showing his ruthlessness in front of goal,” adding, “Only five players have scored more goals in the EPL than Hwang Hee-chan this season. . He added, “He is showing good chemistry with Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha within the team.”
The praise for Hwang Hee-chan continued. Wolverhampton said, “Hwang Hee-chan’s equalizer against ‘defending champion’ Manchester City and Newcastle was dazzling. He also scored goals in six consecutive games at his home stadium, putting him on par with John Richards. “He is also the first player to score 6 goals in 10 games since Derek Duggan 50 years ago,” he praised.
Matt Hobbs, Wolverhampton sports director, said, “Hwang Hee-chan gave everything for the club. Accordingly, fans are also grateful that he is playing an important role in Coach O’Neill’s system. “He is a valuable player both on and off the pitch.”
Hee-chan Hwang said, “I am happy to stay in Wolverhampton longer. I want to say thank you to my teammates, staff, family, and fans. I’m really happy. I am enjoying life and soccer here. “I am ready to give my all in the future,” he said, expressing his thoughts on renewing his contract.
He added, “Of course, the 9 goals (scored this season) make me happy. However, I would like to first express my gratitude to my teammates, coaching staff, and family. Because this is something you can never do alone. I also learned a lot from the coaching staff. So my goal is to play ‘for the team’. “I will continue to do my best to become a player who is helpful to the team,” he said.
In addition, “I will not be satisfied with just a new contract. Sometimes I talk about ‘big ambitions’ with players. I feel a responsibility to bring more wins. He also expressed his strong determination, saying, “I am ready to fight for the team.”
It is clear that contract renewal motivates Hwang Hee-chan. “I don’t want to stop here,” he said. “I want to rise to the highest level possible,” he said.
Colleagues also mentioned it. Hee-chan Hwang said, “They mean more than ‘team members.’ A good friend and brother. We play on the field for each other. I help my colleagues and they help me. “This makes us stronger,” he said. “If I could, I would like to introduce more Korean culture.” “The players also welcome this.”
Looking back on the time he spent at Wolverhampton, he said, “After the transfer, the start was good. He also scored a lot of goals. However, he was injured and had a difficult time after that. “But it was his dream to play in the Premier League, so he always tried to enjoy it,” he said. “Language (English) is also an important part for me as a foreign player. I’m learning well, but it’s still not enough. However, we are working hard on everything. In order to spend more time with my teammates, I need to become better at English. “It is necessary to communicate well with fans,” he said.
Lastly, “I’m really excited. I’m so excited. I will play for my team, fans and family. “We will continue to move forward,” he said emphatically.
[사진] ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited) / Wolverhampton website
2023-12-22 21:31:00
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