Lee Kang-in develops into important squad player for PSG

Kang-in’s year has been a fascinating chapter in the young South Korean’s career. Under Luis Enrique, the 23-year-old has demonstrated both flashes of brilliance and moments of inconsistency as he adapts to the demands of the Spanish tactician. After arriving in the summer of 2023, expectations were high for the former Mallorca playmaker, and his journey so far has offered plenty to analyse.

One of Lee Kang-in’s standout qualities is his exceptional technical ability. With a deft touch, vision that belies his years, and a remarkable ability to create space in tight areas, he has quickly become an asset in PSG’s attacking transitions. His performance against Angers earlier this season was a particular highlight, where he orchestrated play beautifully, notching two goals and an assist in a dominant 4-2 victory. That match showcased his knack for exploiting half-spaces, threading incisive passes, and making runs to destabilise defences. Also, his versatility has often been praised by Luis Enrique, who has used him in different role, ranging from the usual right winger to more surprising ones such as central midfielder or in defence on the right flank.

However, his season has not been without challenges, as PSG are generally struggling in quite a lot of areas so far. The intensity of Luis Enrique’s high-pressing system has occasionally exposed a lack of defensive sharpness in Lee Kang-in’s game. Matches against physically robust sides like Marseille saw him struggle to impose himself, with turnovers in midfield leading to dangerous counterattacks. While being one of the rare positive surprises of this season so far at PSG along with Bradley Barcola, the South Korean international obviously still has room for improvement, most notably in his decision-making under pressure and his defensive positioning.

What stands out most is Lee Kang-in’s room for progress. He has quickly become a fan favourite at the Parc des Princes, who tends to become more and more attracted to the project of building the star of tomorrow instead of readymade products. While his defensive contributions and physicality remain areas for improvement, his creativity, intelligence, and adaptability have made him a vital asset for PSG, even if he isn’t a guaranteed starter under Luis Enrique.

GFFN | Gregoire Devaux