FMV: Tours Presents.. Lee Woon-Jae

Name: Lee Woon-Jae
D/O/B: 26/04/1973 (Age 36)
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Suwon Samsung Bluewings (South Korea)
International Caps: 125
International Goals: 0
Value: £2,300,000
Wages: £3,600 p/w

Background
Lee is one of South Korea’s most capped players, and after representing them in the 1994, 2002 and 2006 World Cups, looks set to once again take the Number 1 jersey this time around. Despite his age (he’ll be 37 when the tournament starts), recent good form for his club, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, means that Lee is almost certain to be chosen as first choice keeper ahead of his nearest rivals, Kim Young-Kwang and Jung Sung-Ryong, both of whom are over 10 years his junior. Lee has become a permanent fixture in the Korean National Team, and even captained the side before the armband was passed on to Park Ji-Sung. In 2008, he was selected in the K-League’s Best XI and was also named ‘Most Valuable Player’ in the league, but he will perhaps be known most for his heroics in the 2002 World Cup Quarter-Final match against Spain, in which he saved Joaquin’s penalty to earn his country a place in the Semi-Final; their best effort in the tournament.

Attributes

Strengths
Decisions – 18
Determination – 18
Composure – 18
Concentration – 16
Anticipation – 16
Handling – 15

Due to Lee’s advancing years, his best attributes on FM2010 are mostly all mental. But in terms of Goalkeeping ability, he’s pretty solid. By no means is he the best ‘keeper in the world, but his stats are fairly consistent, with good Handling skills and good throwing, and he’s also quite decent in the air as well, considering at 6’0, he isn’t the tallest of goalkeepers.

Weaknesses
Acceleration – 4
Pace – 6
First Touch – 8
Communication – 10

He certainly isn’t the quickest, and also lacks a good First Touch, which does have the potential to trouble him in high-tempo games. I would’ve thought that due to his experience, his Communication would be a lot better than what it is, and once again this is something that could catch teams out. However, with alert, vocal Defenders, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Positions
It’s fairly obvious as to what positions Lee can play; just the one; in goal.

Overall
I believe Lee’s experience and decent attributes could make him an excellent understudy for most teams, but his age is certainly against him.
Recommended Rating: 5/10