FMV: Tours Presents.. Park Ji Sung

Name: Park Ji-Sung
D/O/B: 25/02/1981 (Age 28)
Position: Winger/Attacking Midfielder
Club: Manchester United (England)
International Caps: 84
International Goals: 11
Value: £7,500,000
Wages: £60,000 p/w

Background
Known by the United faithful as ‘Three-Lung Park’ for his impeccable stamina and tireless work ethic, the South Korean captain is undoubtedly his country’s most famous player. He started his career as a Defensive Midfielder, making his first appearance for Korea in the 2000 Sydney Olympics qualifiers, but initially failed to make any impact to the side, and his international future was put in doubt. However, when Guus Hiddink took charge of the team shortly after the Olympics, Park was converted into a Winger, a change which rejuvenated Park, and made him into the player that he is now. With 84 international caps to his name, and a vast array of Champions League experience with both Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven, Park has established himself as one of the most experienced and most successful Asian footballers in the world today, and although he isn’t considered a regular at Old Trafford, his skills and leadership are integral to the success of the Korean national side.

Attributes

Strengths
Work Rate – 20
Stamina – 20
Teamwork – 19
Natural Fitness – 18
Agility – 18
Off The Ball – 18
Determination – 17

Park’s strengths are rather predictable considering what he is known for in the footballing world; a whole-hearted, committed performance. He’ll chase every ball, go for every 50/50 challenge (and most of the time win them) and he’ll track back on every single occasion without fail. He really is one of the most honest players in the modern game, I think.

Weaknesses
Long Throws – 5
Free Kick Taking – 6
Influence – 7

Being weak at taking Long Throws or Free Kicks is certainly not the end of the world for Park; for example, in the Manchester United team there are several players who would be higher in the Free Kick taking pecking order anyway. The 7 for Influence confuses me slightly though, considering he’s the captain of his country. However, I think that he probably only wears the armband due to his fame and the fact that he’s South Korea’s best player. As well as the three weaknesses I’ve listed, Park is also quite weak at Jumping and Heading, mainly due to the fact that at 5’11, he isn’t the tallest of players. Despite boasting some impressive Physical Attributes, Park’s creative side does often let him down. Although his crossing, creativity and dribbling are by no means bad, for a winger, they could do with being slightly more attractive.

Positions
Along with ‘tireless’, ‘committed’ and ‘determined’, Park can add ‘versatile’ to the list of adjectives that describe him. As mentioned before, he began his career as a Defensive Midfielder, a position in which nowadays he is, according to FM2010, ‘Awkward’. This is probably because; he never plays there for either his club or country. Park is very much a utility player for Manchester United, but tends to feature mostly on the wings, but occasionally in the centre of midfield (and even more occasionally at Right-Back, when United had their Defensive injury crisis). He is also widely regarded as a ‘big game player’ and tends to feature heavily in Manchester United’s Champions League campaigns. This is wholly down to the fact that he can run forever, or so it seems, and really gets in the opposition players’ faces; something which can be key to winning a European tie. For the National Team however, Park’s experience and knowledge of the game means he plays as an Attacking Central Midfielder, allowing him to be in the middle of everything that’s happening and meaning he can put his skills to best use.

Overall
Park is a quality player, and has arguably some of the best Physical Attributes on the game. Having him even on the bench would add extra options all around the field, and like I said before, 99% of the time, you will get a whole-hearted, committed performance from him. Personally, Park is one of my favourite players in World Football, and I admire everything that he stands for. He rarely goes down on his own will, and once again, is one of the most honest players in the game. And hey, a player with three lungs is a must-buy, surely?
Recommended Rating: 8/10