Seongnam FC Sign Choi Oh-back from Seoul E-Land

The news broke this morning that Seongnam FC have acquired the services of Seoul E-Land winger Choi Oh-back. The 26-year-old Korean will now play in K League 1 with the newly promoted side. A fan favorite at E-Land, Choi has been with the club, since its inception in 2015 and will be a damaging blow for the Leopards hopes of improving on a poor 2018.
(image via Seongnam FC PR Department)

How was he viewed at Seoul E-Land?

Choi Oh-back was one of the main players in the squad for the four full seasons he had at Jamsil. A fast winger, Oh-back loved to run with the ball at his feet and would always look for a good ball to pass into the box with a cross. A confident player as well, as he wasn't afraid to shoot from distance, something that paid off for him many times.

Choi Oh-back was influential this year for the leopards, starting 28 games for the side, and seven games coming off the bench. Loved by fans, E-Land always had a chance of getting back into the game if the player was on the field. Choi Oh-back could be seen sprinting the length of the pitch, and backing up the defense when needed.

Strongest aspects of his game?

Choi Oh-back had a talent for pushing the ball forward and putting E-Land into promising positions to score. Not known for goal scoring, with his highest record out of the four seasons being five goals in 2017. Choi Oh-back was great at assisting his teammates when needed. Oh-back would look for the best possible balls for goal scoring opportunities and wasn't afraid to run at defenders to get himself into these positions.

Choi Oh-back also has great speed and uses it in his game to win a lot of through balls passed to him. Also confident in going in for tackles and getting the ball back for E-Land.

Weaknesses

Choi Oh-back sometimes would be found out of position within games with E-Land. He would sprint back to help defend, and once the ball has been cleared, you would find him still in the defensive half. This has left E-Land out of options where he should already be halfway up the pitch to support his teammates.

Also known as a joker off the pitch, he made his feelings clear towards the end of the season that he wasn't happy with the footballing management of Seoul E-Land. His actions saw him subsequently dropped for the remaining few games of the season, and come into the game off the bench

Reason for leaving?

As said before, Choi Oh-back did not have the healthiest relationship with the E-Land backing staff towards the end of his time with the club. He made his feelings very clear that Seoul E-land should be in a better position than what they are in and even took to Facebook midseason to express his feelings to the fans.

Politics a side, he is an energetic, quick player, who is playing below his standard in the K League 2. Seoul E-Land would have signed the young Korean back in 2015 and promised him K League 1 football, something that never materialized. This will now be the case as he makes the short trip across to Seongnam.

Where do you think he would be best utilized with Seongnam?

Keep him on the wings and look for him as an option to take the ball from defense into attack. Choi Oh-back is not known for scoring, so sticking him at the top maybe damaging for the Magpies. Keep him on the wing and let him have space to move the ball forward, and look for dangerous passes for the side.

What should Seongnam fans expect from him?

They should expect a player who is eager to prove his worth in the K League 1. A big game player, Choi Oh-back will relish upon playing teams such as Jeonbuk, Gyeongnam, and Ulsan throughout the year. A player with a lot of potential, Choi will play with confidence, regardless of the opponent Seongnam are facing up against.