Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) is gradually losing his presence. Recently, he was not even included in the lineup, let alone the bench, for a Premier League match. The situation has transcended simple rotation exclusion and is effectively categorized as being outside the squad.

Wolverhampton suffered a 0-2 defeat to Brighton in the 36th round of the 2024-2025 Premier League season held at the Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England, on the 10th (Korean time). As a result, Wolverhampton recorded two consecutive league losses and fell to 14th place. Most notably, Hwang was not even mentioned in the match.

In the first half, Wolverhampton dominated the match, controlling 60% possession and taking 8 shots. However, there were only 2 shots on target. In contrast, Brighton converted a single shot on target into a goal. In the 28th minute of the first half, Welbeck calmly finished a penalty kick earned from a foul by Cunha, scoring the opening goal.

The second half was rather Brighton's time. Wolverhampton managed only 2 attempts at shooting, and in the 39th minute, Traore, receiving a pass from Adingra, scored an additional goal with a lob shot. When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 0-2, a complete defeat for Wolverhampton.

However, as noticeable as the performance was Hwang Hee-chan's thorough 'exclusion.' There were no injury issues, nor any suspensions. Yet, he did not even make the matchday squad. Coach Vitor Pereira explained the reason for his exclusion before the match, stating, "Hwang Hee-chan has been nursing a minor injury, so he could not train normally." He added, "It has nothing to do with his quality. It’s just that currently, Larsen is scoring, so there are priorities."

The problem is that the starting striker that day was Gonçalo Guedes, not Larsen. Guedes, despite struggling with only 2 league goals this season, was chosen to start. Larsen was on the bench, and Hwang was nowhere to be found. After the match, Coach Pereira said, "Larsen was not in perfect condition. It was a failure to use Cunha at the front in the last match, so we chose Guedes."

When combining this situation, it becomes clear. Hwang Hee-chan has fallen to the third tier or lower within Wolverhampton's attacking resources and, in fact, can be seen as having been omitted from the coach's plans. In the last 5 matches, he has played a mere 12 minutes. Even extending the range to 8 matches, he has only played 28 minutes.

This trend naturally leads to transfer rumors. Liam Keen, a dedicated reporter for local media 'Express & Star (E&S),' mentioned on a podcast, "Hwang Hee-chan nearly completed a transfer to Olympique Marseille last summer. His performance this season has not met expectations, and there may be more desire for a transfer from the player’s side than the club’s side."

Hwang Hee-chan is a player who has sufficiently proven his potential in the Premier League. His quick penetrations, sharp dribbles, and use of space in attacking development were undoubtedly assets that brought energy to the team. In fact, he played significant roles in crucial moments until last season. However, this season, he has been suffering from injuries, fatigue, and tactical changes, greatly diminishing his presence.

The bigger issue is that even after returning, he has rarely had the opportunity. Since recovering from his injury, he has remained on the bench and is now missing from the lineup. While competitors in the team continue to receive chances, Hwang has been thoroughly overlooked.

Although the contract with Wolverhampton remains valid, if this trend continues, a separation is only a matter of time. A transfer is becoming a necessity rather than a choice. Analysts suggest that Hwang Hee-chan, who is still in his prime, needs a new team that can offer him more playing time and a central role.

Now, what remains is Hwang Hee-chan's decision. Will he wait for another opportunity from behind the bench, or will he start a challenge in a new stage? As the season draws to a close, Hwang's story at Wolverhampton seems to be heading toward its final chapter.

[OSEN]