Written of by many..... JI DONG-WON has time on his hands to progress following a difficult first season in English football. Thatâs the verdict of Sunderland team-mate Phil Bardsley as Ji prepares to lead the line for South Korea in tonightâs friendly against world champions Spain. Ji was restricted to a fringe role with the Black Cats last season after his £2million switch from Korean outfit Chunnam Dragons a year ago. The 21-year-old made just two appearances in the starting XI, with the first of those under Martin OâNeill not arriving until the penultimate game of the season at Fulham. With OâNeill ready to strengthen his forward options this summer, the Black Cats boss could look more favourably towards any loan interest in the striker, who produced the highlight of his Sunderland career with the winner in the New Yearâs Day victory over Manchester City. But Bardsley believes it was always going to be difficult for Ji to adjust to the Premier League in his maiden season on Wearside after making such a seismic leap in his career. Bardsley told the Echo: âJi is only a young boy and heâs a long way from home. âItâs difficult to settle. Iâm sure heâd like to have played more football than he has. âBut heâs worked hard in training and got himself a deserved start at Fulham, where I thought he was pretty bright at times. âIt takes time to get used to the physical side of things for the Asian players when they come over here, and itâs the same for the South Americans. âThey all adapt differently. âFor Ji, the big plus point is heâs a young lad. âHeâs got a lot to learn, but time is on his side.â Ji will continue his education in Switzerland tonight, as Korea take on Spain in the penultimate warm-up game for the World and European Champions prior to Euro 2012. Reports in the Korean press suggest Ji will be handed a start as the lone striker for the Taegeuk Warriors, with Arsenal forward Park Chu-Young currently in dispute with the national team. An impressive outing for Ji could see him included in the squad for the summerâs Olympics, although that could hamper Sunderland commercially when they head to Korea for their pre-season tour. The Black Cats are one of three European outfits featuring at the Peace Cup, to be held in South Korea, in July â a competition which potentially clashes with any pre-Olympic training camp for the Korean side. Meanwhile, Sunderland have been credited with an interest in Manchester City striker John Guidetti, as OâNeill looks to boost his meagre striking options. Guidetti was in prolific form during a season-long loan with Feyenoord this campaign, notching 20 goals in 23 games for the Dutch outfit. OâNeill had watched Feyenoord in action towards the end of the campaign, although it is unclear whether Guidetti was the subject of his scouting mission. Sunderland are pursuing a wide-range of forward options though, with Wolves hitman Steven Fletcher one of OâNeillâs principal targets.
I don't rate the lad personally but if Mon sees something I don't and makes him a player, I'll be happy enough.
Ji is a funny one and I still don't know. He looks sharp and with a great attitude and must have a lot of talent but needs to learn a lot. A massive season ahead for him I think.
With Sunderland looking to be a well known name in the far east of course Ji is going to stay for the next season atleast. He is our marketing tool and I bet part of the reason we signed him was because of the publicity it would bring our club in that part of the world leading to the trip Bruce and Quinn made last year and the tournament we will take part in next month. Sunderland are looking to be more well known around the world especially in the far east and africa, don't be surprised if now and again we bring players from those parts our the world to up our profile.
We're just another name, that get's shown on tv, nowt else.... One player won't change anything sadly....it'll always be the big 2..Man U and Liverpool... You may attract a minority, Chelsea and Arsenal are getting there, but even City are light years behind them in popularity in Asia.
