' Cardiff City midfielder Kim Bo-kyung '

' Cardiff City midfielder Kim Bo-kyung '
15 Jun 2013


Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay has backed his South Korean star Kim Bo-kyung to sparkle in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old midfielder impressed in his first season in the Welsh capital as the Bluebirds stormed to promotion and the Championship title.

At first used by Mackay sparingly, Kim came to the fore at the end of the campaign as the capital club finally made it to the top flight for the first time in more than half a century.

Mackay may now be scouring the globe for new players to ensure his side’s stay is not a short one, but he believes he already has a man who can impress next term.

“I think Kim is absolutely ready to make the step up to the Premier League,” said Mackay.

“He’s an international, very comfortable on the ball and just desperate not to give it away.

“He is certainly a very exciting player, that was the reason I bought him in the first place.

“I think it was a case of us getting a player that ordinarily we might not have managed to get.

“Early on at Cardiff it was very much about him settling in. The lad knew he had to learn the language and he knew he had to learn the culture.

“There was also just getting used to the league itself, the physicality of the Championship. The relentless nature of it.”

Mackay was first alerted to Kim 18 months ago whilst the midfielder was in Japan playing for Cerezo Osaka.

After watching him on video and compiling a dossier on his target, the Cardiff boss travelled to Switzerland last summer to watch Kim in a friendly international for South Korea against Spain.

Mackay admits he was instantly smitten

“The first time I saw him I knew straight away I knew I was watching a very intelligent footballer,” said Mackay.

“He was comfortable on the ball and definitely wanted to win. He handled himself very well against a side like Spain. I knew if we could get him we were going to get a huge asset on our hands.”

Last season it was at Easter when Mackay shook up his side and brought in Kim and Jordon Mutch to work along side Aron Gunnarsson in the Bluebirds midfield.

The manager’s decision was rewarded as his side again kicked on and he believes now the same personnel are more than capable of matching the increased demands of next season.

“I see the players every day. I watch them every day. It’s what I’m paid to do,” added Mackay.

“The point just came when I felt we needed to put Gunnarsson, Mutch and Kimbo together. That paid off for us too.

“The three of them clicked. They all looked comfortable. I bought all three, they are all young and exiting. They are still learning, but one is the captain of Iceland, one is playing for South Korea, who are in the top echelons of world football, and Mutch is young, younger than people seem to realise and hugely talented.

“They’re still developing, but they’ve got what it takes for the Premier League.”

I have to admit I was a bit sceptical about how good Kim Bo could be and if he would be to light on the pitch, my opinion in May just gone, Kim Bo is by far our best player and will shine in the Premier League

Agree with your post annis, always gives 100 % to the team and expecting the same this year

Kimbo is the one most likely to shine at the next level IMHO.

Although he's one of a fair few who I believe can cope with it. I reckon Marshall, Bellamy Turner, Mutch, Kimbo, Campbell, Maynard (if fit), and maybe Whittingham, Gunnarsson and Taylor can be successes - or at least cope . Really if we are going to survive even a few of these might find themselves pushed down the pecking order.

Hudson has done really well, but I'll have to wait and see how he deals with the extra pace and skill of opposing strikers. He should be OK judging by his performances in the Cups.

Noone is one who I'm not 100% convinced of - good player on his day, but a bit like Burke fades out when he doesn't get early success.

Mason is another who might well shine with better players around him

Not so sure about Connolly, although he did well for us.

Conway, McNaughton, Cowie, Lappin, Kiss, Velikonja, Gestede. I can't see being good enough. Not convinced by Lewis either, but not seen a lot of him to be fair.

Ralls, Nugent - too early to tell yet.

Need.

A big striker.
A winger
A centre half (maybe 2)
Right back
Left Back.

Minimum...

Agree with all the other posts here.

During the second half of last season we all saw just how good a player he is

I'm confident he'll shine on the big stage, more so than Peter Whittingham!

Agree with your post annis, always gives 100 % to the team and expecting the same this year

Imo kimbo was made for the premier.he's class.

Apart from that careless pass to give Hull the Lead, Kimbo is the class the team can base itself around, and cause some proper mischief

I honestly think that Kimbo will go on to be the best player I have ever seen in a city shirt (apart from the ones we will sign this summer)

I hope Malky is planning to upgrade or bring Whitts back into that midfield three.

Too much being made of this Gunnarson / Mutch / Kimbo trio.

We only won 2 of 9 games with them in midfield together.

A fit and raring to go Whitts further forward over Mutch for me and a better holding player than Gunnar. Someone who can pass and tackle.

I agree, Im really looking forward to seeing Kimbo next season. Anyone know how long he is contracted for?

Polo I agree with you that people are writing off Whitts far too prematurely. People forget that he has been our best player season after season. He was totally burnt out last season and his confidence dipped but he was still outstanding up until christmas.
I just hope malky has the balls to tell bellamy that he should be nowhere near free kicks

Polo I agree with you that people are writing off Whitts far too prematurely. People forget that he has been our best player season after season. He was totally burnt out last season and his confidence dipped but he was still outstanding up until christmas.
I just hope malky has the balls to tell bellamy that he should be nowhere near free kicks

It really fucks me off on here people writing off Whitts.

He rarely wastes the ball and we are going to need that in the PL.

Whitts and Kimbo are going to be integral next season, Gunnars and Mutch will both have important squad roles too, but I hope they prove me wrong, but I can't see Conway or Noone cutting it. Do you think we'll strengthen with an experienced campaigner? The four I mention who i believe will be pivotal are all early 20's with the exception of Whittingham(28). We've got the basis of an exciting top flight midfield, and for argument sake add a Tom Ince and a Leon Osman type dog into the mix, then we'll have an embarrassment of riches in the middle

Whitts and Kimbo are going to be integral next season, Gunnars and Mutch will both have important squad roles too, but I hope they prove me wrong, but I can't see Conway or Noone cutting it. Do you think we'll strengthen with an experienced campaigner? The four I mention who i believe will be pivotal are all early 20's with the exception of Whittingham(28). We've got the basis of an exciting top flight midfield, and for argument sake add a Tom Ince and a Leon Osman type dog into the mix, then we'll have an embarrassment of riches in the middle

Agree mate. I think we can move a few on but I will be gutted if Malky parts with Whitts.

KIM will sparkle. Shinji Kagawa has been a performer when he starts for United.