'Pain of Relegation' Hwang Hee-chan, Considering Escape from Wolverhampton and 'New Challenge'

*This content was translated by AI.

With Wolverhampton's relegation to the Championship (second division) for the next season confirmed early, domestic fans are focusing their attention on whether Hwang Hee-chan (30) will change his course. While he could stay with Wolverhampton in the Championship and aim for promotion, there is also a significant possibility that he will embark on a 'new challenge' after five seasons with the club.

Wolverhampton confirmed its relegation on the 21st (Korea time) with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in London, England, in the 33rd round of the 2025-2026 English Premier League (EPL). Relegation was sealed as West Ham United, the 17th-placed team on the relegation survival line, accumulated 33 points (8 wins, 9 draws, 16 losses), creating a 16-point gap with Wolverhampton, which had 17 points (3 wins, 8 draws, 22 losses). Even if Wolverhampton wins all five remaining EPL matches, it cannot escape the relegation zone. This makes Wolverhampton the first EPL team to be confirmed for relegation this season.

Wolverhampton's return to the Championship comes nine seasons after the 2017-2018 season. At that time, Wolverhampton won the Championship title and was promoted, playing in the EPL for eight consecutive seasons until this season. However, this season, the club suffered the humiliation of relegation after failing to overcome its worst slump of the season, including 19 consecutive matches without a win (3 draws, 16 losses) from the opening 19 games. Expecting to stay in the EPL while carrying the shameful record of 19 consecutive matches without a win, a first in 123 years of English football history, was an unrealistic hope.

Naturally, attention turns to Hwang Hee-chan amidst Wolverhampton's relegation. Hwang played for five seasons from the 2021-2022 season (including his loan spell) through this season, appearing in 129 EPL matches and recording 24 goals and 6 assists. Although he managed only 2 goals and 1 assist in 22 matches this season due to injuries and other setbacks, and scored just 2 goals in 21 matches last season, he achieved a career high in the EPL with 12 goals (3 assists) in the 2023-2024 season.

While the records suggest a recent downward trend, it is necessary to consider that he has not consistently received playing opportunities within the team. However, he is capable of playing not only as a striker but also on both flanks, and his rich EPL experience, along with his enduring speed and shooting ability, are still considered competitive. As a striker in his prime who has competed in the EPL for five seasons, he is expected to receive numerous offers.

His contract with Wolverhampton runs until June 2028, with two years remaining and an option to extend for one more year. While he could stay with the club to help lead the team toward promotion, more weight is being placed on the possibility of pursuing a new challenge. Locally, there is already a high expectation of Wolverhampton's 'rebuilding' potential, which could open the door for Hwang's transfer. Reports from The Athletic have also highlighted the possibility of high-salary players leaving the club amid the relegation.

If Hwang Hee-chan ends his time with Wolverhampton, moving to another EPL club is an option, as is taking on a challenge in a completely new league. If he demonstrates his competitiveness at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America before the transfer market opens, the offers for Hwang are expected to become even more diverse. Hwang has previously received offers from clubs such as Marseille (France) and PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands). With the club's relegation to the second division, the likelihood of a transfer is higher than ever, meaning more teams are likely to be watching Hwang closely.

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*This content was translated by AI.