"Hwang In-beom guaranteed a minimum rating of 6; Porto official expresses 'stormy expectations'... The only concern is his physical condition"

*This content was translated by AI.

As South Korea national team key midfielder Hwang In-beom (30) dons the jersey of Portuguese powerhouse FC Porto, expectations are also rising locally.

On the 22nd (Korean time), Flashscore Portugal reported: "Hwang In-beom has joined as part of Porto's squad for the new season." It added: "The South Korean national team midfielder brings build-up ability, high work rate, and rich experience to Porto's midfield."

Notably, the outlet praised: "Whenever Hwang In-beom takes the field, he demonstrates a high level of ball control. He rarely plays poorly with a rating around 4 out of 10. A performance of at least 6 points is virtually guaranteed."

Porto officially announced the signing of Hwang In-beom on the previous day (21st) via its club website and social media channels. The contract runs for three years until 2029, with an option to extend by one year. The transfer fee is reported to be around €5 million (approximately 8.5 billion won). He has been assigned jersey number 16.

Flashscore stated: "Hwang In-beom is a mobile and reliable midfielder capable of controlling the game tempo from deep positions." It continued: "Having played 76 matches for the South Korean national team, he typically operates as a defensive midfielder or in a box-to-box role. Regardless of position, he consistently shows a strong tendency to push his team forward."

It further noted: "After leaving Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) and joining Feyenoord (Netherlands), Hwang In-beom quickly won over the fans." The outlet praised: "He demonstrated selfless play, fierce competitiveness, and tireless energy without compromising his ball-handling skills. This combination was perfect for capturing the hearts of Rotterdam fans."

The media highlighted Hwang In-beom's strengths by comparing him to fellow Feyenoord key midfielder Luciano Valente. During the 2025–2026 season, Hwang In-beom averaged 19.6 passes into the final third per 90 minutes, ranking second on the team behind Valente's 20.9.

Flashscore awarded him a higher rating, noting: "Hwang In-beom often initiates attacks from deeper positions than Valente."

Additionally, Hwang In-beom averaged 0.22 assists and created 1.91 goal-scoring opportunities per 90 minutes. This was the second-best record among Feyenoord players who played over 1,000 minutes.

Flashscore analyzed Hwang In-beom as a player more oriented toward passing than dribbling. His average of 1.17 dribble attempts per 90 minutes was significantly lower than Valente's 3.53. Rather than driving forward with the ball himself, his style focuses on creating game flow through passes and advancing the team.

He also received passing marks in defense. The media reported: "Across all competitions, Hwang In-beom averaged 1.6 tackles, 5.4 recoveries of possession, 5.5 duels won, and 1.5 clearances per 90 minutes."

Hwang In-beom began his professional career with Daejeon Citizen (now Daejeon Hana Citizen) in the K League before embarking on his first overseas challenge with Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer (MLS). He subsequently gained European experience at Olympiacos (Greece), Crvena Zvezda, and Feyenoord, consistently earning positive evaluations.

He also made his presence felt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. In the Group A opener against Czechia, he recorded one goal and one assist, leading South Korea to victory.

Founded in 1893, FC Porto is considered one of Portugal's top clubs alongside Benfica and Sporting CP. In the 2025–2026 Primeira Liga season, they claimed the title for their 31st league championship overall—their first trophy since the 2021–2022 season, ending a four-year drought.

The club also boasts an illustrious European history. They have won the UEFA Champions League twice and the UEFA Europa League twice, along with one UEFA Super Cup title.

Hwang In-beom's move to Porto is widely attributed to the strong influence of 1989-born young manager Francesco Paoli. It is reported that during the 2024–2025 season, while managing Feyenoord's rival Ajax (Netherlands), Paoli closely monitored Hwang In-beom's performances. After taking charge at Porto, he personally brought Hwang In-beom into the squad.

However, Flashscore identified not Hwang In-beom's technical ability but his physical condition as the sole source of concern. Since joining Feyenoord in the summer of 2024, Hwang In-beom has missed a total of 37 matches. Particularly in the 2025–2026 season, he suffered frequent injuries and appeared in only 24 games, with just four of those matches seeing him play the full 90 minutes.

The media stated: "There is a clear issue for Hwang In-beom. He has struggled to maintain a physical condition that allows consistent participation." It added: "Since January 2025, out of 65 matches he was available for across So Sok-tim-gwa (CEO) teams, he completed the full 90 minutes in only 11 instances."

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*This content was translated by AI.