Lee’s Transfer Refusal May be Costly

The cost for refusing to be transferred may be high.

Lee Young-pyo (29, Tottenham Hotspur) rejected moving to Italy’s AS Roma and now seems to be in a quandary.

According to Reuters on September 1, Tottenham coach Martin Jol brought in Pascal Chimbonda (age 27), a member of the French national team, as the right wingback from Wigan Athletic. Chimbonda had been up for the job as Tottenham transferred Lee to AS Roma. However, Lee’s transfer was cancelled but Chimbonda still got to wear the uniform of Tottenham. Tottenham paid six million pounds (about 11 billion won) for Chimbonda’s transfer. This is the highest ever in team history.

Chimbonda was selected as a member of the French national team for this year’s World Cup but slipping behind Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munchen), he did not have the chance to play in any games. However, he took an active part in the main line in English Premier League.

Accordingly, Lee Young-pyo has turned over the left wingback job to Benoit Assou-Ekotto from Cameroon, and is now fighting over the right side with Chimbonda. Coach Jol has welcomed Lee’s stay, but since Chimbonda has been paid such a high transfer fee, it seems difficult to hope for the coach’s protection, as he would have to burden the criticism of the team’s managing company and fans if Chimbonda was not appointed.

In particular in the European soccer field, the transfer is usually finalized when the player agrees to it but if the transfer is denied between the teams, there are many cases where the player may be held culpable and stick to the bench or wander about other teams on a lease contract. Lee Young-pyo’s future does not seem too bright.

yjongk@donga.com