Ulsan’s Japanese midfielder Esaka “Friendship with Amano? Pressure? Not at all”

Ulsan Hyundai’s new Japanese midfielder Esaka (31) kept quiet about Amano (32), who transferred to Jeonbuk Hyundai this season after playing for the previous team.

Esaka said at the 2023 K-League Winter Field Training Media Camp held at Lotte City Hotel Ulsan, Nam-gu, Ulsan on the afternoon of the 16th, “I am thrilled to have a new challenge in Korea.”

Esaka, who played for Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan’s J1 League last season, moved to Ulsan in the K-League ahead of this season. Last year, Ulsan’s midfield was protected by Amano. With Amano, Ulsan lifted the K League 1 championship trophy after 17 years. 슬롯사이트

This year, Amano moved to Jeonbuk, a rival team of Hyundai. Having lost a midfielder, Ulsan recruited Esaka to replace Amano.

Regarding the comparison with Amano, Esaka replied, “I know that many Japanese players have passed through Ulsan,” but “I have nothing to say about the part that is compared to Amano.”

He emphasized, “I have no acquaintance with Amano at all.” He also added that there was “no pressure” on Amano, who was very active in the previous season.

Esaka evaluated his strengths as “positioning and using both feet.” He explained, “I had a longing for a new challenge, and at that timing, an offer from Ulsan, the K-League champion, came.”

Ulsan and Jeonbuk heated up even before the start of the season due to Amano transfer issues. On the 25th of next month, the official opening game of the 2023 season K League 1 is also’Hyundai Derby’

Regarding the rivalry between Ulsan and Jeonbuk, Esaka said, “Before Ulsan won the championship, Jeonbuk continued to win, so I knew it was a rivalry.” He promised victory, saying, “I think the first game of the opening will be the most important game. I will show a good game.”