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Hwang Hee-chan is definitely making progress.

The Premier League PL secretariat compared and analyzed Hwang Hee-chan's 2021-22, 2022-23 seasons and major statistics for this season in detail on its official SNS channel on the 28th.

It is a remarkable change. First, Hwang Hee-chan has scored eight goals in all of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. This season, Hwang Hee-chan has scored 10 goals in 19 rounds, more than in the last two seasons. Hwang Hee-chan, who has played in 57 games in two seasons, has scored more goals in 19 games this season.

What was even more surprising was Hwang Hee-chan's expected score xG value. The xG value is a numerical value obtained by analyzing the coordinates of the shooting point, distance and angle to the goal, and pass connection status with AI to calculate the probability of success. If the probability of successful scoring is high, the xG value increases, and if the probability of successful scoring is low, the xG value is set low.

Hwang Hee-chan's xG value in the last two seasons was 7.34. When Hwang Hee-chan shot, he had to score 7.34 goals, but he made a much higher eight. This season, he broke expectations even more. Hwang Hee-chan's xG value this season was 5.72 goals, but he scored as many as 4.28 more by scoring 10 more.

It is Hwang Hee-chan, who has a very high conversion rate compared to effective shooting. Hwang Hee-chan, who scored eight goals with 19 shots on goal in the last two seasons, has scored 10 goals out of 11 shots on goal this season. Indeed, if it is kicked, it leads to a goal. Hwang Hee-chan has scored 0.14 goals per game, but he has scored 0.53 goals this season, showing a very high scoring rate.

It is also encouraging that he is scoring with various routes. Looking at Hwang Hee-chan's stat on the PL's official website, he scored two goals with his header, six with his right foot, two with his left foot, and one goal with a penalty kick. He tried shooting 32 times in total, and 11 shots on target were accurate at 34 percent. He hit the net once, and missed big chances five times.

To sum up the stat, Hwang Hee-chan has improved. After spending his youth in Pohang Steelers, Hwang Hee-chan immediately moved to Europe. His destination was Salzburg, Austria. Hwang Hee-chan immediately went on loan and gained experience with the satellite club FC Reaper, and he joined Salzburg from the mid-2015-16 season. Hwang Hee-chan showed off his potential by scoring 12 league goals in 2016-17.

He also challenged himself to the German stage. Hwang Hee-chan moved to Hamburg on loan in the 2018-19 season and experienced the German Bundesliga 2. However, due to his injury, he failed to play this season and only scored two goals and one assist in 20 games. After returning to Salzburg, Hwang made his name known to Europe by playing well in the league and the UEFA Champions League. At that time, Hwang scored 16 goals and 22 assists in all competitions.

He transferred to Leipzig for this performance, but was not given proper playing time as he was not selected by Julian Nagelsmann. Eventually, Hwang Hee-chan left on loan for Wolverhampton in the 2021-22 season. The loan choice was a success.

Hwang Hee-chan made his debut as a substitute against Watford in his debut match. Hwang Hee-chan, who continued his confidence, scored multiple goals in the match against Newcastle United and goals in the match against Leeds United. He made a clear impression by winning the Wolverhampton Fan's October Player of the Month.

Wolverhampton has fully recruited Hwang Hee-chan and will continue his career until 2026. Replying to his team's trust, Hwang had five goals and one assist in 30 games in his first Premier League season. The figure is the second highest by a Korean player in the history of PL debut, and the second highest by a player in Wolverhampton.

Hwang Hee-chan is flying in the third season at Wolverhampton. He has scored 10 goals and two assists in the league this season, ranking fifth overall in the PL scoring rankings. He has scored double digits in the PL following Son Heung-min.

Oscar Garcia, who previously coached Hwang Hee-chan in Salzburg, even gave a thumbs-up to 'The Athlete,' saying, "We trained a lot in the afternoon with our coaches and goalkeepers. It was to improve Hwang Hee-chan's finishing ability. He had many chances to score, but his goal conversion rate was not high. He trained so much with him, and he was always ready to learn and improve. Hwang Hee-chan is fast. And he is good at being in the right position at the right time."

Coach Gary O'Neill, who is currently leading Hwang, also applauded his ability. O'Neill praised Hwang, saying, "Hwang Hee-chan has scored a lot of points only because of his hard work. He knows where he should be and when he should not be. Hwang knows that when he reaches a certain position, his chance to score comes. He has shown that he has the ability to score points."

Wolverhampton also offered to renew his contract with this performance. In the end, Hwang Hee-chan decided to accompany Wolverhampton. On the 22nd, Wolverhampton officially announced on its website that "Wolverhampton's top scorer Hwang Hee-chan has promised his future to the club with a new long-term contract until 2028. A one-year extension option is included."

He added, "Hwang Hee-chan first moved on loan in 2021, and he is currently enjoying his best season with Gary O'Neill's team, scoring nine goals before Christmas. After scoring his debut goal for Watford two years ago, Hwang was quick to show his ruthlessness in front of goal. Multiple goals in the 2-1 win over Newcastle United made Wolverhampton his forever home."

There was not only a steep upturn. "Hwang Hee-chan's form was delayed last season due to injury and rotation, but he set the tone for the 2023-24 season with three goals in the last 10 matches of the league," Wolverhampton said. "There are only five players who have scored more goals in the Premier League than Hwang this season. He has scored nine goals in all competitions, and has formed a good partnership with Pedro Netu and Matheus Cunha."

Hwang Hee-chan rewrote Wolverhampton's history. "Hwang Hee-chan has tied John Richards' record for scoring goals in six consecutive home games, and he has become the first Wolverhampton player to fly and score six goals in 10 league games since Derek Duggan 50 years ago," Wolverhampton noted.

Wolverhampton Sports Director Matt Hobbs said, "Hwang Hee-chan hasn't always been smooth since he arrived, but he has always done his best for the club. The fans are really grateful for what he does on the ground. He scored and became an important part of the team. All of this is a fair reward for his actions on and off the field."

"Hwang Hee-chan has been fully involved with the club, he loves the area, he can see his love for the fans. It suits him very well and allows him to remain a very important player for us for a long time. Good players can see what's going on at Compton and what we're trying to build," he added.

Lastly, he gave a thumbs-up, saying, "We are reorganizing our clubs and moving forward again. We want to be part of the project. Important players may find it easy to simply praise their coaches and coaching staff through the media, but this shows true commitment and faith."

Wolverhampton shared Hwang Hee-chan's feelings through its official website. Hwang Hee-chan said, "I'm very happy to stay here. I want to say thank you to my team members, staff, family, and fans. I'm very happy to stay in Wolverhampton."

He added, "I'm enjoying playing here and everything, life and football. I have a very good team and players and everything here is amazing. I'm ready to continue to play well and give everything."

"Nine goals make me happy. But I want to say thank you to my teammates, coaching staff and my family. It's something I cannot do alone. My goal is for the team because I learn a lot from my coaching staff. I will do my best to help the team."

Hwang Hee-chan also said, "I won't be happy with just the new contract. Sometimes I talk about our ambitions with some players. We have the same ambitions. I have more responsibility to win, and I am ready to fight for my team."

Hwang Hee-chan also expressed his trust in O'Neill. He said, "It helped me a lot. Not only me, but also all the players, he taught a lot to the striker and defender. Very smart. As players, we know what he wants and we understand him better every week. We don't want to stop here, we don't want to be satisfied, we want to do our best and maintain the highest possible level."

Hwang Hee-chan also opened up about his players. He said, "I think they are not just team members, but good friends and good brothers. We play for each other on the field and I help them and they help me. That is why we are strong at the moment and will make us stronger."

He added, "If I can, I want to show our culture like food. Some players like this and we had a sizan together. I want to introduce more good food. I want to spend more time with my team members."


Hwang Hee-chan said of his journey with Wolverhampton so far, "It's been a good start. I scored a lot, but as the months went by, I got injured and had a hard time. I've tried to do my best every day because it was my dream to play in the PL, and it's a lot of fun. I want to show my fans a lot of good things and show people good energy, too."

Hwang Hee-chan also added, "English is one of the most important things for foreign players and me. I want to learn English well, but I am still not good enough. I am trying. I need to speak English better because I want to spend more time with my team members. I want to communicate well with my fans."

Finally, Hwang Hee-chan concluded the interview by saying, "We have a good coaching staff and good players. I really want to win every match, and I want to show good performances to my fans and bring many points. I will continue to do my best and play for my team, fans, and family. I hope we can enjoy this time, and I will do my best and keep going."

He was a step late, but he also fired a shot at renewing his contract. Hwang Hee-chan faced Chelsea in his first game after renewing his contract. At that time, Hwang Hee-chan came to the forefront, but he did not show much performance due to the thorough marks of Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi.

He met Brentford with regret. He was a fish that caught the water. Hwang Hee-chan, who played as a forward striker again on the day, scored multiple goals in the first half alone. In the 14th minute of the first half, Brentford turned the ball around from the back while handling kickoff. Collins caught the ball and sent a pass to the goalkeeper, but Hwang Hee-chan intercepted it in the middle. Hwang Hee-chan immediately scored his ninth goal in the league as he headed for the empty goal.

He scored an additional goal. In the 28th minute of the first half, Collins quickly released the ball as Wolverhampton put strong forward pressure. Gomes cleared it with a header. The ball flowed to the front as it was. Hwang Hee-chan, who caught the ball, scored multiple goals, showing a calm finish between the defense and the goalkeeper. Hwang Hee-chan's 10th goal in the league and his first double-digit goal in the PL.

Hwang Hee-chan, who scored multiple goals on the day, moved up to sixth place in the scoring rankings. Hwang Hee-chan is in the double-digit scoring ranks, following the leading scorer Erling Hallan with 14 goals, Dominic Solanke, Mohamed Salah, and 11-goal Son Heung-min and Gerod Bowen.

He is Hwang Hee-chan, who scored his 18th career goal in the PL. In the summer of 2021, Hwang Hee-chan, wearing a Wolverhampton uniform, scored a total of 18 goals, scoring five goals in the 2021-22 season, three goals in the 2022-23 season, and 10 this season. With this, he has narrowed the gap with Park Ji-sung, the "Haverge," to just one goal difference.

Park Ji-sung, whose nickname is "Habbage," short for the father of overseas soccer, served as a pioneer in overseas soccer to Korean soccer fans. He became the No. 1 Korean Premier Leaguer when he joined the Manchester United team in 2005, and played at Old Trafford for seven years until 2012. He then moved to Queens Park Rangers QPR and played for one season. Park scored 19 goals for Manchester United.

If Hwang Hee-chan scores one more goal, he will be tied for second in overall goals scored by Korean Premier Leaguers. Statistics provided by the PL Secretariat show that a total of eight Koreans have scored in the PL so far. Son Heung-min scored the most goals with 114 goals, followed by Park Ji-sung and Hwang Hee-chan. Ki Sung-yueng is in fourth place. Ki Sung-yueng scored his 15th career goal. In addition, Lee Chung-yong eight goals, Seol Ki-hyeon five goals, Ji Dong-won two goals, and Kim Bo-kyung one goal have inscribed their names in the history of the PL.

Meanwhile, Hwang Hee-chan collapsed due to injury in the match. He felt back pain in the fall of the first half and was eventually substituted. Fortunately, the injury was not significant. Hwang Hee-chan opened up about his injury condition in person after the match. In an interview with the British Amazon Prime, he was first asked about his injury. "I don't think it's a big injury. It's okay. I'm so happy to score a goal and win," Hwang Hee-chan said.

Hwang Hee-chan scored his ninth and 10th goals in the league. Hwang Hee-chan said, "I am with my teammates and wonderful coaching staff. I am enjoying being with my teammates. They provided me with good passes and choices. I am enjoying that part."

Director Gary O'Neill was not too worried. "It's back spasms. He's moving better now, and we're hopeful he'll be okay," he told BBC's Match of the Day.