It all confirmed that here was the Taegeuk Warriors’ best striker and one of Asia’s biggest names. It was also a reminder of the early days in his career. Taking the 2004 Asian Youth Championships by storm, he turned professional in 2005 and literally quadrupled attendances in the K-League everywhere he went with FC Seoul. He played well too, finishing his first season as second-highest goalscorer and making his international debut for South Korea in June, netting a last-minute equaliser in a vital World Cup qualifier in Uzbekistan. Quick, two-footed, good in the air and intelligent, there seemed to be nothing he couldn’t do and talk of Chelsea interest was welcomed as natural.