FunPlus Phoenix is currently the strongest team in the League of Legends. They dominated Worlds 2019. According to new reports, they are set to strengthen even further with a transfer: the top laner “Khan” seems to be moving to China in 2020. This will make the best LoL team in the world even better.
What is the reinforcement? As reported by ESPN, top laner Kim “Khan” Dong-ha is transferring from SKT1 to FunPlus Phoenix.
The 23-year-old is said to have received offers from teams in North America, South Korea, and China. But he has chosen FunPlus Phoenix, the reigning world champion.
The deal is not official yet – but these trade reports from ESPN based on “sources” are almost always correct. They were right about the trade of Broxah (to Team Liquid) or Kobbe (to TSM).
FunPlus Phoenix acquires a 3rd playmaker
Who does Khan replace at FunPlus Phoenix? On the top lane, the world champion was previously Kim “GimGoon” Han-seam, also a South Korean and also 23 years old.
He played a rather inconspicuous role in the team dynamic of the Chinese. The real stars are mid-laner Doinb and jungler Tian.
In FunPlus Phoenix’s strategy, the top laner primarily needed to hold and survive his lane. In team fights, he became important. But the real plays come from the constantly roaming mid-laner and the clever jungler.
GimGoon fulfilled his role excellently at the LoL Worlds 2019, making few mistakes and being present when Doinb or Tian initiated plays. A similar role is taken by ADC Lwx in the strategy of the Chinese: he collects an incredible number of kills, but doesn’t really stand out.
How strong is Khan? Nevertheless, Khan is seen as a reinforcement. He impressed last year at SKT1 and was one of the strongest top laners at the recent Worlds 2019.
Especially in the quarter-finals against Splyce, Khan showed his full class and almost single-handedly drove the Europeans insane. Khan played a fantastic match on Kayle there.
In the end, Splyce chased him with 4 people just to kill Khan at least once. But even in that situation, Khan was able to take out Splyce’s ADC.
If this trade happens in this manner, FunPlus Phoenix would likely be an even stronger team in 2020 with even more options to hurt their opponents.
T1 allegedly planned “the biggest deal in eSports” history
Who will play at T1 then? The spot of Khan at T1, Faker’s team, will apparently be taken by the Korean, Kim “Roach” Kang-hui. He is allegedly transferring from Gen.G to SKT1.
According to ESPN, T1 actually wanted to sign the Chinese superstar, TheShy from Invictus Gaming as Khan’s successor and offered “the biggest sum ever paid in eSports” – but they couldn’t agree on a deal.
TheShy will remain in China and is expected to face Khan in the top lane in 2020.
The roster of SKT1 is set, but they have lost 3 key players: Khan, Clid, and the coach:
