Jesse Lingard sends out emotional message as he continues recovery from injury amid nightmare start to life in South Korea with FC Seoul

Since his arrival at FC Seoul, Lingard's on-field performance has been overshadowed by a series of unfortunate events. With just 105 minutes of playtime spread across the first six games, Lingard's impact on the pitch has been minimal. Furthermore, his stint was interrupted by knee surgery, adding to his woes and limiting his opportunities to showcase his talents. Seoul’s coach has also questioned his role in the team as he has struggled to live up to expectations in South Korea.

Despite the criticism, Lingard remains determined to bounce back to form after successfully recovering from his injury. In his Instagram story, Lingard shared a post, which read: "Sometimes you end up in places you never thought you'd be in, to develop strength you never thought you had."

@jesselinagrd Instagram

Lingard's experience echoes that of other British players who ventured into Asia. Paul Gascoigne's brief stint in China and Gary Lineker's injury-plagued tenure in Japan serve as reminders of the difficulties foreign players may encounter in adapting to new environments.

In the context of South Korean football, Lingard's challenges are not unique. While some foreign players have enjoyed success in the K-League, others have struggled to make an impact. Former Burnley striker Andy Cooke experienced a prolific spell with Busan two decades ago, contrasting with the less memorable tenures of players like Chris Marsden and Jordon Mutch

The K-League, renowned for its high standards, stands as one of the top football leagues in Asia, alongside Japan's J-League and Saudi Arabia's Professional League. It remains to be seen if Linagard can rise to the challenge of proving his worth in a new setting thousands of miles away from the English shores.