How much is Cong Phuong worth?
In recent days, news that Cong Phuong has ended his contract with Yokohama FC to return to Vietnam to play has been attracting a lot of attention from fans. So, what would be a reasonable price to have Cong Phuong in the squad?
At 29, a player's career is at its peak, so the name...Cong PhuongHe certainly remains a hot name in the transfer market. However, the price to acquire this striker from Do Luong is not cheap (around 8 billion VND/season), so not many teams in Vietnam can afford it. Especially since Cong Phuong will not be able to participate in the early stages of the 2024/2025 V.League season.
This means the 29-year-old striker can only participate in the First Division – a league whose reputation and professional level are still quite far behind the V.League. This is an advantage for Cong Phuong, as the First Division will be a good environment for the striker from Nghe An to regain his match fitness and form. This is especially true considering that Cong Phuong has only played in 3 matches and 85 minutes in 2 years in Japan.
However, from a certain perspective, this multi-million dollar deal is a gamble for the clubs wanting to secure Cong Phuong's signature. Admittedly, the first benefit is that the appeal of this striker from Do Luong remains very strong. Cong Phuong's presence will help attract more spectators to the stadium.
However, if Cong Phuong doesn't perform well in the first few matches, this appeal could completely disappear. This is entirely possible, given the lingering questions about Cong Phuong's motivation. If he still had the desire to play, why didn't CP10 return to Vietnam sooner after a season in which he only played one minute?
It's often said, "Form is temporary, class is permanent," but the last time Vietnamese fans witnessed Cong Phuong's class was in the friendly match against the Palestine national team on November 9, 2023, where he played for 45 minutes and provided one assist.
Meanwhile, the last goal scored by the former Hoang Anh Gia Lai striker was more than two years ago. That was a goal against Ho Chi Minh City FC in Hoang Anh Gia Lai's 1-2 defeat. It can be said that the statistics are against Cong Phuong, and it is predicted that this return to Vietnam will be extremely difficult for the player born in 1995.
Of course, the two years in Japan were not wasted for Cong Phuong. The professional style and attitude in training and competition in the Land of the Rising Sun provided a foundation for the striker from Do Luong to maintain his form and feel. Therefore, if given the best environment, Cong Phuong can still develop his strengths.
Leaving aside the price tag, Cong Phuong remains a quality domestic player that any team would want to have. And his performances on the field will answer the question: What is Cong Phuong's value?
Hopefully, Vietnamese fans will soon see again the Cong Phuong who once captivated so many with his skillful and tricky ball handling.