IG Faces Threats from the “Weakest Link” as TheShy Struggles
Before the 2025 season begins, IG is seen as the ‘weak link’ in the competitive landscape of LPL after acquiring several star players. With the return of TheShy and Rookie, along with new faces like Meiko, Jiejie, and GALA, IG is considered a ‘super team’ in LPL, potentially making a strong push for the playoffs. However, as LPL prepares for intense competition, IG’s performance has not been as promising as expected. In fact, this lineup suffered a setback against NIP led by Doinb, losing 2-0, which casts doubt on their playoff ambitions for LPL 2025 Split 1.
This weekend, IG will face FPX in a must-win match to secure a playoff spot. A loss could significantly diminish their chances of advancing from the group stage, especially with the current “dark times” surrounding the team, largely attributed to TheShy’s performance. LPL fans have observed that TheShy seems to be struggling, with a win rate of only 45% in ranked matches. Moreover, TheShy has been ‘benched’ by a player who had previously shown promise in the past, further raising concerns among his supporters.
It’s important to note that TheShy has publicly acknowledged that ranking in League of Legends does not hold much significance, which may lead fans to feel disconnected from his seemingly continuous losses. However, a troubling issue arises from the fact that TheShy has not been actively training with the team for an extended period. According to reports from Sohu in the LPL division, TheShy has not logged into League of Legends from January 24 to February 7 (approximately two weeks). This situation has left many LPL fans concerned and questioning the training regimen of this young player.
IG and TheShy Need to Strengthen Their Performance to Avoid Playoff Elimination
Considering the recent expenditures on “star players” to bolster IG, fans expect a stronger synergy and improved performance from the team. In comparison, TES during the 2024 season (who also ‘invested’ heavily to secure star players) highlighted the pressure that builds during the LPL Spring 2024 group stage, where they only faced a loss against BLG. Meanwhile, IG failed to achieve similar results even in their recent match against RNG, where they needed a standout performance to secure a win.
The current lack of coherent strategies in IG’s gameplay has left fans feeling anxious about the team’s future prospects. The focus on TheShy has become a double-edged sword, resulting in increased scrutiny and criticism towards the team as they strive to regain their footing. Therefore, IG must intensify their training efforts in the coming days to prepare for their clash against FPX and temporarily dispel any doubts lingering from external sources. If not, they risk becoming a “laughing stock” despite their hefty investments in star talent without yielding favorable outcomes.
