Drama at T1: A Team Struggles to “Contribute”
In recent days, the drama surrounding T1 has been heating up, with new developments unfolding, particularly involving one key name: Zeus. Many opinions suggest that Zeus’s departure has highlighted T1’s current struggle to find a suitable replacement for their main roster. However, it might be that Zeus’s exit has inadvertently generated this drama.
Specifically, prior to this, there had been little progress regarding a replacement for the star player and the ongoing drama surrounding T1 – Zeus, particularly in the context of the current roster. Of course, each side has its own reasoning, and T1’s tendency to rely on Zeus makes it challenging to imagine a “second Zeus” in the future. Nonetheless, T1 has the authority and has taken measures to ensure that such a situation does not occur.
The name that has been “brought up” for T1 to consider replacing Zeus is none other than Gumayusi. Broadly speaking, the 2002-born player possesses all the “ingredients” for T1’s management to consider him as a “god-tier” player: he has emerged from the T1 training camp, boasts a fanbase that rivals only Faker, and has shown remarkable talent, unique personality, and high potential. Importantly, Gumayusi is projected to be T1’s new face in the near future.
Therefore, it is not Oner (a player often criticized for his poor performance) or Keria (a player with a rather “cold” demeanor); Gumayusi would be an excellent fit for T1, especially for those looking to replicate Zeus’s “legacy.” The 1+1 agreement with Gumayusi, if set in stone, could provide some future choices while ensuring that T1 does not fall into the trap of being overly reliant on their previous star player.
The Smash Incident and Its Impact on T1
T1 has yet to truly capitalize on the potential of the Smash incident. This team has been consistent throughout the 2024 season but has not shown exceptional performance. Their top 4 Challenger achievement owes largely to the contributions of Rekkles – a superstar from the LEC and other names, such as Poby, who have had “study abroad” experiences in the LCK.
It is clear that Smash has been a significant presence in the team, taking over from Gumayusi, which was a very bold move. To clarify, due to the mistakes made by the current management, this young player has had to endure pressures that could be considered overwhelming for a rookie. Moreover, there is a risk of jeopardizing Smash’s career if T1’s results do not meet expectations this season.
The challenges T1 faces in avoiding the pressures of replacing Zeus are indicative of a broader team dynamic. However, the recent struggles have also made it clear that the current roster is under considerable strain, making it critical for the team to find a resolution that benefits both players and management.
