Players to Watch in the LEC 2019 Season
The LEC 2019 season is about to begin, and with it comes a wave of changes in team rosters. Fans are eager to see how the new European teams will perform on the Rift.
We all have players that we’re particularly excited to watch, even if we don’t support their teams. One player that everyone has their eye on is G2’s Luka “Perkz” Perković, who has transitioned from mid lane to bot lane. Perkz has faced criticism for alleged poaching, and his performance in this new role will be closely scrutinized.
Aside from Perkz, there are several other players who could potentially have a breakout season in 2019. Here are five players to keep an eye on when the LEC kicks off on Jan. 18:
- G2 bot laner Perkz
- Misfits mid laner Fabian “Febiven” Diepstraten
- Splyce mid laner Marek “Humanoid” Brázda
- Vitality jungler Lee “Mowgli” Jae-ha
- Origen bot laner Patrik “Patrik” Jírů
Perkz’s Transition to Bot Lane
Let’s start with Perkz. G2’s decision to move their star player from mid lane to bot lane was a bold move. They also added Fnatic’s Rasmus “Caps” Winther to their roster, creating an incredibly strong mid lane competition in the region.
However, the success of this transition will depend heavily on support player Mihael “Mikyx” Mehle. Mikyx has the opportunity to help Perkz adjust to this new role while seeking redemption against his former team, Misfits.
Perkz has shown his ability to succeed in a duo lane during the 2018 funnel meta. In 2019, he has the chance to demonstrate his versatility and team-building skills even further.
Febiven’s Return to Europe
Another mid laner worth watching is Febiven. After a stint in North America, Febiven is back in Europe with Misfits. This team is being touted as a potential super team due to the talent they’ve assembled.
Febiven’s performance this season will be crucial in determining whether Misfits can fulfill their potential and make a deep run at Worlds. His past success with EU teams at Worlds is well-known, but last year he had a less than stellar performance with Clutch Gaming in NA.
Humanoid’s Rookie Season
Splyce’s rookie mid laner, Humanoid, is also one to watch. He has played for various renowned regional teams and now has the opportunity to prove himself in the big leagues.
There will be a lot of pressure on the young player, as Splyce had some struggles adapting to the meta in 2018. The departure of their former mid laner, Nisqy, also adds to the challenge. However, if Humanoid can perform well and the rest of the team can step up, Splyce has the potential to go beyond just making the playoffs.
Mowgli’s Potential Impact
Vitality’s new jungler, Mowgli, could have a significant impact on the team’s performance. Vitality saw success last summer when they added jungler Kikis to their roster, but they have now chosen to move on from him and bring in Mowgli.
Mowgli has always played to support his lanes, which aligns well with Vitality’s aggressive style. If he can help propel the team back to Worlds, it would be a validation of the risk they took in recruiting him. Importing Korean players without Korean teammates has historically been a challenge for Western teams, but Vitality and Mowgli aim to break the mold in 2019.
Patrik’s Opportunity to Shine
Last but not least, Origen’s bot laner, Patrik, formerly known as Sheriff, has a chance to prove himself as a star player. H2k built their team around him last year, with some success, but Origen is hoping he can deliver even more.
Patrik joins a revamped Origen roster that is built to win now. His performance will play a crucial role in determining the team’s success in 2019.
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