TL;DR
- FPX signs three top laners including Khan from T1 and promotes two academy players
- The defending champions now field a 9-player roster, utilizing LPL’s common multi-player strategy
- Khan brings elite LCK experience but seeks first international championship success
- Academy players April and xiao7 earned promotions after LDL and NEST performances
- Strategic roster depth provides flexibility but draws mixed fan reactions on role specialization
The reigning Worlds 2019 champions, FunPlus Phoenix, have unveiled an ambitious roster strategy for the upcoming 2020 LPL season. Their starting lineup now features three distinct top lane specialists who will implement a strategic rotation system. The trio includes Kim “Khan” Dong-ha as the new marquee signing, alongside returning veteran Kim “GimGoon” Han-saem and promoted academy standout Li “xiao7” Zhong-Qi.
This comprehensive roster expansion results from multiple strategic moves: acquiring Khan through free agency, promoting xiao7 from their developmental squad, and securing GimGoon’s contract extension. The cumulative effect creates a formidable nine-player active roster for the defending titleholders. While this represents substantial depth for a championship organization, such multi-player arrangements remain standard practice within the competitive LPL ecosystem.
The strategic depth extends beyond the top lane position. Bot laner Lin “Lwx” Wei-Xiang will now share competitive responsibilities with newly promoted Zhang “April” Jun-Chao, marking another academy graduate ascending to the main roster. This systematic promotion pathway demonstrates FPX’s commitment to internal talent development.
Khan leaves T1 to join the 2019 world champions FPX
Similar to his lane partner GimGoon, Khan maintains South Korean residency while transitioning to the LPL competitive landscape. Throughout recent LCK campaigns, Khan has consistently demonstrated elite performance levels, establishing himself among Korea’s premier top lane specialists. However, his international tournament achievements haven’t yet matched the championship pedigree that FunPlus Phoenix demonstrated with their 2019 Worlds victory.
Khan arrives at FunPlus Phoenix following an impressive final season with T1, where he competed alongside legendary mid laner Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok. During the 2019 LCK competitive year, Khan consistently performed at the highest level, contributing significantly to T1’s domestic success. The organization ultimately secured third place at Worlds 2019 after their semifinal elimination by G2 Esports – the same European squad that FPX subsequently dominated in the championship match.
Strategic Insight: Khan’s transition represents a calculated risk for both player and organization. While he brings proven mechanical excellence, his adaptation to FPX’s distinct playstyle and communication dynamics will determine the signing’s ultimate success. Teams often struggle with integrating star players who must adjust to established team dynamics and strategic approaches.
Beyond acquiring established Korean talent, FunPlus Phoenix demonstrates equal commitment to cultivating homegrown prospects. The organization provides April and xiao7 with their inaugural opportunities to demonstrate capabilities at the LPL competitive tier. Both players competed throughout the 2019 LDL regular season representing FunPlus Blaze, achieving a respectable fourth-place finish in the developmental league.
These emerging talents previously gained valuable experience competing alongside the main FPX roster during NEST 2019. While their collective performance during that tournament failed to secure immediate roster positions, the experience provided crucial development opportunities against elite competition. The organization’s patience with their progression highlights a long-term developmental philosophy.
Common Rookie Pitfall: Many promoted academy players struggle with the accelerated pace and heightened pressure of premier league competition. Successful transitions typically require 3-6 months of adjustment, during which performance consistency often fluctuates dramatically. Teams must balance development opportunities with competitive results during this adjustment phase.
FunPlus Phoenix’s coaching staff maintains confidence that their promoted prospects have demonstrated sufficient growth to contribute at the LPL level alongside established veterans. While most supporters acknowledge the organizational logic behind these promotions, significant portions of the fanbase express concerns regarding the diluted focus on primary starters for each competitive position.
Strategic Advantage Analysis: Multi-player rosters provide distinct benefits in today’s competitive landscape. They enable specialized preparation for specific opponents, manage player fatigue during demanding split schedules, and create internal competition that drives continuous improvement. However, teams must carefully balance these advantages against potential chemistry development challenges and strategic consistency concerns.
For teams building competitive rosters, our Class Guide provides valuable insights into role specialization strategies that can be applied across different esports titles. The principles of understanding position-specific requirements translate well to League of Legends’ lane assignments and champion specialties.
Action Checklist
- Analyze team composition needs across all positions before making signing decisions
- Evaluate academy talent progression through competitive metrics and scrim performance
- Develop clear role specialization plans for multi-player positions
- Create integration timeline for new signings with specific adaptation milestones
- Monitor fan sentiment and communicate strategic rationale for roster decisions
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » FunPlus Phoenix signs Khan, extends GimGoon for 2020 LPL season FPX builds strategic 9-player roster with Khan addition and academy promotions for 2020 LPL season