TL;DR
- Cloud9 plans to move Fudge back to top lane after one split in mid, creating mid lane vacancy
- Support position also undergoing changes with Zven potentially role-swapping from ADC
- Nisqy reunion unlikely as he joins MAD Lions, making Copy promotion probable
- International import options remain available from Europe or Korea
- All changes stem from disappointing 0-3 playoff loss to Evil Geniuses

Significant roster adjustments appear imminent for Cloud9 as they prepare for the critical 2022 LCS Summer Split campaign.
The offseason period has commenced for organizations not participating in the 2022 Mid-Season Invitational, with Cloud9 emerging as the initial team subject to substantial transformation rumors. According to Upcomer’s investigative reporting, the franchise is strongly considering transitioning Ibrahim “Fudge” Allami from his mid lane assignment back to his original top lane role following just a single split experiment. This strategic pivot would consequently displace Park “Summit” Woo-tae from his current position, requiring him to secure alternative team placement before the upcoming competitive segment begins.
Concurrent support position modifications are reportedly under evaluation, where both Kim “Winsome” Dong-keon and Jonah “Isles” Rosario have demonstrated inconsistent performance outcomes throughout the spring split. To address this positional instability, speculation indicates that C9 Academy bot laner and seasoned professional Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen might undergo role transition to occupy the support slot after spending previous split outside primary LCS competition.
[Sources] Cloud9 are making roster changes for summer. Fudge 🇦🇺 is expected to return to the toplane. The team is also exploring options in midlane and support.
C9A will also have changeshttps://t.co/iaZt9xsr06
— LEC Wooloo (@LEC_Wooloo) April 26, 2022
Despite Cloud9’s respectable regular season performance metrics, their playoff elimination proved dramatically underwhelming, culminating in a decisive 0-3 defeat against Evil Geniuses. The proposed roster alterations seemingly represent direct organizational response to this competitive disappointment.
Who will be C9’s mid laner in the 2022 LCS Summer Split?
Fudge has generally received positive evaluation for his adaptation to mid lane responsibilities during his inaugural split in this unfamiliar position. However, Cloud9 encountered significant performance volatility during critical playoff matches, with imported top laner Summit particularly targeted and exploited by opposing team strategies. Notwithstanding Summit’s acquisition of regular-season Most Valuable Player honors, these achievements appear insufficient to guarantee roster retention, particularly given Fudge’s anticipated rapid reacclimatization to top lane demands.
Professional analysts note that role transitions typically require 2-3 splits for complete mastery, making Fudge’s rapid adjustment particularly impressive. His return to top lane creates strategic stability in that position while simultaneously generating new selection challenges for the now-vacant mid lane assignment.
The support position instability represents another critical area requiring organizational attention. Both Winsome and Isles demonstrated fluctuating form throughout the spring, creating inconsistency in bottom lane coordination. Zven’s potential transition from ADC to support follows emerging LCS trends of role flexibility, though such changes demand substantial practice investment and strategic adaptation.
Successful role swaps typically necessitate 200-300 hours of dedicated practice before competitive readiness. This potential move could leverage Zven’s extensive game knowledge while addressing team composition weaknesses identified during playoff analysis.
Fudge’s positional reversion inevitably creates mid lane vacancy, prompting Cloud9’s management to explore multiple candidate options. Initial considerations included re-acquiring former C9 mid laner Yasin “Nisqy” Dinçer, though this possibility now appears improbable given his anticipated commitment to MAD Lions. This development positions C9 Academy mid laner Jouhan “Copy” Pathmanathan as the most likely internal promotion candidate.
Cloud9 maintains import slot availability for mid lane recruitment, preserving opportunities to source talent from European regional leagues or Korean competitive circuits. International recruitment offers expanded candidate pools but introduces additional adaptation challenges including language barriers and cultural adjustment periods.
Successful import integrations typically require 4-6 weeks of team synergy development before optimal performance levels.
The organization retains flexibility to pursue international talent acquisition for mid lane reinforcement, with European and Korean regions presenting viable sourcing options. Each geographical region offers distinct strategic advantages: European players typically demonstrate strong macro understanding, while Korean imports often excel in mechanical execution and lane dominance.
While Cloud9 has not officially confirmed any roster modifications, industry expectations anticipate announcement releases within forthcoming weeks. Team chemistry development remains paramount, with optimal roster decisions balancing individual skill with collaborative potential.
Effective team building in esports requires careful consideration of communication styles, strategic alignment, and complementary champion pools between players.
Action Checklist
- Monitor official Cloud9 announcements for roster confirmation
- Analyze Academy team performance for Copy’s promotion readiness
- Research international mid lane talent availability in European and Korean regions
- Evaluate team chemistry indicators during early split performances
- Assess strategic cohesion in Cloud9’s early Summer Split matches
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » If Cloud9 moves Fudge top, who’s playing mid next in the LCS? Analyzing Cloud9's mid lane roster options and strategic implications for the 2022 LCS Summer Split
