His farewell gave rise to a power vacuum that lasted a year. Because Kim Min-Jae, sold to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 for 55 million euros, was in fact not replaced. De Laurentiis tried to buy the Brazilian Natan, his first experience outside Brazil and in Europe, but without great results other than having to loan him to Betis of Seville, now a starter. The South Korean had been purchased a year earlier to replace Kalidou Koulibaly, amidst the general skepticism that was felt.
Instead Kim Min-Jae was a dominator for twelve months. Almost no one managed to dribble past him, giving a consistency and strength to the blue rearguard that was even an improvement on Koulibaly himself. It is probably also a question of timing and alchemy, because it is difficult to think that he is absolutely stronger than the Senegalese who, however, has never lifted the Serie A trophy, despite being one of its best performers for some time. After De Ligt – 70 million – he is our Serie A’s most expensive defender ever, tied with Cristian Romero.
About two years ago Kim himself spoke like this about his nickname and about life under Vesuvius. “It’s not difficult to recognize me on the street in Naples, I really like the nickname ‘The Monster’, it sums up my positive attributes as a defender.” Kim Min-Jae turns 28 today.