T1 continues to have one of their worst starts in history at the LCK, with 3 consecutive losses following the same scenario of being “reverse swept”. Even after making a series of personnel changes, along with the presence of the world champion coaching duo Daeny and Zefa, the team that has won the Korean League of Legends championship 9 times has yet to show any signs of improvement (if any, it has only been the rare brilliance of AD Carry Gumayusi).
However, while the seniors are struggling to regain their former glory, in the second division of the LCK – LCK CL, the players from T1’s academy – T1 Challengers are showing a completely opposite face.
After 3 rounds of the LCK CL Spring 2021, T1 Challengers is currently the only team in the CL that has not tasted defeat. They have won all 3 matches played against the Liiv SANDBOX Challengers, Gen.G Challengers, and Nongshim RedForce Challengers.
T1’s academy team currently boasts many notable names such as the legendary Bengi – currently serving as head coach, Roach – last season’s substitute top laner for T1, and Berserker – the homegrown talent from T1 in the AD Carry position.
The impressive performance of Faker’s “younger brothers” can also be considered a consolation for T1 fans at this time. Because even though they are struggling in the highest competitions, T1 has never been short of promising young talents. And if Canna, Ellim, Faker, Clozer… continue to underperform, T1 will still have promising options to bolster the main roster.
Not to mention, in the current T1 lineup, there are up to 7 out of 10 players who are “homegrown”, including Canna, Zeus, Ellim, Oner, Clozer, Faker, Gumayusi. This proves how outstanding T1’s scouting team is at finding precious gems.
It’s just unfortunate that the development of the T1 youth academy still cannot keep pace with the “resurgence” of newly emerging forces, exemplified by Griffin in the past or DWG KIA at present.