Clearlove embroiled in public controversy

As the popularity of the LPL league continues to decline, many sponsors behind the LPL have chosen to withdraw this season. Several LPL teams have decided to "tank" their performance, and insiders have revealed that the TT and UP teams may announce disbandment next year. Because of the current poor environment in the LPL, the top team EDG declared Clearlove’s comeback this season, which delighted many EDG supporters, but many LPL viewers see this as EDG capitalizing on fan nostalgia.

Fans who have followed Clearlove’s coaching career know that he has never achieved satisfactory results in that role. Last year, under his leadership, JDG even lost to a Vietnamese team. After EDG lost to WE in the LPL season opener, Clearlove’s reputation plummeted. On a certain League of Legends forum, many viewers suggested that Clearlove should retire, and some even claimed that as long as Clearlove remains on EDG, the team will never qualify for the playoffs.

Fans criticize EDG’s mid laner as too weak

Although many LPL viewers blame Clearlove for EDG’s loss to WE, many of his supporters argue that the main reason for the defeat was EDG’s mid laner, Angel. In that match, Angel was outperformed by WE’s mid laner Karis both in laning and team fights, especially with Angel’s skills often missing their targets during fights. Therefore, many EDG fans hope the management will replace the mid laner, so Clearlove won’t be forced to take the blame every time EDG loses.

Personally, after reviewing Clearlove’s team drafts, I feel his picks are generally reasonable. In the second game, EDG gained a huge early kill lead and a 6000 gold advantage, yet EDG played timidly in team fights and were eventually turned around by WE. EDG’s mid-game strategy was truly baffling. (What do you think is the reason for EDG’s loss to WE: poor player skill or ineffective coaching by Clearlove?)

Redmi issues a late-night apology

Since jungler Kanavi and coach Redmi left the LPL to join an LCK team, they have been labeled “traitors,” frequently making sarcastic remarks about the LPL during interviews. Kanavi blamed the loss to T1 on the top and support players, while coach Redmi has taken on the role of an LCK “wolf,” repeatedly praising the strength of the LCK in interviews. Many LPL fans eagerly awaited HLE’s performance to see if Kanavi and Redmi could lead HLE to become a top-tier LCK powerhouse.

However, after the crucial match between HLE and T1, jungler Kanavi and coach Redmi were heavily criticized, with many viewers calling HLE’s investment in them a huge mistake. Especially during the do-or-die draft phase against T1, coach Redmi surprisingly handed over the first three picks to T1’s jungler with Nocturne, mid with Orianna, and support with Bard—T1’s signature combo. Many LCK fans believe that after spending so long in the LPL, coach Redmi no longer fits the LCK’s playstyle. Redmi later posted a late-night apology, admitting that his drafting mistakes led to HLE’s loss to T1.