Meiko's contract extension breaks fans' expectations

Since IG became the first LOL team to make the top 17 at Worlds, many IG fans have hoped for roster reinforcements during the transfer window. The current IG lineup ceiling leaves many fans dissatisfied. Many believe that with Meiko as support, IG cannot win the world championship because Meiko’s performance over the entire year has been unstable. Thus, many IG fans hoped IG would replace the support position with a stronger player. However, what shocked many IG fans was the recent leak that IG has renewed contracts for all players.

The insider's basis is that LPL players must renew with their current teams before the 18th, otherwise they enter the player auction pool. Recently, IG’s official account posted about a commercial event where the whole team will meet fans offline on the 22nd. This led many LPL viewers to speculate that IG has renewed contracts for the entire roster. LPL champion coach Zhu Kai also analyzed for IG fans during a livestream, explaining the benefits of IG renewing all contracts. Zhu Kai believes that if IG really renews everyone, it will be positive for both players and management.

Is IG renewing all contracts a good thing?

Although many IG fans dislike Meiko, Zhu Kai considers the full roster renewal a positive development. IG has very few transfer points in the LPL transfer period, making it difficult to acquire strong jungle and support players. TES, BLG, and AL all have roster gaps: TES lacks support and jungle, BLG lacks jungle, and AL lacks AD carry. If IG wants to strengthen during the transfer window, they can only pick from players unwanted by TES, BLG, and AL — who may be weaker than Wei, Meiko, or Gala.

Finally, Zhu Kai revealed during the livestream that IG is the only LPL team currently making money. IG leads the LPL in commercial events and sponsorships, so the management doesn’t need to make extra moves during the transfer window — just renewing all contracts guarantees next year’s revenue. For the players, full renewal is also beneficial because under LPL’s new transfer rules, you don’t even know your future teammates. It’s better to play another year with old teammates, especially since IG’s current roster looks decent on paper.

Is the best LPL manager the one who smiles?

Not long ago, during a livestream, Tabe expressed a strong desire to keep the entire AL roster for another year. Many LPL viewers thought this was difficult since AL’s jungle and support values soared after this season. Especially AL support Kael was rumored to have met privately with GEN staff during the transfer period. Unexpectedly, insiders recently revealed that AL has fully renewed their jungle and support contracts, and AL’s official account even posted on social media that "Kael is diligently learning Chinese."

With insider and Kael’s dual revelations, many viewers now look forward to AL’s future performances. Tabe even lamented during the livestream that AL was just one step away from the world championship this year. Many believe if AL had defeated T1, they could have beaten KT as well. Of course, many want to know if AL will strengthen their AD carry role next year. AL’s biggest weakness against T1 was the underperformance of their ADC, Hope. Many AL fans hope for an ADC replacement. What do you think — will AL change their AD carry in the future?

Conclusion

Personally, I think it’s acceptable for both IG and AL to renew all contracts. The LPL environment is indeed quite impatient nowadays. If the "Galactic Battleship" fails to win the championship, it will disband next year. What do you think — if AL and IG keep their current rosters for another year, can they become the big kings of the LPL? TES and BLG hold the first and second highest transfer points in the LPL. Which players do you think these two teams should acquire?