League of Legends: what are the next steps for TSM after a second-straight Worlds miss?

1. Keep Bjergsen at all costs

More than any other player in franchise history, Bjergsen has been integral to TSM’s success as an org. Once hailed as one of the best western players of all time, the mid laner certainly had a down year stat-wise and performance-wise in 2019. Many around the internet are speculating that Bjergsen, whose contract expires this year, will seek to leave the team so that he can reclaim his glory and go for another shot at worlds.

That may very well make sense for Bjergsen, but it would be devastating for TSM. Even during some of his worst performances this year, Bjerg was still probably TSM’s best or second-best player and better than most mid laners in NA. If he can get back to the level of play he showed in years past, he could be an irreplaceable piece.

Bjergsen also brings many advantages to TSM beyond his performance on the Rift. He is known to be an incredibly hard-working and dedicated player, who attracts some of the most talented players from around the world to want to play with him on TSM. He also doesn’t take up an import slot, allowing his team to build around him freely with import slots.

It may seem insane for TSM to plan to rebuild again around Bjergsen, given how it has failed repeatedly in the past. But, as a long-suffering Washington Capitals fan, I can tell you that repeatedly building around a star you have confidence in while outsiders speculate that they are the problem holding your team back can work. You just need it to work once.

So if I am Reginald, Parth, or whoever, I am not even considering looking for someone to replace Bjergsen. And I would be prepared to open up the vault to keep him.