LPL: The Full 2021 Season Preview for all Teams and Players
By Josh Tyler
8. LGD Gaming
Roster
Chen “Cult” Guo-Ji
Xu “Flora” Hui
Chen “Uniboy” Chang-Chu
Ha “Kramer” Jong-hun
Lin “Peace” Shang-Ren
Star Player
ADC Kramer, who was absolutely huge for this team during their Worlds run last year, is the only member back and should continue to be a centerpiece of this team in 2021.
Preview
One year after a strong showing at Worlds 2021, LGD basically blew up the entire roster except for Kramer. Like most teams in China, they opted to go young with players like Cult and Flora. They also made a shrewd free agent signing by bringing in Uniboy, who made waves at Worlds while on loan to PSG Talon.
7. EDward Gaming
Roster
Li “Flandre” Xuan-Jun
Ming “Clearlove” Kai
Kim “Gori” Tae-woo
Park “Viper” Do-hyeon
Tian “Meiko” Ye
Star Player
It should be former Griffin ADC Viper, but he is coming off a massively disappointing year with Hanwha Life in 2020. For now, I’ll give it to Flandre.
Preview
This team has all the firepower, with legendary players like Clearlove, Viper, and Meiko. Flandre and Gori are also players who can be solid if need be. The problem for EDG is that this team is banking on Clearlove (who did not play professionally in 2020) and Viper returning to form. If they don’t, this team could be a bottom-five LPL team.
6. Suning
Roster
Chen “Bin” Ze-Bin
Lê “SofM” Quang Duy
Xiang “Angel” Tao
Tang “huanfeng” Huan-Feng
Luo “ON” Wen-Jun
Star Player
Top laner Bin is my pick for now, but honestly you could give the honor to SofM, Angel, or huanfeng, they’re all exceptional.
Preview
It may seem insane to rate the team that finished second at Worlds sixth in the LPL for 2021, but I have some concerns if last year was a fluke for Suning. They lost their veteran leader in SwordArt, there have been some controversies in the offseason regarding huanfeng, and I worry that Angel overperformed at Worlds.
5. Team WE
Roster
Chen “Breathe” Chen
Jiang “beishang” Zhi-Peng
Jiang “Teacherma” Chen
Zhao “Jiumeng” Jia-Hao
Lou “Missing” Yun-Feng
Star Player
Jiumeng is a guy that I think is going to be a breakout star for Team WE this year much like huanfeng was last year for Suning.
Preview
Team WE has almost no names that casual LPL watchers would know, but they probably have the strongest jungle/support duo in the LPL in beishang and Missing. If they can get some reliable play out of Teacherma in the mid lane (or start bringing in young Shanks for some more stage time), this team could be deadly.