Don't Call it a Comeback - TSM's Future Rests on Summer Split
By Wyatt Fossett ·
After returning from the grave called 2018, the start of year seemed much more like the TSM of old, but is that who this squad really is?
We haven’t even started the 2019 LCS Summer Split yet and already the LoL Esports crew are building up the crazy hype around the battle for the throne between TSM and Team Liquid. When it comes to the former, the Summer Split could be a banner season as TSM looks to rebuild their legacy.
The once dominant squad, and undeniable kings of North America have looked pretty shaken in the last year or more. This, was only turned around in the Spring Split of this year, where the team added two rookies to their roster that stepped up big time, complimenting the insanely talented veterans in their line-up.
During the run through the playoffs -- especially when it came to their Finals series against Team Liquid -- Turkish import Broken Blade had a huge showing against the league’s best. It was a coming out party if you will. Now, after a crushing 2nd place finish, the 2019 Summer Split will help decide whether or not TSM is on the path to retake western League of Legends, or if their success in the spring was a one time pop-off.
Bet on Vets
Both Soren “Bjergsen” Bjerg and Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen have contracts with TSM that run out in November of 2019 (after Worlds), so the summer series is going to mean a lot for their futures with the organization.
Though it sounds crazy that we might see a TSM next year without Bjergsen in the mid-lane, if things don’t continue on an upward trajectory it may be a necessary shake-up for the organization.
TSM has had insane success with Bjergsen. The pairing of organization and mid-lane import have won 5 domestic titles together, one Rift Rivals, and even an IEM World Championship. It could be, unfortunately, all in the past.
Zven on the other hand, came over from the EU with a whole ton of pressure and expectations placed upon him. As of now, Zven has yet to perform lights-out as expected, and things may only get harder to justify for TSM if the outcome is the same in the summer. Luckily for TSM fans, the pedigree of Zven as a carry is deep, and it may just be a matter of time before he translates the dominance he had in the LEC to the North American stage.
Future of TSM
With incredible rookies on their squad, the future is looking pretty bright for TSM, assuming they retain them. A post-Bjerg world is not something fans of the organization want to think about yet, and it’s probably not going to happen soon. Bjergsen doesn’t seem to be slowing down through his years as a dedicated carry and leader for TSM, and we very much expect him to be re-signed to a multi-year deal this winter.
Everything in regards to where TSM will go and how they are going to go about getting there depends on this upcoming season domestically.
TSM’s 2019 LCS Summer Split kicks off in just a few hours where they will face-off against the very same Team Liquid that reverse swept them in the spring Grand Finals. You can catch it all here.