Should Perkz leave G2 Esports? Would G2 be the same without him?

Nine-time European champion Luka “PerkZ” Perković has had a lot of rumors surroudning him this offseason. Going into the 2021 season, big changes are on the horizon for teams and players alike as roster shuffles are becoming more imminent. But without any confirmation, many of these rumors are nothing more than speculation about one of the best players to play in Europe

This speculation does bring up a decent hypothetical. Is it time for Perkz to step down and leave G2, and would that actually help the team improve?

What would leaving G2 mean for Perkz?

Perkz is as iconic for G2 as Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg is for TSM or Martin “Rekkles” Larsson for Fnatic. He has been with the team since it was promoted to the EU LCS and has played as either its mid laner or bot laner ever since. His titles are and accolades are undeniable, but there will always be the question of whether he could do it for another organization.

Perkz has survived and mostly thrived in every iteration of G2, but saw a drop in form in Season 10 with his return to the mid lane and subsequent switch back to bot halfway through the year. A new title in a different team’s colors might be the change that fans need to herald not only the return of Perkz, but to crown him the true king of Europe.

If Perkz does want to return to the mid lane, switching roles with Rasmus “Caps” Borregaard Winther again may be a hard sell. The team undoubtedly looks better with Caps in his natural role mid, and this arrangement would seem to give G2 its best shot for more domestic and international success.

How would G2 perform without Perkz?

If G2 were looking for a change in the bottom side of their map, now would be the time to do it. With the amount of talent available and the deep pockets of the organization, G2 would have their pick of the best that Europe has to offer at the position.

On the flip side, this iteration of G2 is known for its flexibility in champion picks and the familiarity the players have with one another. Those dynamics would be fundamentally shifted if Perkz decided to exit the roster. This type of move would signal not just a change for Perkz, but the team as whole in its identity and functionality.

If Perkz leaves G2 in 2021, it seems to be his decision

The nine-star general not only has the external clout to remain with G2, but the internal status as well. Perkz and team owner Carlos “ocelote” Rodríguez Santiagos reportedly have a great relationship and would ultimately collaborate on a move this big. 

So should Perkz leave G2? His absence could inject the team with new talent at the ADC position while also freeing him to advance his legacy past the G2 banner. But it could also harm the current dynamic at G2 and the squad’s structure to an irreparable degree. Either way, Perkz is one of the best Western players of all time and a roster move at this point in his career wouldn’t change that. But it might change the landscape of the LEC, and potentially the world’s competitive stage, in 2021.