March 13 (Xinhua) -- In the first two rounds of the Chinese Super League, Shanghai Shenhua won two consecutive games and ranked first. Among them, Bao Yaxiong's goal has not been broken yet. An article in Xinmin Evening News argued that Shenhua has three powerful goalkeepers: Bao Yaxiong, Ma Zhen and Zhou Zhengkai. Who is the starter has become a sweet question.
In fact, there are many unique goalkeepers in Shenhua FC's 30+ year history, such as Gao Jia, Cai Jianlin, Au Chuliang, Yu Weiliang, Wang Dalei, Li Shuai and many more. Among that long list of names, there is one goalkeeper who is particularly good at celebrating. He is Chen Zhao, who played for Shenhua from 2017 to 2019. Prior to last weekend's match against Wuhan Three Town, Chen Zhao won two trophies, the Best Goalkeeper and Best XI Finalist awards in last season's China First Division. Chen Zhao, who is still playing for Qingdao West Coast, performed very well in the past 2023. He helped his team enter the Chinese Super League as China First Division and runner-up and was voted as the best player.
After joining Nantong Zhiyun this season, Chen Zhao had no chance to play for the time being. Coincidentally, Xue Qinghao, who is competing with him for the No.1 goalkeeper position, is rented from Shenhua. In other words, the goalkeeping position of Nantong Zhuyun is now almost controlled by two players of "Shenhua blood". For Shenhua and most fans who already have three strong goalkeepers in Bao Yaxiong, Ma Zhen and Zhou Zhenkai, the "dark time" of worrying about the lack of goalkeeper reserves has become the "sweet worry" of "who will become the main force". The "dark time" has become the "sweet trouble" of "who will become the main force".
Although he left Shenhua, Chen Zhao always pays attention to his old boss. Last year, he even traveled to Suzhou to watch the match in the FA Cup final and witnessed Shenhua on top again. According to the schedule, Nantong Zhiyun will face Shenhua on April 20th and August 10th at home and away. By then, Chen Zhao is expected to see his old friend again.
