This season, the debt-ridden Shenzhen team was unquestionably relegated to the Central League two rounds ahead of schedule. Considering the club's debt, Shenzhen is now facing not only relegation, but also the question of whether they can survive next season.
From the current situation, no one to take over the Shenzhen team has basically decided to dissolve, some of the team's key players will also enter the player transfer market this winter, some of which will become "big fish", such as Ghanaian striker Archie Mbeng.
The 30-year-old Achimpen is already a veteran of the Chinese Super League.In the summer of 2017, he joined Tianjin TEDA (the predecessor of Tianjin Jinmen Tigers) on a loan deal. Achimpen scored four goals in 10 CSL matches in half a season, and his outstanding performances impressed TEDA FC, who bought the Ghanaian striker's contract for €3.5 million for the 2018 season.
Achimpen did not disappoint the club's trust in him. He scored 17 goals and contributed 4 assists this season, making him the team's Golden Boot scorer. As a result of his outstanding performance in the Chinese Super League, Achimpen was once again selected for the Ghana national team.
Not only is Achimpen technically sound, but he also has a great personality, making him one of the most popular foreigners in Tianjin's history. Tianjin fans have also affectionately nicknamed Achimpen "Archie" in the hope that the Ghanaian striker will retire in Tianjin.
However, Club TEDA announced its dissolution at the end of the 2020 season, with most of the team's star players leaving one after another and Achimpen moving to Shenzhen. After playing three seasons in the Chinese Super League with Shenzhen, who are now also facing a ban from the club, Achimpen will be moving on again.
Earlier, there was a lot of talk that Achimpen is likely to return to Tianjin next season to join his old bosses, the Tianjinmen Tigers, with coach Yu Genwei also hoping the 30-year-old Ghanaian striker will join the team.
However, judging from the current situation, the chances of Jinmen Tigers re-signing Achimphan are not high. As we all know, after the withdrawal of TEDA Group, Jinmen Tigers have been hosted by Tianjin Sports Bureau. At the end of this year, the three-year trusteeship period is about to expire. Now, no Tianjin companies are willing to take over the Jinmen Tigers club.
In this case, the Tianjin Sports Bureau can only continue to host the Jinmen Tigers. Although the Tianjin team can continue to survive next season, it is impossible for the Sports Bureau to invest too much money in the club, so it is impossible for Yu Genwei to sign every foreigner he likes. In this way, it will be difficult for Achim Pang to return to Tianjin Jinmen Tigers next season.
According to some domestic soccer media reports, the team that Achim Pang will join next season is Shanghai Shenhua, a veteran team in the Chinese Super League. Shenhua has been revitalized after the entry of Jiuzhi Group and has performed quite well this season. Only because of the weak foreign aid, the team finally only finished fifth in the league.
It is reported that Shenhua will replace four foreigners next season, and Cameroonian winger Bassogo, whose contract will expire at the end of the year, will be dropped, and Achimpen can take his place. Compared to Bassogo, Achimpen is faster, more attacking and less prone to injuries. As a replacement for Bassogo, Achimpeng is fully qualified.
With the addition of the Ghanaian winger, Shenhua will be even stronger next season. If they can sign 2-3 strong foreigners, they can make an impact on the AFC Champions League!
