Beijing Guoan, Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Seaport all brought in new foreign wingers in the summer transfer window of the Chinese Super League, hoping to improve their team's offense with this reinforcement.
After a brief settling-in period in the past few rounds of the league, the new foreign strikers of Guoan, Taishan and Seaport soon got their chance to play. Fabio of Guoan scored two goals and got two assists in the league. In addition, he also performed two good games in the FA Cup. In the last round of the league, Fabio's two goals helped Guoan turn back Shenhua at home, and his performance was quite eye-catching.
Seaport's Joao has been no slouch. So far, he has scored two goals and issued assists for his team. However, recently, Harbor suffered two rounds of defeats, which somewhat overshadowed some of João's style.
Compared to Fabio and Joao, Taishan's foreign striker Pato is much worse. The Brazilian striker, whom the club paid 400,000 euros for, was not a mainstay of the team in Taishan's 6-1 home win over Meizhou Hakka. He scored a penalty and dished out an assist.
Pato, who had just started the match between Taishan and Cangzhou Lions, twisted his ankle. It is reported that Pato will miss all the matches in August because of the damage to the medial ligament in his ankle. it is hard to say whether he will be back in time for September.
In recent seasons, Taishan has bought a lot of "glass man" foreign players. Since last season, Brazilian defender Jadson has been injured. This season, his physical condition has just improved, and Pato was injured again in less than a month after joining the team.
Choi Kang-hee was named the Premier League Coach of the Month for July by the Football Association as he guided Taishan to an excellent finish in the league. Although 12 points adrift of league leaders Shanghai Seaports, the Seaports have suffered a serious dip in form recently, going undefeated in two consecutive matches. Harbour's performance in the league is likely to continue to be sluggish due to the impact of the club's parent manager being investigated by the disciplinary authorities.
Therefore, although there are only 7 rounds left in the league, the possibility of catching up and surpassing the port is not completely impossible if Taishan can maintain good form. Pato's prolonged absence due to injury has undoubtedly directly affected Choi Kang-hee's fixtures and arrangements.
At the end of this month, Shandong Taishan will challenge Beijing Guoan away in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. Recently, three of the team's players improved the Olympics and Pato's injury, which has cast a shadow over Taishan's defense of the AFC Cup.
As a result, Cui Kangxi's decision to sign was once again questioned by some Shandong fans. Let the prolific Brazilian striker on behalf of the Zhejiang team to play the AFC Champions League, and then spend 400,000 euros to buy a "glass man" foreign aid. I don't know what kind of medicine Cui's gourd is selling.
This week, the AFC Champions League group stage will be drawn. Next, Taishan will play three lines of matches in the Chinese Super League, AFC Champions League and AFC Cup. The pressure on Choi Kang-hee will grow. With many young players improving towards the Olympic team and an incomplete lineup of foreigners. Choi will have to activate some of his veterans. 36-year-old Zhang Chi scored a killer goal in the last round of the league to help Taishan beat the Tianjinmen Tigers 1-0.
While Zhang Chi's goal was a welcome relief, it also shows how much Taishan lacks fight right now. If Leonardo can be recalled in the summer window, the pressure on Taishan will certainly not be as high as it is now...
