The first round of the Chinese Super League has left a lasting impression of a variety of cold scores. In particular, the low performance of last season's strongest teams was a big surprise. The top three teams that won the championship for three consecutive years, Taishan and Zhejiang, were not spared and suffered considerable setbacks. Fans were surprised to find out that it is very rare for the top three teams to lose their opening games. After the match, when people try to find out the reason, they will find that all three teams have personnel absent from their lineups, such as key attacking players like Malcolm and Cressan, while Zhejiang lost their former international player, starting goalkeeper and captain Gu Chao, which caused a setback to both their offense and defense, and naturally reduced their competitiveness.
If Malcolm's departure and Cressan's suspension were unexpected, then the sudden retirement of champion goalkeeper Gu Chao is very sudden. After all, he was also April 1 and Taishan's "gift cup" debut, and recently there is no news of injury, and now suddenly disappeared, not even in the replacement lineup, but also caused concern. According to informed media sources, Gu Chao withdrew from the first round, has been taken away to assist in the investigation, former Jiangsu team vice president Yin Longcheng was taken away.
It's not hard to see that the odds are stacked against the associated matches being taken away this time around. According to reports, they could be playing in the 2019 match where Suning lost to Shenhua by a single goal. Although the specific details are not clear, there is speculation that it is related to the recent problematic match investigation. As for Gu Chao's fitness to return, it is still unknown. From past experience, if only cooperate with the investigation, the time will not be too long to return to the club. If violations are involved, not only is it difficult to come back, but it will also cast a shadow over your career, or even directly equivalent to retirement, away from professional soccer.
In addition, the goalkeeper is the last line of defense of the team, if there is a problem, the impact on the outcome of the game will be fatal, so there is no future for Gu Chao in this take away. Fans are also more worried about the 33-year-old goalie. On the one hand, Gu Chao was an absolute starter last season and the main hero of Zhejiang's third-place finish. The impact of the main goalie missing the first round is obvious. If he doesn't come back for a long time, Zhejiang's performance can't be guaranteed.
On the other hand, 33 years old is in the golden period of goalkeeper, strength and experience of Gu Chao, if this leaves, it is a pity. Although the matter involves the image of the club, but at present more can only cooperate and wait for the final judgment.
