The final of the AFC Cup is about to begin and Shandong Taishan have already started to prepare for next season. Shandong Taishan will play a three-front war next season, and the league, the AFC Cup and the AFC Champions League will be emphasized. Especially in the AFC Champions League, Shandong Taishan has been sending young players before with a dismal record. In the new season, Shandong Taishan will focus on the AFC Champions League and try to get good results. Taishan has been good enough in the past two seasons in the Chinese Super League.
Shandong Taishan have extended Moises' contract and signed strong support Tong Lei, according to Soccer Daily. The contract extension with Moises is not surprising. This season, they scored 16 goals and 16 assists. Even though they are old, they are still the first foreigners in the current Chinese Super League. Moises was key on the attacking end in this season's AFC Cup final, as Cressan was absent. He said in a previous interview that he didn't come to China to play soccer for a walk.
With Moises' form and playing style, staying on top for two years in the Chinese Super League isn't a big deal, and it will be hard to sign a suitable replacement. When Moises first joined Taishan, he played more at the back and even at one point at center back, masking his attacking ability. This season has been a blast. Compared to Moises, the other foreigner, Fellaini, is very awkward and Taishan is trying to clean him up. Shandong Taishan foreign aid will not have a big adjustment in the new season, mainly internal aid, relying on advantages to attract players.
Shandong Taishan can be called a big signing-free player. Xu Xin and Shi Ke have signed contracts before and Liao Lisheng last season. Due to the stability of the team, it is very attractive that some free agents want to join Shandong Taishan. Tong Lei is a very good addition. at 26, he is at the peak of his career and is expected to be a real international player. This contract is already on the table. Shandong Taishan has to strengthen all the weak positions, and keep the depth of the lineup with enough rotations in all three lines for the new season.
Liu Junshuai, who was rented to Qingdao Hainiu last season, has returned to the team, and his return to Taishan to train with the team means that he is in Hao Wei's plan. This season, Taishan is short of center backs. During Jadason's injury, he has been the partner of Shi Ke and Zheng Zheng. Fortunately, the two players were not seriously injured. Liu Junshuai will not be rented out for the new season, but will replace veteran Dailin as the team's first backup defender. Liu Junshuai had an excellent season with Qingdao Hainiu.
Another rumored player, Wei Shihao, currently joining Shandong Taishan will not go well and is being blocked by other teams. Whether Wei Shihao will be able to join or not is still unknown. He is the biggest and most popular player in the Chinese Super League transfer market this year and will not make the decision to join easily. Shandong Taishan will not give up negotiations with him. Shortly after the end of the Chinese Super League, Shandong Taishan started to make large-scale signings, which means that the team has a big goal in the new season to make a difference in the AFC Championship and continue to compete for the Chinese Super League title. The result of the AFC Cup will also determine the future plans.
