With the addition of Jiuzhi Group, Shanghai Shenhua, the old powerhouse of the Chinese Super League, began to gradually revitalize. After paying off all of the club's debts, Shenhua's transfer ban was lifted and the team was able to make normal signings in the winter transfer window.
Compared to the past, Shenhua's signings this year, especially foreign aid, are more purposeful, with age, ability and cost-effectiveness being the three key considerations in the club's choice of foreign aid.
This season, Shenhua will keep the foreigner Basogo who played for the team last season. The Cameroonian striker represented his national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar last year, which is proof that he is at the top level of the Chinese Super League.
Shenhua FC has recently brought in three foreigners, Angolan striker Malelele, Cameroonian midfielder Amadou, and American defender Yan Xinli, after deciding to keep Basogo. The joining of the three foreigners has now been officially announced by the club.
With these three foreigners officially on board, Shenhua FC's fifth foreigner has also been confirmed. He is Portuguese midfielder João Teixeira, who played for Portuguese supergiant Porto.
Teixeira, 30, made his debut in the youth training system of Portuguese Superliga side Braga. Before joining Porto, he played for European powerhouses such as Sporting Lisbon, Premier League side Liverpool, Bradford and Brighton.
Teixeira's best position is the front waist, can also be a guest left winger. Teixeira is fast, strong in ball control, has a wide field of vision, and has excellent organization and scheduling ability. He can not only give teammates assists, but also can score himself. He is a capable attacking midfielder.
After Moreno and Adrian left the team, Shenhua now needs such a big-legged foreigner who can not only organize the team's attack, but also attack the city in front of the field. Therefore, Shenhua decided to bring in Teixeira from Qatar League club Umm Shahrar despite the fact that Teixeira's transfer value is as high as 2 million euros.
It is reported that Shanghai Shenhua has reached a consensus with the club of Um Shahrar on the transfer of Teixeira, the Portuguese midfielder will soon be able to officially join Shenhua. Before Teixeira joined, Shenhua's three new foreign aid will be officially unveiled in the near future.
Next week, Shenhua will play a warm-up match against Changchun Yatai. By then, Malelele, Amadou and Yan Xinli will take the field and show their real strength in this open game.
In addition to the three foreigners mentioned above, several local newcomers introduced by Shenhua this season will also appear in the warm-up match against Yatai, the most notable of which is undoubtedly 23-year-old international striker Zhang Wei. Compared to Bao Yaxiong and Cui Lin, Zhang Wei came to the team the latest as several clubs wanted to bring him in.
However, Shenhua FC eventually took the lead in signing a contract with Zhang Wei. Compared to several other clubs, Shenhua was more sincere and had the largest contract.
Zhang Wei's joining has undoubtedly injected new vigor into Shenhua's old front line. Compared to last season's Hebei team, Shenhua's midfield strength this season is a few levels higher. With the help of Teixeira, Cao Yunding and other midfielders, Zhang Wei's offensive ability can be further released.
With four foreigners and three local reinforcements joining the team, along with players such as Wu Xi, Zhu Chenjie and Jiang Shenglong, Shenhua already has the strength to compete for the top four spots in the table this season. Whether they can achieve this goal depends on whether coach Wu Jingui can make full use of these new recruits.
