According to an analysis by the New Express, the Guangzhou team is unlikely to make up the difference on Feb. 4, Beijing time, even if multiple teams are disbanded.
Hebei and Shenzhen are the most critical clubs at the moment as Wuhan Changjiang has been dissolved, according to New Express. Hebei finished last season at the bottom of the Chinese Super League. With no salary payment for three consecutive years, it is not known if Hebei team will be able to participate in this year's China First Division League. The public opinion is widely believed that Hebei will fall behind Wuhan.
Shenzhen's situation is even worse. In addition to the huge debt burden, they are also involved in the Li Tie case. At least six people have been notified by the police, including three general managers of the club. It is reported that the Shenzhen soccer side is even prepared to relegate the team, but will do their best to avoid the club's dissolution.
Guangzhou City is in a slightly better situation. Although there is still debt, Guangzhou City has very little compared to most clubs in the Chinese Super League, but there is no clear receiver yet. After the original owner, R&F Group, is unable to continue, it will be up to someone to convince Guangzhou City and other groups to take over the club.
Right now, Guangzhou is the first candidate to be added to the Chinese Super League. However, under the CFA's principle of "better to have no shortage than to have too many", if teams continue to dissolve and quit or penalized for relegation, the Chinese Super League will probably be reduced in size to 16 or even 14 teams. In other words, the Guangzhou team to make up for the "relegation" hope is actually not big.
