Choi Kang-hee's audacity is seriously challenged here. If Zeca continues to miss out, he may be able to fill the void with Delgado as the fifth foreigner in the first half of the season. Taishan can only hope to strengthen their squad during the second transfer period. Cui will have to learn a lesson this time, as he brought in Pato last year due to impatience. This year, Taishan's success or failure will depend on the choice of midfielders during the summer window, not only for the new season's AFC Champions League group stage, but also for the fate of the whole season.
This year, Taishan team's signing strategy missed a good opportunity. The team poured all of its transfer budget into Zeca, but he was injured, resulting in the team's subsequent inability to strengthen its strength, and internal reinforcements could only be "picked up". Shenhua signed Xie Pengfei for a transfer fee of only 9 million, while Shandong Taishan could only sign some veterans. Bi Jinhao and Peng Xinli are both non-starters. Compared to last season, only Gao Junyi and Cazza were the only players who really enhanced the starting lineup. Compared to teams like Shenhua and Guoan, the starting lineup has not changed much, and Taishan need to rely on Lao Cui's coaching.
There is no limit to the number of foreigners in the AFC Champions League, so theoretically Cressan, Delgado, Fernando, Kazaishvili, Jadson and Pato could start at the same time. But positional considerations make it unlikely that they will all start at the same time. If Kawasaki Frontale fall behind at home, it is expected that these six will play at the same time to start a fierce attack against the enemy and keep the defense. According to Choi Kang-hee's tactical layout, four foreigners starting is already the limit, and we can't even rule out the possibility of Kressan coming on as a substitute in the first half and then making his debut in the second half. Last year, Incheon United's home victory was due to this tactic.
