The original plan was to launch preparations for the new season on December 5, but due to the complexity of preparing for all levels of the league, the launch had to be delayed by a full 10 days. Now that the December 15 date has come and gone, the preparations are gradually getting on track. Although the Beijing Guoan club has faced thorny issues such as foreign aid disputes and salary arrears, the national security team has successfully resolved these difficulties and passed all tests. With the completion of the preparatory work, Guoan will officially kick off the new season, and the first task is to complete the signing and renewal of players.
In terms of financial strength, Guoan is slightly less than clubs such as Shenhua and Harbour, and faces a considerable challenge in both contract renewal and reinforcements. General manager Li Ming is about to have the toughest winter transfer window of his career since taking over. Zhang Yuning, Yang Liyu and Gao Tianyi are three core players whose contracts are expiring, making it quite difficult for Guoan to keep them. Among them, Zhang Yuning has no one to replace him as the team's main center forward, while Cao Yongjing and Zhang Yuan are expected to be promoted to the starting lineup.
During the last season, Zhang Yuning's social status slipped after he only played a few games due to injury. Nonetheless, he gained favor with national team head coach Jankovic. With Zhang Yuning's comeback, Jankovic decisively dropped Ackerson. Zhang Yuning's contract extension is a tricky issue, but I believe time will give the answer. Gao Tianyi seems to have made up his mind, and with Guoan's midfield attracting new foreigners, making Gao's chances of playing less likely, there is a higher chance of the two sides going their separate ways. They were free to join in the first place, and now they are free to leave no big deal.
Guoan's reinforcement plan has also been clarified. An international center back will be the new member. Whether it's Park Yang or Zhang Chengdong, it will be difficult to form a solid backline with Ngaardew. In the middle of last season, Guoan and Shenhua unsuccessfully competed for Dai Weijun, and the two sides are going head-to-head again this season, with Lin Liangming becoming the subject of a number of teams' scrambles. The competition between Guoan and Shenhua will start again.
Both teams are likely to give Lin Liangming a chance to start, but Shenhua's ability to play in the AFC Champions League is certainly a big advantage. Dai Weijun has also taken the initiative to recruit Lin Liangming. In terms of foreigners, Ngadeu, Kang Sang-woo and Abreu will remain with the team, while Adebenelo and Daburo will face contract issues. Before bringing in new foreigners, Guoan first needs to deal with these two players. The wingers and midfielders are the team's main attraction targets. Currently, Guoan is the second most attractive team in the Chinese Super League, while Hong Kong, Shenhua and Taishan are stable forces at the AFC Champions League level. In the new season, Guoan will go through a short period of pain.
At the end of the season, Guoan suffered economic difficulties, but after unremitting efforts, the team has gradually stabilized. After all, Guoan, as a traditional powerhouse in the Chinese Super League, survival is not the problem, the key lies in the direction of the team's future development. Unfortunately, the team failed to reach the AFC Champions League goal last season, and the goal for the new season will not be too low. The team has mid-generation players such as Fang Hao, Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yuning who form the framework and will be the pillars of the new season. Suarez head coach has a certain say in the introduction of foreign aid, and the choice of foreign aid will determine the ceiling of Guoan in the new season.
