With the opening of the Chinese Super League's summer transfer window, Beijing Guoan, Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Seaport have brought in new foreign wingers with the intention of strengthening their team's firepower output.
In the recent rounds of the league, the new strikers of these three teams quickly got the chance to play after a short integration. Fabio of Guoan not only contributed two goals and two assists, but also gave a wonderful performance in the F.A.C.A. Cup consecutively. Especially in the last round of the league, his goal helped Guoan to reverse the victory over Shenhua and become the focus of attention.
Harbour's Joao has also been in good form, scoring two goals and providing assists for his team. However, with Harbour on a recent losing streak, Joao's highlights have been overshadowed to a certain extent.
In contrast, Taishan's newest addition, Pato, has been a bit flat. Despite scoring a goal and assisting in the home win over Meizhou Hakka, he has not been the centerpiece of the team overall. Unfortunately, Pato sprained his ankle in the match between Taishan and Cangzhou Lions and is expected to miss all the matches in August, and it is still unknown whether he can return in time for September.
In recent years, the Taishan team seems to have become a gathering place for "glass man" foreign aid. Last season, Brazilian defender Jadson was frequently injured, and this season, Pato has just recovered from an injury and was injured again in less than a month after joining the team.
Choi Kang-hee was honored as the Super League Coach of the Month for July for his Taishan team's outstanding performance in the league. Although there is still a 12-point gap with leader Shanghai Seaport, Seaport's recent form has been in the doldrums, with no wins in two consecutive rounds. The future of Seaports is in jeopardy due to the investigation of their parent company's manager.
Although there are only 7 rounds left in the league, it is not completely hopeless for Taishan to catch up and overtake Seaport if they can maintain a stable form. Pato's prolonged absence will undoubtedly pose a challenge to Choi Kang-hee's tactical arrangements.
At the end of this month, Taishan will challenge Guoan on the road in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. Injuries to three of the team's players due to the Olympics and Pato have added uncertainty to Taishan's defense of the AFC Cup.
As a result, Cui Kangxi's reinforcement decisions have once again become the focus of Shandong fans' questions. After the Brazilian striker's performance in the AFC Champions League, Taishan introduced the "glass man" for 400,000 euros. Choi Kang-hee's next move will go where, people are looking forward to.
This week, the draw for the AFC Champions League group stage is about to take place. Taishan will be fighting on three fronts: the Chinese Super League, the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup, and the pressure on Choi Kang-hee is getting heavier and heavier. With young players tilting towards the Olympic team and a disjointed lineup of foreigners, Choi Kang-hee has had to resort to using veterans. 36-year-old Zhang Chi scored the winning goal in the last round of the league, but it also exposed the shortcomings of Taishan's current fighting force.
If Leonardo can be recalled in the summer window, the pressure on Taishan may be eased...
