While the Chinese Super League is in full swing, China's national team helmsman Jankovic is shuttling around the stadiums, handpicking future internationals. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers will kick off on July 27th. Currently our team is ranked 11th in Asia and can only be ranked in the second slot, the road to qualification looks exceptionally bumpy.
Looking back at the last World Qualifier, the return of the national soccer team not only exposed the coaching shortcomings of Li Tie and Li Xiaopeng, but also raised questions about the level of the players. Li Tie, despite having many naturalized players, compressed their playing time and even refused to start them, a move that sparked widespread discontent. Whether Jankovic will be able to put aside his prejudices and achieve equal treatment for the internationals when he takes over is certainly highly anticipated.
Unfortunately, naturalized players such as Aixon, Fernando and Luo Guofu have returned to the Brazilian league, and the Chinese Super League's "gold dollar" effect has made it difficult for them to resist. Fortunately, Chengdu Rongcheng and Shandong Taishan have successfully invited Aixon and Fernando to return. Qingdao Hainiu is also struggling for relegation, and if Alan joins the team, it will provide more options for Jankovic.
Despite the strengths of Ackerson, Fernando and Allan, their positions leave the national team still short on the defensive end, with only one naturalized player in Egwangta, and hopes of a World Cup appearance would be greatly increased if naturalized players could be added to the backline.
It's worth noting that 28-year-old Shanghai Shenhua player of Chinese descent, Yen Xinli, is in line with FIFA's naturalization policy. He started his career as a wingback for the San Jose Earthquakes youth team in Major League Soccer and played in the Slovenian and Finnish leagues. After joining Shanghai Shenhua this season, Yen has quickly become a mainstay of the team, with a strong technical profile and excellent passing and assisting abilities.
Although the national team already has excellent players such as Tomorrow, Li Ang and Ji Xiang at right back, the successful naturalization of Yan Xinli certainly provides Wu Jingui and Jankovic with more tactical options.
