After ten rounds of the Chinese Super League (CSL), Shandong Taishan has turned a corner. New manager Cui Kangxi has been appointed to reshape the team, abandoning the shadow of Hao Wei's era and uniting the players. In the tenth round of the matchup, Taishan won 1-0 against Qingdao Hainiu, with eight players in the starting lineup performing well, with ratings of over 7 points, except for Fellaini, Kressan and Liao Lixiang, who were a little less impressive.
Choi Kang-hee's arrival at the club has quickly inspired the potential of the local players, and has resulted in 3 consecutive victories since his appointment, including 2 straight wins and 1 draw. Under the leadership of the authoritative coach, the naturalized player Fernando did not enjoy special treatment and had to rely on his strength to fight for game time. Fernando came back from injury in the Qingdao Manatee match and came on as a substitute in the 68th minute, but his performance was sluggish and he was substituted again in the 90th minute.
The scene was a rare one on the pitch, and Fernando's substitution with another substitution made him a target. Some questioned Fernando's attitude and even speculated that Choi Kang-hee was losing patience with him. Statistics show that Fernando had 1 hit on goal, 7 successful passes and 7 turnovers in 22 minutes of playing time.
Despite the poor performance in this game, Fernando's fluctuating form is inevitable given his lack of appearances over the past two years. Against the backdrop of an increasingly puritanical squad, Fernando's substitution was not a surprise, but rather may have galvanized him to appreciate game time more. Good form is the key to fighting for more appearances, which is vital for the once fallen player.
In terms of individual ability, Fernando is undoubtedly outstanding. There is no attitude problem, and this experience is in the past. At present, he no longer faces similar dilemmas, or else he will not be able to renew his contract with the Taishan team.
This season, the 30-year-old Fernando played 5 matches, all as a substitute, and the injuries showed that his body is still recovering and in poor condition. However, the Taishan team recognized his ability. in 5 games, he contributed 135 minutes of playing time, created 4 excellent chances, and 1 assist, 1 long pass to create a one-touch chance. Unfortunately, his teammates failed to capitalize on their chances. Recently, Fernando has shown a strong attacking ability in training, with consecutive breakthroughs and great shots on goal. As long as he adjusts his form and fitness, Fernando will be the key to Taishan's offense, with a passing and shooting ability that far exceeds that of other international players.
