Shandong Taishan, the former Chinese Super League (CSL) champions, no longer seem to have a high-profile recruitment strategy this season. In the winter transfer window, they only ushered in three new blood, Sun Guowen, Liu Shibo and Hu Jinghang, while the rumor of Tong Lei's transfer, which fans have been longing for, is still pending.
However, Taishan Club did not stop adjusting their team. After bringing in many young players, they have also been eliminating some "redundant" players, including local center back Liu Junshuai, who was on loan to Qingdao Hainiu last season.
Last year, Liu Junshuai's performance in Qingdao Hainiu was amazing, he became an indispensable member of the team's backline as he was steady as a mountain, and he repeatedly built up in the corner kick attack.
Liu Junshuai returned to Taishan at the beginning of this year after his loan period expired, playing alongside the team. Given the serious aging of Taishan's defense line, and Jia Desong's frequent injuries, many Shandong fans are convinced that Liu Junshuai will stay in the team and occupy the starting center back position.
However, unexpectedly, Liu Junshuai did not win the favor of the manager Hao Wei, and Taishan club has decided to sell him to Qingdao Hainiu from this season.
Meanwhile, veteran Dai Lin also left along with Liu Junshuai, due to the recent negative news, which had a serious impact on the club. There is no hope for Dailin to renew his contract, and the 36-year-old can only choose to bid farewell to the team.
In addition, Yi Xianlong, a rising star after 00, also appeared in Jinan Xingzhou's warm-up match, which seems to indicate that he will leave Taishan to join this new team in the Central League in the new season.
With the departure of three players, Taishan FC quickly brought in two new recruits, Huang Zhengyu and Fernando. The addition of Huang Zhengyu fills Liu Junshuai's position, while Fernando's arrival seems to have prepared a replacement for Wu Xinghan.
However, Huang Zhengyu and Fernando have been inconsistent. Although Huang Zhengyu was once a mainstay of the Olympics, his form has fluctuated in recent years, and he is no longer as good as Liu Junshuai, who has left the team. And Fernando has not played an official game for more than two years due to injuries and contract problems, so his form is worrying.
The Taishan coaching staff knows Fernando's situation all too well, but for the sake of the national team's interests, they can only endure the pain and sacrifice. The club not only has to bear Fernando's high salary, but also to help him get back in shape as soon as possible for this year's Asian Cup.
It is reported that Huang Zhengyu and Fernando have successfully passed the trial training of Taishan team, joining has been finalized, only to wait for the official announcement of the club.
As it stands, it is unlikely that the Taishan team will continue to bring in new recruits. The signings in the winter transfer window have not met fans' expectations, and the introduction of top players is out of reach. But this may also be a helpless move. After all, Taishan's first-team starters are burdened with heavy wages, the club has limited space for funds, and they have to compete with teams like Wuhan Sanzhen and Guoan for top players...
