The New Express notes that while many teams are facing reorganization, Guangzhou has few fill-ins.
Currently, Hebei and Shenzhen are in a worrisome situation, especially after Wuhan Changjiang announced their dissolution. Hebei finished at the bottom of the Chinese Super League last year, and its plight of three consecutive years of unpaid wages has made its participation in China's first division uncertain. The prevailing view is that Hebei may not be able to overtake Wuhan.
In contrast, the challenges faced by the Shenzhen team are even more severe. In addition to heavy debts, they are also deeply involved in the Li Tie case. At least six people have been interviewed by the police, including three club executives. The Shenzhen soccer community is reportedly considering relegating the team, but seeks to avoid the eventual dissolution of the club.
Guangzhou City's situation is relatively optimistic, as its debt does not stand out amongst the many Chinese Super League clubs, despite being heavily indebted. However, Guangzhou City's future is still up in the air due to the inability of its original owner, R&F Group, to continue its operations, and it is doubtful whether it will be able to convince Guangzhou Automobile and others to take over.
Nevertheless, Guangzhou is still a potential addition to the Chinese Super League. However, the CFA adheres to the principle of "better to have few than many", and if teams continue to be disbanded or relegated due to penalties, the size of the Super League could be reduced to 16 or even 14 teams. In other words, Guangzhou's chances of success in filling the void are limited.
