In the latest season's Chinese Super League rankings, Taishan is in third place but is still worth less than 10 million euros compared to Shanghai and the three small town teams. However, for Taishan, these numbers are not substantial. The key decision facing the team is the overall performance of the team and the retention of veterans.
If the veteran's stay is finalized as expected, those players who are currently under contract will stay with the team while those whose contracts are expiring may leave. Many of these veterans are already in their prime.
This article first appeared in the headline Orange Luneng International Soccer
With only one year left on their contracts, Darling and Zhang Chi are similar in age and could make an impact off the bench despite their advanced years. Zhang Chi was impressive in the FA Cup, while Dai Lin also got a chance in the rotation. But if there are no injuries in the team's backline, Darling's chances will be few and far between.
In fact, Dai Lin and Zhang Qi are the main veterans of the team, and the rest of the players, such as Song Long and Zheng Zheng, have at least two more years of contract for next season, and their status will not decline dramatically. However, most of the players in the team's backline are over the age of majority, which is undoubtedly a hidden danger to be concerned about. After Tong Lei's arrival, Wang Tong may gradually adapt to the center back position.
In terms of performance options, the goal of competing for a championship seems out of reach if the team can't secure funding this season.
This article first appeared in the headline Orange Luneng International Soccer
The current state of the Chinese Super League is that if you invest, you can win the title; if you don't, you can't. Taishan are clearly no longer a high investment team, so the goal of winning the title this season may seem unrealistic.
Against this backdrop, it seems more reasonable if the goal of this season is shifted to the AFC Champions League. For this reason, the team needs to adjust its strategy in bringing in internal and external reinforcements without having to bring in overly powerful foreigners and internal reinforcements. Except for Cressan and Lennardo who came back from loan, the rest of the foreigners are not mid-generation players.
On the issue of youth, while controversial, the point is, how many young players are currently able to establish themselves on their own merits?
This article first appeared in the headline Orange Luneng International Soccer
I have emphasized many times that Taishan's youth players rely on strength rather than policy. Although coach Hao Wei has given the young players two seasons of opportunities, not many of them are really reliable. In fact, if today's young players do not perform well, it is difficult for them to get another chance unless there is no one to replace them.
Players need to rely on their own strengths for opportunities, and since 1993, players have been given opportunities based on strengths rather than policy, and the strength level of young players does need to improve. However, there will be opportunities for the backline next season, and if they are not able to take advantage of them, nothing can be changed.
As a result, there will be changes in the team next season, but there will be no young players taking up steady playing time. Do not hope to win the championship, after all, the budget is limited, foreign aid adjustment may be the best choice.
