The Harbour Master and core players have already confirmed their contract extensions, and the team's next priority is to adjust their tactical layout.
As the season comes to an end, Hu Jinghang's transfer rumors are in the spotlight. According to Wuhan sources, Hu Jinghang, whose contract with Harbor is about to expire, has basically confirmed that he will join Wuhan as a free agent. In the second half of last season, Hu Jinghang performed well and even started in the AFC Cup final. In theory, it seems more reasonable to stay in the team, but the player himself strongly hopes to return to his hometown to play football, coupled with the expiration of the contract, the seaport is inconvenient to retain too much, which also reflects the respect for the contract. Leaving Shanghai, where he has lived for more than a decade, Xiao Hu himself is also reluctant to leave, and his failure to win an AFC Cup trophy for the team has become a regret in his heart.
Apart from Hu Jinghang, Harbour may fine-tune their lineup. Last season, head coach Leko's choice of lineup was usually between 15-18 players, but some players had very low attendance, such as Yu Rui, Zhang Wei, and Chen Binbin, while players such as Fu Huan, Cai Huikang, and Zhang Yi made appearances, but not many. From the point of view of the team and the players, if there is a suitable loan opportunity, it should also be considered, because most of the players are in their prime years, and playing more games is beneficial to them and the team.
In the internal aid market, there are news that Xu Xin, the international midfielder who played for Shandong Taishan last season, is expected to join the seaport. Up to now, this matter has not been officially confirmed, but according to the reporter's understanding, Xu Xin's situation as early as a few months before the expiration of the contract, there are more than one club with its contact, from all aspects of the conditions, seaport undoubtedly has the advantage.
Of course, the final choice is in the hands of the players. Once Xu Xin confirms to join Seaport, he will face quite a bit of competition as Seaport also has midfielders such as Baitijiang, Yang Shiyuan and Abrahan in the team, in addition to Oscar and Muyi, who are also mainly midfielders.
Outside of Xu Xin, the Seaports need to strengthen their forward and back line, especially after observing the thickness of Shandong Taishan's squad last season, reminding everyone that a solid lineup of internal and external reinforcements is the foundation for excellence in the Chinese Super League.
Lopez looks to make comeback as winter training opens early
While everyone is still on vacation, Lopez has already started his winter training, with the Brazilian updating his social media to show that he is doing the necessary strength training. All indications are that he is preparing for a comeback.
"So we still have a Lopes ......" is not an unreasonable self-deprecating jibe from Harbour fans, as it has been nearly six months since the Brazilian was last seen on the pitch running around in a Harbour red jersey. Lopes had to return to Brazil in mid-September last year for treatment due to a ligament injury in his left knee during training, where he underwent rehabilitation training.After joining Seaport for the 2019 season, Lopes was once expected to score four goals in the first two rounds of the league season, including a solo effort against Hebei. For a while, Lopez became the best answer to the question of what kind of foreign aid should be found under the salary limitation policy.
However, it didn't last long. After scoring four goals in the first two rounds, Lopez's fifth goal didn't come until the final game of the season against Beijing Guoan. It's no coincidence that last season, Lopez also scored four goals in the first two rounds and then started to mute, such a performance is obviously unsatisfactory. What is even more nagging is that in the second phase of the league and the final of the FA Cup, where the need for a player was greatest, Lopez was not available due to injury. "At least it can still play some holding role in front of the field ......," a team source has talked about this. Lopez is currently in the final year of his contract with Harbour, and there has been much talk about whether he will stay or go. A common view is that if the conditions allow, seaport is best to consider its replacement, the introduction of a more impactful striker; if the adjustment of space is limited, then it should also be introduced to a more reliable scorer, so that Lopez and its competition or as the fifth foreign aid is better.
Seaport's original foreigners include Oscar, Mui, Paulinho, Lopez and Maistorovic. Two of the Brazilians are relatively stable, and Mui won't be easily let go by Seaport without a suitable offer. Maistrovic looks like it will be hard to return to his pre-injury form, in which case Harbour really needs to think about the composition of the foreign aid lineup, which requires wisdom, vision and of course some help from luck.
