In the latest news reports, the national team's defeat at the Asian Cup has raised concerns that disagreements between the team's naturalized players and coach Jankovic could pose a challenge to Ivankovic's lineup for the current national team training session.
Daily News revealed that the first assembly training of Ivankovic's coaching career will start this afternoon in Shenzhen Guangming Base. With the arrival of all players, the Chinese team will carry out tactical drills closer to the actual battle. According to sources close to the matter, Ivan is particularly fond of the Shandong Taishan players, not only because Shandong Taishan was his old master, but also because they have successfully entered the AFC Champions League and have performed well in terms of physical fitness and the rhythm of offensive and defensive transitions. The Taishan players were particularly impressive compared to those who lacked experience in the AFC Champions League and had played fewer matches recently.
The fact that Tan Long, 36, and Wu Xi, 35, were not included in this list may signal the start of a rejuvenation strategy for the Chinese team. They are about to face major tournaments, so it is crucial to maintain stability and not to rush things. Of course, with the first round of the Chinese Super League yet to be completed, there are limitations to the selection of players. If the international players are not performing well for the time being but meet the requirements of the league and have the right attitude, they will still have a chance to play for their country in the future.
In this training list, three naturalized players, Fernando, Ekson and Li Ke, are once again in the lineup, attracting attention. Last year, Fernando was absent from the national team due to injury; Eckerson was dropped due to poor form; and Li Ke was publicly removed from the team for being late. Now, the trio is once again in the spotlight in front of the national team lineup. The conflict between some of the naturalized players and Jankovic may have intensified, and this fiasco may even affect the upcoming national team training, which may need to be adjusted accordingly.
