Stepping into the threshold of 2024, a new breath of air is coming. According to informed sources, the new season of the Chinese Super League and First Division foreign aid policy may usher in a major change, foreign aid quota may usher in the expansion. Behind this change is a reflection on the declining quality of the league and the poor performance of the Chinese Super League in recent years.
It is reported that the Chinese Super League foreign aid policy will be upgraded from the original "7654" to "7655", which means that each team can register seven foreign aiders for the whole season, but only a maximum of five can be used in each game, and the total number of foreign aiders will be raised from the previous four to five. In the Central League, the policy will also evolve from "4332" to "4333", with the number of foreign aiders increasing from two to three.
However, this policy change is like a double-edged sword: on one side, the quality of the league is improved, while on the other side, there is the issue of survival space for local players. From Shanghai's point of view, we may need to re-examine certain concepts...
In recent years, the two Chinese Super League teams in the city of Shenyang have seen the survival space for local players seemingly squeezed due to national team call-ups. But in fact, when the team is facing a manpower crisis, local players can often come forward. As a result, the Shanghai duo doesn't have much to worry about when it comes to the survival of local players.
It is worth mentioning that in the foreign aid "quality", Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua in the last season did not meet the expectations of the outside world and fans. Shanghai Shenhua although signed Amadou, but Malalele's "happy soccer" let fans doubly disappointed. Bassogol is frequently injured, and Teixeira is excluded from the regular rotation.
For Shanghai Port, Issa Caron, Pinko and Vargas have struggled to get a foothold in the team, while Lucas João was excellent in the middle of the season but "disappeared" after the first 7 games. Oscar is still the most stable midfielder in the team, contributing 9 goals and 13 assists.
Looking back at the signings of the Shanghai duo since 2020, whether it's Fidel Martinez, Bolaños, or Dumbya from Shanghai Shenhua, or Lopez, Ndiaye, or Pinko from Shanghai Port, there are always cost-effective foreign aiders. However, when they fail to integrate into the team, they become what fans call "chicken ribs".
Faced with the adjustment of foreign aid policy, Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai Port, although subject to the pre-tax limit of 3 million euros for foreign aid, can by no means hope to bring in foreign aid like "scratching the lottery ticket". They need to understand the market more deeply and make a comprehensive decision, otherwise even if they have enough foreign aid quota, it will only be a waste of...
With the arrival of 2024, Shenhua and Harbour have entered a crucial stage in their preparation for the new season. Will they be able to maintain their championship strength in next year's league and FA Cup, and will they be able to advance to the AFC Champions League again? This is undoubtedly a subject worth pondering for the Shanghai duo.
