In this season's soccer storm, Shenzhen, burdened with huge debts, unsurprisingly fell into the Central League two rounds ahead of schedule. The shadow of debt not only hangs over the reality of relegation, but also poses a serious challenge to the team's future survival.
It has been observed that the Shenzhen team seems to have embarked on the path of dissolution, and several core players of the team, including Ghanaian striker Achim Pang, who is known as the "Big Fish", will also enter the transfer market in this winter.
Achim Pen, the 30-year-old Chinese Super League veteran, had joined Tianjin TEDA (the predecessor of Tianjin Jinmen Tigers) on loan in the summer of 2017. He scored 4 goals in 10 CSL matches, winning over TEDA with his outstanding performances and signing his contract for 3.5 million euros for the 2018 season.
Achimphon has rewarded the club's faith in him in the best possible way, scoring 17 goals and contributing 4 assists this season to be crowned the team's Golden Boot scorer. His outstanding performances even earned him another selection in the Ghana national team.
Archie Mbeng is not only a great player, but also has a popular personality, making him one of the most popular foreign players in Tianjin's history. Tianjin fans affectionately call him "Archie" and hope that the Ghanaian striker will end his career in Tianjin.
However, at the end of the 2020 season, TEDA announced the dissolution of the club, the main players have left the team, Achim Pen also moved to Shenzhen. After three seasons of playing for Shenzhen, the Shenzhen club is now in trouble as well, and Achimpen is facing another transfer.
There are rumors that Achimpen could return to Tianjin next season to join his old bosses, the Tian Jin Men Tigers, and coach Yu Genwei is expecting the Ghanaian striker to return.
But the reality may not be as good as one would like. After the withdrawal of TEDA Group, Jinmen Tigers has been under the trusteeship of Tianjin Sports Bureau. With the end of the three-year hosting period, the Tianjin Sports Bureau is facing the challenge of finding a successor, and no Tianjin company is willing to take over Jinmen Tigers.
As a result, the Tianjin Sports Bureau may continue to host Jinmen Tigers. Although the team is expected to continue to exist next season, the Sports Bureau is unlikely to invest a lot of money into the club, meaning Yu Genwei may not be able to sign all of his preferred foreigners. As a result, it will be difficult for Achim Pang to return to Tianjin Jinmen Tigers.
According to domestic soccer media reports, Archie Mbeng will join Chinese Super League veteran team Shanghai Shenhua next season. Shenhua, under the leadership of new owner Jiuzhi Group, had a good performance this season, only due to the lack of strength of foreign aid, and finally only finished fifth in the league.
Shenhua are planning to replace four foreigners next season, with Cameroonian winger Bassogo's contract set to expire at the end of the year, and Achimpen is expected to fill the void. Compared to Basogo, Achimpen is faster, more attacking and less prone to injuries, making him perfectly suited for the role.
With the signing of Achim Pang, Shenhua's strength will be significantly improved next season. If they can sign 2-3 strong foreigners, Shenhua team is even expected to make a difference in the AFC Champions League!
