In the 26th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL), Shanghai Shenhua, despite having a depleted squad, skillfully thwarted Cangzhou Lions by a score of nil to nil, making this match a cost-effective choice. After this game, Shanghai Shenhua's position in the top four of the Chinese Super League is even more solid.
On the defensive end, Coach Wu Jingui made a bold change, shedding three center backs. The move stems from the fact that the national soccer team for the Asian Games called up two of Shanghai Shenhua's top defenders - Zhu Chenjie and Jiang Shenglong. Faced with a manpower crisis in the back line, Wu Jingui decisively activated three center backs, Zhu Yue, Eddie Francis and Jin Shunkai, to fill the void. However, after returning from the Asian Games team, Wen could only sit silently on the bench, without a single appearance in the whole game, becoming a spectator.
Zhu Yue and Jin Shunkai are both newly promoted Shenhua juniors, who have rarely appeared before. In terms of personal strength and experience, they are not as good as Wen. But Wu Jingui is more trust in these two green defense recruits, rather than has been in the Premier League for more than five seasons of Wen's teenagers, this move is puzzling.
This game was not the only cold shoulder Wu Jingui gave to Wen. Throughout the season, Wen has only made 5 appearances at Shenhua, starting only 2 times. From this data, it can be seen that in Wu Jingui's tactical system, Wen has been reduced to a dispensable role.
Wen is good at left back and can also play left center back. Although his physical condition is a little inferior, but he is fast, clear-headed, with the talent to play football. 2017 season in Guangzhou Evergrande, 18-year-old he was favored by the Brazilian coach Scolari, not only succeeded in the first team of Evergrande, but also as the starting position of the first eight matches, won wide praise. It is no exaggeration to say that he is the treasure in Scolari's eyes. Due to his outstanding performance during his time at Evergrande and his ability to play both offense and defense, Wen has been selected for the national team and the U23 national team several times, and has recently been called up by the national team.
After joining Shenhua in 2020, the Wen teenager quickly integrated into the team with his strength and hard work. Over the past three seasons, he has become a central force in Shenhua's backline and his social status has risen. However, this season the 24-year-old fell out of favor under Wu Jingui and was reduced to a chicken rib in the Chinese Super League. The mention of this is inevitably embarrassing. If he is unable to consistently get a chance to play, Wen Xiao may begin to consider other outlets and leave Shanghai Shenhua for a new challenge.
