With the epidemic situation gradually under control, the much-anticipated new season of the Chinese Super League will start on April 20th. In view of the concern about the resurgence of the epidemic, the new season of the Chinese Super League still adopts a different system: it is divided into three phases of "14+8+8", with a total of 30 rounds of matches throughout the season. Guangzhou and Suzhou are the two major cities in the first stage, and the final standings will be determined by the total number of points. For the strongest teams, this season's format is closer to a regular league, testing the stability of the teams, rather than last season's cup-like format, which emphasized more on clinical play.
The framework of the competition is set, but the details are still to be revealed
"14+8+8" is the overall framework of the new Super League season. In the first stage, each group plays a double round-robin game, totaling 14 rounds. In the second stage, the top four of group A and group B 5-8 re-grouping, the top four of group B and group A 5-8 re-grouping, again double round robin within the group, the first stage has played the team will not play again, a total of 8 rounds. In the third stage, the top four of Group A and the top four of Group B in the first stage, and the top 5-8 of Group A and the top 5-8 of Group B will be re-grouped again for a double round-robin within the group, and the teams that have already played each other in the first stage will not play each other again, for a total of 8 rounds. Since the final ranking is based on the total points, even if the team is not well ranked in the first stage, there is still a chance of reversal if the team can adjust its status subsequently.
It has been confirmed that Guangzhou and Suzhou will host the first phase of the tournament, while the details of the second and third phases of the tournament have yet to be finalized. If the epidemic is effectively controlled, it is not ruled out that the second and third stages of the tournament will revert to the home and away system familiar to fans, so that they can come to the scene to cheer for the team.
Impact of the Chinese Super League expansion plan on mid- and lower-tier teams
While celebrating the start of the new Chinese Super League (CSL) season, we can't ignore the impact of next season's "expansion" plan on the mid- and lower-tier teams. With the expansion to 18 teams next season, the rules for promotion and relegation in this season's Chinese Super League have changed considerably. The top two teams in this season's Chinese League One will be promoted directly to the Chinese Super League, while the third and fourth places will play a play-off against the bottom two teams in the Chinese Super League, with the winners qualifying for the 2022 Chinese Super League season.
The expansion plan is undoubtedly good news for the mid- and lower-tier teams in the Chinese Super League. With the elimination of the direct relegation quota, even the bottom one and two teams have a chance to stay in the Super League through the play-offs, easing the pressure on teams to survive. On the other hand, the first division will be able to obtain the 1+1+0.5+0.5 promotion quota, and have a greater chance to be promoted to the Chinese Super League. At the same time, the increase in the number of teams also helps to reduce the relegation pressure and increase the margin of error for teams in adjusting and adapting to the new lineup. However can the commercial value of the CSL support the survival of 18 teams? Is the expansion of the Chinese Super League under the epidemic too hasty? All of these are yet to be answered by time.
With old and new strengths on display, are the teams closest to each other in the new season?
The familiar face of Changchun Yatai returns to the Super League in the new season with the might of the Central League champions. With Tan Long, one of the best strikers in the Central League, leading the team of domestic players, and the introduction of foreigner Junior who scored in the warm-up matches with Shanghai Harbour and Beijing Guoan, Changchun Yatai is determined to recreate the team's historical glory in this new season with their strength and morale on the up. Traditional giants Shanghai Shenhua have signed Wu Xi and Jonić, and with a squad full of famous players, they are also set to make a push for the top of the league. Shenzhen, Wuhan and Henan Songshan Dragons have also invested heavily in the new season, and all of them have outstanding international and quasi-international players in their squads. These five teams will create a new wave in the new season of the Chinese Super League.
Beijing Guoan, Guangzhou, Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Seaport's reinforcements illustrate their determination in the new season. Shandong Taishan introduced Shi Ke, Ji Xiang, Xu Xin and other strong players, while Shanghai Seaport signed Dujia and Li Ang to further enhance the depth of the team. Both teams are determined to win the title in the new season. Beijing Guoan in small repairs at the same time also hung up the lottery, the introduction of young players such as He Zhuoyu, Cao Tianyi, to prepare for the future. Guangzhou, on the other hand, is the most low-profile of the four giants, and they have welcomed the return of Allan and the promotion of young players without any large sums of money to bring in reinforcements. Although there are no big moves, Guangzhou is still a force to be reckoned with in the league with many naturalized players.
Guangzhou City in the south have continued their strategy of maintaining stability in their squad this season, as have Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic. However, the northern Dalian people's foreign aid loss is more serious, Hamsik and Long Dong have returned to the team, the current lineup of reliable center forward seems to be only one Boateng. Geographically similar, but sad and happy are not the same. Qingdao, next door to Dalian Ren, has welcomed Zou Zheng and other veterans to join the team, and it is up to Wu Jingui to see if he can coach the team well in the new season. Cangzhou Lions also introduced the same old Jiangsu Xie Pengfei and Shanghai Harbor's Lin Chuangyi to add to the relegation. The only highlight of Tianjin Jinmen Tigers' transfer period is the appointment of Tianjin soccer star Yu Genwei as the team's head coach. Hebei's new season has seen a large number of strong players leaving, and the team's strength has declined severely. Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and Hebei will have a difficult road to relegation in the new season.
Under the influence of policies such as "salary limit" and "name change", the investment of Chinese Super League clubs in the transfer market has been cut drastically, and the concept of attracting reinforcements based on practicality has gradually become the mainstream. Due to the reduction of big-name foreign aid, as well as the frequent flow of internal aid in the past two years, the strength of each team in the new season also tends to be close to each other, and the 2021 season may become the most competitive season in recent years.
Surprises abound, with the highlights of the first four rounds
Along with the announcement of the opening moments and the format of the tournament, the journey of the new season has also surfaced. The first 4 rounds of the new season were full of highlights. In the first round of matches, there is not only the Guangzhou Derby in which Guangzhou meets Guangzhou City, but also the classic match between Shanghai Shenhua and Beijing Guoan. After the Guangzhou Derby, Guangzhou will have to welcome a hard battle with Shandong Luneng. Another city derby, the Shanghai Derby, is scheduled for the third round, and Shanghai SIPG will have to play Beijing Guoan in the second round before playing the Shanghai Derby. In the fourth round of the league, fans will again welcome Shandong Luneng and Qingdao Qilu derby.
Meanwhile, in the first round of matches, the match between Dalian People and Changchun Yatai also attracted the attention of fans. In the last round of the 2018 league, he or she was Dalian side defeated Changchun Yatai 2-0 successfully relegated, and sent Changchun Yatai to the Central League. In the new season, facing the comeback of Changchun Yatai, this competition will certainly be able to collide with different sparks. The Football Association in the new season's journey organization is surprising.
