This CSL season will be unlike any other
Print Edition
THE 2017 Chinese Super League (CSL) kicked off yesterday. With so many teams reinforcing their squads in the last transfer window, the title race may be more open this season.
In addition, the implementation of new policies regulating the use of foreign players may also have effect on the competitive situation.
CSL powerhouse and defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande has won six successive domestic titles since it moved to the top flight in 2011, and will be hoping to clinch its seventh this season. It has to be seen as to whether anyone will be able to stop them.
Big-name signings of foreign players are certainly keeping the eyes of football fans affixed on Evergrande.
The recent signings of Zhang Chenglin and South Korean Kim Hyung Il did not attract the same attention as those of Jackson Martinez or Paulinho, but Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side still has the strongest squad on paper, which makes it the favorite to claim the title.
There is also cause for optimism elsewhere in Evergrande’s lineup. Besides Alan and Goulart, the prolific partnership on the forward line, the 37-year-old midfielder Zheng Zhi, a key figure in Evergrande’s run to six successive CSL titles, remains in good condition.
Evergrande has said it plans to win quadruple titles, and has already taken one of them (the Super Cup) after a 1-0 victory over Jiangsu Suning, but it’s worth noting the defending champion has many more hurdles to overcome. Six games in the space of 20 days at the opening stage is the first test.
The main threat for Evergrande may come from Jiangsu Suning and Shanghai SIPG. Although no surprising transfers for either were made this winter, the Sunning squad is tending toward stability after a one-season run-in period, especially as the two strikers Roger Martinez and Alex Teixeira have demonstrated formidable ability.
In comparison, SIPG has splashed out 60 million euros on Brazilian midfielder Oscar from Chelsea. The Brazilian trio of Hulk-Oscar-Elkeson can form a deadly partnership with best native scorer Wu Lei in the lineup.
In addition to these two teams, Hebei China Fortune has reaped rewards from a busy winter transfer period. The list of arrivals is imposing: the former Juventus playmaker Anderson Hernanes along with China internationals Zhao Mingjian, Zhang Chengdong and Yin Hongbo, thus demonstrating an ability to address areas of need within the squad.
The new squad Tianjin Quanjian is also worthy of attention.
Under the leadership of former Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro, who transformed the side after taking over from the unpopular Vanderlei Luxemburgo in June of 2016, Quanjian powered its way back up the standings to secure second-tier China League One title and a spot in the CSL.
There is a sense of excitement among the fans of the newly promoted team after some positive moves in the winter transfer window. Belgian national Axel Witsel will add a touch of class to midfield, while former Brazilian talent Alexandre Pato will bring enthusiasm in attack. Cannavaro’s side is likely to be the dark horse, and could make a statement in the league.
In addition, the traditional elites Beijing Guo’an, Shandong Luneng and Shanghai Shenhua will still be strong opponents to beat.
In addition to the competition itself, a new policy on the use of foreign talent put in place by the Chinese Football Association will be another focus this season.
In order to bring down the massive amount of spending on foreign aids and give more chances to local players, the new policy will allow a maximum of three players who are not from the Chinese Football Association and at least two U-23 Chinese players on the match-day roster. Previously, the foreign quota was four.
On one hand, the new policy will offer more opportunities to local Chinese talent, while reducing the team’s dependency on foreign star players. But for some teams that excessively rely on foreign players, it means a change in tactics, with more unexpected problems possibly arising in the course of the new season.
To what extent this new policy will affect the trend of play in the league still remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — this new CSL season will be unlike any other before it.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
