Hangzhou Greentown's relegation last season was indeed a blow to those who shouted that "youth training can save Chinese football."
This club, which had as many as 10 players in the national youth team at its peak in history, was finally relegated at the end of the season because it was reluctant to invest in the first team. What awaited them was only the poaching of capable players in the team.
This is a satire for Chinese football, which has been clamoring for youth training. It also serves as a warning to all Chinese Super League teams: youth training is not a "gold medal".
It cannot be said that because Greentown engages in youth training, it cannot be relegated, but the case of Greentown's relegation is indeed worthy of people's study. A small club can only rely on selling people to survive, and it is understandable to choose to stick to the path of youth training. But when
Opponents are increasing investment, and when the competitiveness of the Chinese Super League is extremely declining, whether to continue to persist or to immediately turn around is a difficult problem for anyone to give an accurate answer.
Last season, the Longteng team relied on a stronger bench and had the last laugh in the protracted battlefield of the league. However, in a cup competition such as the AFC Champions League, the loss to the Longteng team in the two rounds was not Guangzhou Evergrande, but Guangzhou Evergrande.
It is not an exaggeration to say that they are the three foreign players of Guangzhou Evergrande.
A veteran on the sports front like Zhang Zhijun can see the trick at a glance, so in order to ensure the competitiveness of the club and avoid a situation similar to Hangzhou Greentown - not to be relegated, but to lose the championship - he proposed to buy strong foreign aid.
This is a mature and prudent approach.
"I still stick to my point of view, dad." Zhang Sheng expressed sincerely, "Top foreign players are important in the Chinese Super League, but a stable and solid lineup and correct tactics are the key to the final victory. This year our three foreign players
They are all on the offensive line, and the midfield and backfield are the top lineups in the country and even Asia, so the league should not be a problem."
"If you are worried, I..."
Before Zhang Sheng could finish speaking, Zhang Zhijun shook his head helplessly and said, "Is it another military order?"
"Dad, you have been in charge of the group for so many years, so your experience in managing and operating the company must be several levels higher than mine, but do you think the current Chinese Professional Football League is in a healthy state?" Zhang Sheng raised his own question.
As an industry insider, Zhang Sheng briefly introduced the introduction of domestic capital to foreign aid and the crazy acquisition of football clubs overseas in recent years to Zhang Zhijun: "China has always liked to overdo it. Football used to be looked down upon like stinky shit, but now
It has become a hot cake again. I know that the group has benefited a lot from football in recent years, but I still want to say that this is not a sustainable model."
Zhang Sheng was indeed right. Since Longteng Club entered the Chinese Super League, Longteng Group has relied on the club's reputation to perform a business miracle. Although there were twists and turns along the way, Longteng Group has developed from a local real estate developer to now a real estate company.
, large national groups in various industries such as sports and education, and large real estate developers that frequently acquire land in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The role of football in this cannot be underestimated.
At that time, Zhang Zhijun was still outclassed by Zhuoer's Yan Zhi in Hubei Province, but now their wealth is no longer on the same level.
In October 2016, Zhang Zhijun, as the CEO of Longteng Group, ranked 16th on the Forbes 2016 list of China's richest people. His personal assets reached US$6.9 billion, and the development of Longteng Group is still in the fast lane.
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With the current capital of Longteng Group, it would be fun to continue investing about 500 million in the club every year, but Zhang Sheng knew that this situation would do more harm than good to Chinese football.
Just as the domestic real estate bubble started, the bubble in the domestic football market is even worse.
When the time comes, the capital can pat the butt and leave, but the football market is definitely a piece of cake, or even plunge directly into the abyss. This is definitely not what Zhang Sheng wants to see, but now he feels like a mantis trying to control the car.
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What Zhang Sheng doesn't know is that in real history, the Chinese Football Association, under the leadership of the state, launched the Chinese Football Association Professional Club Financial Supervision Regulations in 2019. The core idea of this regulation is very simple, which is to cool down overheated capital.
The specific content of the implementation is the four major caps - "capital injection cap", "salary cap", "bonus cap" and "transfer cap", which will reduce the operating costs of professional football clubs from clubs to players.
"Maybe my cautious operation now seems a bit conservative, but I believe that this will be the mainstream in the football market in the future." Zhang Sheng gave his own conclusion.
After Zhang Zhijun thought for a while, he sighed softly: "I know you are a person who has your own ideas, but the team's performance must be guaranteed. If the club does not have a championship at the end of the season, the group will increase investment.
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This pre-season family meeting once again failed to increase investment in the first team due to Zhang Sheng's insistence.
Zhang Sheng is able to insist on his point of view so much. In addition to his very advanced European-style overall tactics, his main confidence comes from a group of players who can realize his complex tactics.
Although there are no players with an ability value above 120 in the team compared to last season, the growth in overall strength has made the team more balanced.
Among the three foreign players, Chavez has reached his peak value of 112/112, and De Paul has been the absolute main force in one season. The growth of 108/117 shows that in the Chinese Super League, foreign players still have an environment to grow, and they are in the transformation of their playing style.
Fernando's 94/105(?) in this period proves that the Chinese Super League can completely improve the potential of players, whether you are a local player or a foreign player.
The departure of Rock Gill has reduced the number of players who have reached 100 or above in the team, but Nie Jiang's current performance of 100/120 has brought this number back.
Maybe after this season, the small pond of the Chinese Super League will no longer be able to accommodate Nie Jiang.
Compared with the main force on the court last season, the current Longteng team is slightly weakened. On the defense line, although Ma Yongli is still 83/83 and Liming has increased to 83/89, with the departure of Du Zhenyu, among the three central defenders
Finally, he is no longer a player above 80, but Lu Zhihui's level of 78/78 is still worthy of trust, especially as he is the oldest and most senior player on the team, and he is also the team's captain, which makes people feel extra special on the court.
of peace of mind.
After Nie Jiang broke through to 100 and left the 90th level. Among local players, Tao Wentao took over this position. His 90/90 attributes are really rare among domestic players.
In the midfield position, after Roque Gill left, Qi Ming took over the important task of connecting the front and backcourt with an unstoppable momentum. His attribute value of 86/120 and super rapid growth made countless people look at him.
Inquiries for him from foreign clubs are almost filling the club's drawers.
In addition to these players, after winter training, there is another player whose ability value exceeded 80, that is Xiang Tiange. 80/82 is a reward for his absolute main force last season.
Coupled with the 78/78 Ni Kai who has been given a heavy responsibility by Zhang Sheng this season, and the 78/78 Huang Dawei who has been playing steadily at the goalkeeper position, this lineup is basically the main lineup of the Longteng team this season.
But in the rotation lineup, this season's Longteng team is stronger than last season in terms of players' ability value and potential value. Including Xiang Tiange, whose ability value exceeds 80, Huang He, who has an ability value of 77/92, and 77/77
Zhang Hao in 76/88, Cao Jinghao in 76/88, Shen Jun in 76/88, Zeng Wengrong in 75/85, Tang Jin in 74/88, Qu Wenming in 73/78, these substitute players, in other Chinese Super League teams,
There is absolutely no problem in playing the main role.
In addition, players like Peng Langjun with 68/120, Tian Qijie with 68/120, and Wang Xing with 66/91 can also play their role as substitutes when the team is short of manpower or playing in the FA Cup.
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The only thing that worries Zhang Sheng may be the substitute goalkeeper Jiang Mingzhi, whose ability value is 70, and the two substitute central defenders whose ability value is just over 60: Lu Yangyang with 65/95, and Chen Yinuo with 62/130.
In the two positions of goalkeeper and central defender, the ability value of the substitute is still very important. Once someone is injured, Zhang Sheng will have a huge headache.
In addition to these players, Wu Qingmin, Gong Yuzhe, Ahemati Maimaiti, and Gao Yiyan have all been rented out.
In view of the previous performance of Longteng players in loan teams, these few national youth and junior players have become the most popular players competing for the Chinese League One and Chinese League Two teams. Xijiang Tianshan Snow Leopards, who have always had a good relationship with the Dragons,
They loaned out Aihemati Maimaiti and planned to let the 17-year-old boy play the main role; Wu Qingmin and Gong Yuzhe went to Qingdao Huanghai, whose playing style was very similar to the Longteng team's previous tactics, and Gao Yiyan went to Lizhi Chong.
A's Sichuan Annapur.
At this point, after transferring several players from last season's reserve team to form a 27-man roster, the Dragons have finally completed their personnel deployment this season.
On February 21st, the Longteng team started this season's journey, and the AFC Champions League group competition officially started.
In this season's AFC Champions League, the Dragons are in a group with Kashima Antlers of the Japanese J-League, Ulsan Hyundai of the Korean K-League, and Muangtong United of the Thai Super League. For the Dragons, this is a good draw.
Although Muangthong United defeated Buriram and many strong rivals to win the final championship last season, and is now undefeated in the league (the Thai Super League is New Year's Eve), but during the winter transfer period, Muangthong United was the leading shooter.
Brazilian forward Clayton moved to Shanghai Shenxin. This striker was the biggest contributor to Muangthong United's Thai Super League championship last season. His departure had a certain impact on the team's offensive line. The number of goals scored this season was not as good as before.
This season is proof of that.
After Jeonbuk Hyundai was punished by the AFC and disqualified from the AFC Champions League this season for bribing referees, Ulsan Hyundai was fourth in the K-League and luckily got on the last train to the AFC Champions League.
The only thing that can make the Dragons wary is Kashima Antlers. Although they have won the AFC Champions League in history, after easily eliminating the South American Copa Libertadores champion 3:0 in the Club World Cup, they almost let Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final.
Kashima Antlers were eliminated midway through last season, but the strength of their team and the thickness of their bench are still very good.
In the predictions of the AFC Champions League before the season, the Dragons and Kashima Antlers have basically booked the right to qualify in Group E. The only suspense is who can finish first in the group.
The same is true in actual games.
Playing at home, the Longteng team relied on strong pressure to easily lead Muangtong United 2:0 in the first half. In the second half, Nie Jiang completed his first hat trick in the AFC Champions League, plus Chavez's
With the goal, the Longteng team easily swept the Thai championship team 4:0 at home.
The commentator's summary of this game is: "This is not a game between teams at the same level. Whether it is the individual abilities of the players or the team's overall tactics, the gap is too big. The Longteng team, which missed the opportunity to enter the AFC Champions League finals last season,
This game tells all Asian clubs that we are back."
A week later, the Longteng team played away from home and won the AFC Champions League again. This time they defeated the home team 1:3 in an away game against Ulsan Hyundai.
Ulsan Hyundai's pre-match hopes were dashed.
Ulsan Hyundai, which has the same "Hyundai" name as Jeonbuk Hyundai, is actually quite different from Jeonbuk Hyundai. The former's backstage boss is the Hyundai Motor Group, the most powerful in the Hyundai Group, while Ulsan is owned by the Hyundai Group (in addition, in the K2 League
There is also Busan Hyundai owned by the construction subsidiary of Hyundai Group), the investment of the latter is much lower than that of the former.
After luckily entering the AFC Champions League, the club hurriedly bought foreign players. Although it quickly bought forward Charles from Austria Vienna, Australian midfielder Pettoras from Brisbane Roar of the Australian Super League, and Changchun Changchun
Yatai's Orsic allowed him to return to the K-League for the second time, but such a temporary signing made the team's integration not smooth.
Especially this season, Ulsan Hyundai's head coach changed. Yoon Jeong-hwan resigned as the coach of the team and new head coach Kim Do-hoon arrived. This arrogant coach highly praised "wolf football" and wanted to change the situation under the command of Yoon Jeong-hwan.
His purpose is to focus on defensive counterattack tactics, focus on offense, and increase pressure and aggression.
Kim Do-hoon said boldly before the game: "Before, the outside world said that we were lucky enough to enter the AFC Champions League. Tonight we will prove that we are an AFC Champions League team."
I don’t know where he found the courage after losing 0:2 to Kashima Antlers in the first round away game. The Dragons’ 1:3 score once again woke him up.
After Kashima Antlers were defeated by Muangtong United 2:1 in an unexpected away game this round, the Longteng team has already taken a step ahead in the group. If such a "nail house" in the AFC Champions League succeeds in taking the lead, it will be difficult for the teams behind to catch up.
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The Longteng team leads the group, and other Chinese Super League teams have also shown excellent competitive form. The defending champion Guangzhou Evergrande swept the Oriental team and last season's knockout opponent Shuiyuan Samsung 7:0, 3:0 consecutively, as if
This season's AFC Champions League is already guaranteed. Jiangsu Suning also scored 6 points with two small wins. These three teams all ranked first in the group.
Compared with these three teams, Shanghai SIPG won two consecutive games, including an away victory over K-League seed team Seoul FC. However, due to goal difference, it ranked second in the group, which turned out to be the worst result.
When some fans complained on the forum that Shanghai SIPG was holding back the Chinese Super League, someone replied: "There are still people who are not satisfied with such results. Think about the AFC Champions League a few years ago. Is it the fans of the Chinese Super League who are distracted, or is it something else?"
All the teams in the league can’t afford it.”
"If you still dare to raise a knife in front of the Chinese Super League team, you will really become a big knife in front of Guan Gong."
