Shandong Taishan FC is making strategic adjustments following a period of contention with the Cui Kangxi coaching team. This off-season has seen significant personnel changes, with multiple players either transferring or retiring, providing the team with more room for adjustment. The strategic shifts from foreign to domestic players are particularly evident, with the club leveraging its relationship with Brazilian sports to implement changes in foreign player recruitment. Additionally, the plan to rely on the domestic training program at Luneng Football School is taking shape. Currently, it appears that the scale of domestic player acquisitions for Shandong Taishan will shrink significantly, and in extreme cases, they may not make any new signings at all. At least for now, all the domestic players nominated by Cui Kangxi have been rejected. Regardless of who the head coach is next season, young players are expected to receive more opportunities. Looking solely at the current player reserves, several players should enter the Chinese Super League's radar next season. If not for the National Games, this scale would likely be even larger. However, even with the National Games, the rise of young players should still be evident. At present, there are at least five players worth looking forward to. The most anticipated are the defensive duo of Shi Songchen and Peng Xiao, who are also the two core central defenders of the national youth team. Fans familiar with Shandong Taishan know that the team's domestic training program has been most lacking in central defenders over the years. Luneng Football School has not produced a national-level central…

Recently, Inter Milan's defensive line has welcomed a new highlight - Biscuit. Honestly, this kid is not simple, and his performance is amazing. At the beginning of the season, his performance caught people's attention, especially during Pavar's absence due to injury, he stepped up to replace Pavar's position, which was really impressive. This also makes people start to think, will Biscuit's position be squeezed out after Pavar returns? We need to look at Biscuit's growth experience. This young man joined Inter last summer, and at first, everyone didn't have too high expectations for him, after all, he is a young player. Who would have thought that as the season progressed, he gradually integrated into Inter's tactical system and became more and more mature. You see, because Pavar was injured twice last year and this year, Biscuit got many opportunities, and he did not waste these opportunities. Especially this season, Biscuit can perform freely in multiple positions such as right-back and central defender, with basically no major issues. Looking back at Pavar, he only transferred from Bayern to Inter last year, just preparing to show his skills, but injuries kept coming to him, which made his starting position somewhat precarious. Biscuit is not an ordinary person. This young man's performance on the defensive line has gradually stabilized, playing more and more like a veteran. If you say that Biscuit's position will be replaced after Pavar returns, it's estimated that you have to ask Inter coach Inzaghi. Honestly, Inzaghi must be having a headache now. The competition on the team's defensive line…

In the days of Milan, Abraham did not show the state that everyone expected. You see, it was originally thought that this striker could bring a new storm to Milan's front line, but what about? He seemed to have never been able to truly integrate into the team, and it can even be said that he has never found his own rhythm. After watching several games, many people began to doubt: Is this kid really the core center that Milan wants? If so, why is his performance always so mediocre? Let's talk about the competition with Morata first. Everyone knows that Morata, although he occasionally makes some low-level mistakes, at least he can give some surprises in the offensive end. But Abraham? His performance made people a little disappointed, and he completely failed to form an effective competition with Morata. Can you imagine? A big forward stands on the court like a decoration, rather than fighting in the game and competing for the starting position. Even if he comes off the bench, his performance has not played a wonderful game worth saying. To be honest, the fans of Milan should have been a bit disappointed? Who doesn't want their team to have a reliable forward, but a person who gets lost every game. And speaking of Abraham's current role, well, this is indeed unsatisfactory. Now he has gradually become a substitute center for Milan. Can you imagine such a situation? From a player who was highly anticipated when he was introduced, to the current substitute role, the change is quite…

Brentford Challenges Arsenal, Outcome Uncertain!‌ At 1:30 AM Beijing time on January 2nd, Brentford will face Arsenal at home. This is a highly anticipated Premier League match, with both teams being strong contenders in their respective leagues. So, who will ultimately come out on top in this clash? Here's today's analysis of the game. Currently ranked seventh in the Premier League, Brentford has a noticeable gap from Arsenal in the standings. However, the team has been in good form recently, with high morale. Brentford's main issue lies in defensive vulnerabilities, but they boast several capable players in attack, making their offensive power not to be underestimated. The biggest advantage for Brentford in this match is playing at home, where they have achieved an impressive record of four wins and one draw in their last five home games. Arsenal, currently third in the Premier League, has shown overall stability. The team has a balanced lineup with outstanding players on both offense and defense, including top forwards like Aubameyang and Lacazette. However, Arsenal's away form has been somewhat inconsistent, with their last two away matches ending in draws. Therefore, the biggest challenge for Arsenal in this match is how to adjust their state and secure a victory away from home. The disparity in strength between the two sides is clear, with Arsenal's overall strength far surpassing that of Brentford. Especially considering Arsenal also has the advantage of playing at home, they are eager to bounce back after being defeated by Chelsea and boost morale with a win. Thus, facing Brentford presents an…

With the arrival of the new year, La Liga has once again made clear its firm stance. The personal profiles of Olmo and Victor, along with their respective jersey numbers, have disappeared from the official La Liga website. Meanwhile, Christensen still appears on the website; Barcelona had initially registered Olmo by taking advantage of his long-term injury. However, the registration validity for Olmo and Victor could only last until December 31, 2024. With the passing of that day, La Liga took action in accordance with regulations, as described in their statement on December 31 (for more details, refer to my earlier article today, linked below). Yesterday, at the request of La Liga, Barcelona submitted documents related to the sale of VIP seats at Camp Nou, including contracts and payment guarantees. However, the latest news indicates that the employers' association cannot confirm receipt of all expected revenue. As a result, Barcelona was compelled to issue an official statement revealing that they have submitted an application to the Spanish Football Federation, requesting new registration certificates for Olmo and Victor. However, according to information from the Spanish Football Federation, no player can obtain a registration certificate without the official approval of La Liga. Despite this, Barcelona remains confident. The club has stated that they will provide a full explanation of the situation on January 3.

Once hailed as the new "Twin Stars" of South America, Endrick and Roco attracted the attention of two European giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona, with their remarkable talent and potential. Under the halo of astronomical transfer fees, they started their careers at an extremely high level. However, from being hotly sought after in South American stadiums to now hovering on the fringes of La Liga, the value of these two future stars has plummeted, causing people to wonder: Is it that the genius met reality too early, or is the pressure of the big clubs too much to bear? I. The Shining Beginning of the Twin Stars Endrick was signed by Real Madrid at the age of 16 for a hefty transfer fee of 47.5 million euros. His performance in the Brazilian domestic league was dazzling, showcasing not only mature shooting skills but also excellent game-reading abilities, leading many to believe he would become a mainstay in Real Madrid's forward line in the future. Similarly, 19-year-old Roco was also signed by Barcelona for a high price, with a transfer fee of 61 million euros that included a large amount of bonuses tied to his performance, showing the high expectations the club had for him. These two young men stood out from the South American stage, proving their potential and successfully becoming the focus of competition among the big clubs. However, reality did not go as smoothly as they imagined. II. The Growth Challenges Under the Glare of the Big Clubs After joining Real Madrid, Endrick made 15 appearances this season,…

Teng Hahe was sacked, and when Manchester United finalized Amorim, the prospects were promising. At that time, Amorim, who coached the Portuguese Super League defending champion Sporting Portugal, won consecutive victories in the Portuguese Super League and the Champions League, leading the Portuguese Super League standings strongly, and on the Champions League stage, they defeated Manchester City 4-1. In the 16th round of the Premier League, it was the first Manchester Derby in Amorim's coaching career, leading Manchester United to defeat Guardiola's team, the defending Premier League champions, 2-1 away from home. Also favored was Amorim's favorite player at Sporting Portugal, Yorkres. When Teng Hahe coached before, Manchester United had long been in a state of weak attack. In the ninth round of the Premier League, Manchester United lost 1-2 to West Ham United away from home, which was Teng Hahe's last game before being sacked. At that time, Manchester United had 3 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses in 9 games, accumulating 11 points, ranking 14th in the Premier League standings. In 9 games, Manchester United scored 8 goals and conceded 11, with their attacking power ranking third from the bottom among the 20 teams in the Premier League, only scoring 2 more goals than Crystal Palace and Southampton during the same period. If Amorim can bring his former protégé Yorkres from Sporting Portugal to Manchester United during the winter window, can the Red Devils' offense be greatly improved? The honeymoon period between Amorim and Manchester United has passed, and it seems that there was never a honeymoon to…

Just last season, a few months ago, Manchester United's genius new star Kobe Menu was still the standout in the team. This young man played his part in England's rise to the final of the 2024 European Cup during an outstanding season in his first participation in high-level football matches. In November 2023, Erik ten Hag belatedly brought this local youngster into the Manchester United squad for the first time, starting him in the Premier League match against Everton after he was injured in the preseason. Menu's performance as the best player in the Premier League at Goodison Park set the tone for his personal glory in the 2023/24 season. For this graduate of the Manchester United youth academy, a significant highlight came in February when Menu locked down all three points for the team in dramatic circumstances against Wolves. He cleverly weaved through the home team's defense and then sent the ball into the corner of the goal with elegance. A Premier League star was born. However, this talented midfielder returned to Molineux Stadium on Boxing Day, embodying the rookie wall problem that any young player often encounters. In the disappointing 2024/25 season so far, 19-year-old Menu has performed poorly. In his 50th appearance for the first team, Menu looked like a shadow of the player who shone last season. As Samuel Luckhurst said, Menu struggled in midfield. Now deployed in midfield alongside summer signing Manuel Ugarte, this Manchester United youth talent seems somewhat behind the pace, winning only twice in eight duels, failing to complete a dribble, and…

Manchester City's 2-0 victory over Leicester City undoubtedly provided them with some relief, especially considering their recent form. However, the focus of this match extended beyond just the win. The biggest news from the game was not about City's relentless attack or their solid defense, but rather the absence of their record signing, Jack Grealish, who did not play a single minute despite his €120 million price tag. Grealish, the most expensive player in Manchester City's history, remained on the bench throughout the match. Despite the significant investment in him, he has failed to score any goals and even his assist count is limited. His last goal for City was against Crystal Palace in December 2022, and nearly a year later, he has yet to rediscover his form. Pep Guardiola chose not to use one of his substitutions on Grealish, which has led to questions about the player's future at the club. Some fans have suggested that Guardiola may no longer trust Grealish, and if this continues, it could spell trouble for the midfielder's career at City. The team's performance in the match was strong, with City controlling the game and securing a victory after a series of impressive combinations led to their first win in six matches. However, the spotlight remains on Grealish's lack of involvement. There are concerns that Grealish's personal life may be affecting his professional performance, with rumors suggesting that he is too relaxed off the field. This, coupled with his lackluster on-field displays, has raised doubts about his ability to regain his previous level of…

In the 19th round of the Premier League, Manchester United suffered a two-goal defeat at home to Newcastle, marking their third consecutive loss in the league and their fifth defeat in the last six matches. Despite still ranking 14th, they are increasingly distant from the Champions League spots while inching closer to the relegation zone. Relegation? A topic that seemingly should not exist has suddenly become a reality for Manchester United. Captain Fernandes was suspended due to a red card, and Ugaite was also absent due to accumulated yellow cards, leaving a "vacuum" in Manchester United's midfield. Casemiro and Eriksen, both 32-year-old "veterans," were forced to start together. With two nearly identical header goals, Newcastle managed to crush Manchester United in less than 20 minutes, leaving Amorim with no choice but to substitute Zirkzee at the 33rd minute. The Dutch forward shed tears as he left the field. The tears flowed not only on the players but also filled the hearts of the fans. In eight Premier League games under Amorim, the team only managed two wins, one draw, and five losses, a record as poor as their city rivals, Manchester City, making the two Manchester teams the worst "twin bears" in the Premier League. Statistics show that throughout 2024, Manchester United accumulated only 51 league points, setting a new record for the worst performance in their Premier League history. If it weren't for Van Nistelrooy's temporary coaching stint that earned them four points, and if they hadn't made a comeback against Manchester City, they would have already fallen into…