The Chinese Super League transfer market has once again been set into turmoil. With Oscar officially bidding farewell to Shanghai Port and joining Brazilian club Sao Paulo, the departure of this Brazilian star who has played in the CSL for many years not only leaves Port without a key player but also drops a bombshell on the entire league landscape.
Oscar's departure is like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake. Although Port was prepared, it is still difficult for them to find a player who can completely replace his role in a short period of time. Even with a top salary offer of 3 million euros, it remains a challenging task to attract a foreign aid of comparable strength to Oscar in the current football market environment.
As various teams are gearing up and actively preparing for the new season, an unexpected message comes from Shandong Taishan. This old-fashioned powerhouse not only has no new signings but is also facing the dilemma of important players leaving en masse. The team's "four pillars" - Liao Lisheng, Jadson, Tong Lei, and Pato - may all leave during this winter window.
Most notably, there is Liao Lisheng's future. The renewal negotiations between this national team's main defensive midfielder and Taishan have reached an impasse. In the current CSL, excellent domestic midfielders are a rare resource. Henan originally had their sights set on the golden duo of Liao Lisheng and Zhang Xiaobin, but Zhang has already chosen to join Shenzhen New Pengcheng. For Liao Lisheng, Chengdu Rongcheng's contract offer is very attractive. Not only is the salary treatment generous, but he can also participate in the next season's AFC Champions League, which is a platform that Taishan cannot currently provide.
Meanwhile, the change of agent for Brazilian central defender Jadson has also attracted attention from the outside world. His new agent happens to be Cui Kangxi's agent, and this subtle change in relationship, coupled with factors such as the player's increasing age, inconsistent form, and injury concerns, has led Taishan to decide not to renew his contract.
News that Tong Lei will return to Zhejiang is already widely discussed, and Pato has even been listed by the club for cleaning. Within just a few weeks, Taishan faces the plight of four key players leaving one after another, yet there has been no sign of new signings, causing fans to worry.
It is reported that Taishan may face budget cuts for the new season. Faced with this predicament, the club has turned its attention to internal potential tapping. Players previously loaned out have been recalled to participate in winter training, and the coaching staff will re-evaluate these players, hoping to uncover talents to strengthen the first-team lineup.
However, the title race for the new CSL season will become even more unpredictable. Teams like Shanghai Shenhua, Chengdu Rongcheng, Beijing Guoan, and Zhejiang are all actively reinforcing, reminiscent of the fierce competition among the English Premier League's "Big 6." In this arms race, Taishan's silence is particularly thought-provoking.
However, fans need not worry too much. There are still more than two months before the start of the new season, and the winter transfer window has just opened. Taishan has ample time to adjust its squad and formulate a reasonable recruitment plan. After all, as a traditional powerhouse in the CSL, Taishan will not stand idly by and watch its strength continue to weaken.
Looking back at the past few years of the CSL, we have witnessed too many unexpected plots. The comings and goings of players, the ups and downs of clubs, all tell of the ever-changing world of football. Taishan's current difficulties may well be an opportunity for rebirth. As a veteran fan said, "In the sport of football, there is no permanent low point, nor eternal glory; the key is finding a breakthrough in adversity."
During this winter window filled with variables, every decision made by Taishan will touch the hearts of fans. What we look forward to seeing is this old powerhouse finding its own path to rebirth in the midst of difficulties. After all, the excitement of the CSL requires more strong teams to compete healthily to jointly write its story.