After entering the winter break, Shandong Taishan has been quiet in the transfer market. However, the latest news from the Chinese Super League (CSL) transfer market indicates that Shandong Taishan will not agree to the return of Leonardo, the CSL Golden Boot winner, after his loan period expires. Instead, they will hand over this Brazilian powerhouse to their CSL rivals, Zhejiang FC, selling him outright to complete a permanent transfer. For Shandong Taishan, giving away such a powerful forward, who has consistently ranked high in the CSL scoring charts over multiple seasons, is indeed a very foolish decision.
This decision not only confuses and puzzles the fans of Shandong Taishan but also adds uncertainty to the competitive landscape of the new CSL season.
Leonardo, since joining the CSL, has quickly become a shining star on the field with his excellent physical qualities, precise shooting skills, and keen sense of goal. He has solid physical attributes and comprehensive abilities. As a striker, he possesses strong dominance within the penalty area, demonstrating high efficiency and threat whether it's heading or poaching at the feet. What's more valuable is that Leonardo is not just a "rough player" who relies solely on physical conditions. His positional awareness on the field, his understanding and coordination with teammates, as well as his calmness in handling the ball in critical moments, make him an indispensable core force in the team's offensive end.
Looking back at Leonardo's performance during his loan spell with Zhejiang FC in the last two seasons since leaving Shandong Taishan, he undoubtedly proved his tactical value with his actions. In the 2023 season, he played 23 games for Zhejiang FC, contributing 14 goals and 6 assists; last season, he was even more in top form, finishing just behind Chinese forward Wu Lei and ahead of many foreign shooters to win the CSL Silver Boot. This honor is undoubtedly a great affirmation of his personal abilities. In matches, Leonardo repeatedly stepped up in crucial moments, using key goals to help the team turn the tide and even secure victories. His presence is the guarantee of Zhejiang FC's victory over their opponents.
Therefore, after last season, many Chinese fans believed that Shandong Taishan would immediately recall this Brazilian super forward from Zhejiang FC. Because Leonardo's frontcourt dominance is too strong, recalling him is equal to regaining the guarantee of victory. But what no one expected was that such a highly anticipated superstar forward would be looked down upon by Shandong Taishan, who were willing to "hand him over."
For Shandong Taishan, such a decision is undoubtedly confusing. From a competitive perspective, Leonardo's departure will greatly weaken the team's attacking power, especially when facing strong opponents. Without his stable scoring point, the team's offensive efficiency will be significantly reduced.
In summary, the news that Shandong Taishan decided to sell Leonardo to Zhejiang FC has sparked extensive discussions and controversies among fans and the media. Judging from Leonardo's technical characteristics and his outstanding performance in the CSL over the past two seasons, if Shandong Taishan really does this, it is indeed very rash and foolish. However, there has been no final official announcement yet, so everything is still possible.