In the 2024 season of the Chinese Super League (CSL), Shanghai Shenhua narrowly missed the championship by a mere one point, which was disappointing but also promising due to the potential shown by the team. Compared to their local rivals, Shanghai Port, Shenhua boasts a younger squad structure that lays a solid foundation for future development. This potential seems even more promising given the loss of Oscar and Balagas from Port!
During the off-season, Shenhua embarked on a large-scale squad adjustment. The first move was to part ways with foreign player Malele, with the club posting a farewell letter on social media to thank the meritorious player for his contributions. This decision seemed to signal the start of the team's reorganization, followed by media reports that four players would be leaving the team.
Among these four departing players, the most notable is goalkeeper Ma Zhen, who recently became engaged to Fan Zhiyi's daughter. Despite his contract not expiring until 2026, he chose to temporarily leave after only two appearances last season. It is reported that Ma Zhen will join the newly promoted Yunnan Yulong team on loan to seek more playing opportunities.
Fernando's situation is somewhat awkward. The player, on loan from Shandong Luneng, has a contract that expires on December 31. Based on his performance in the 2024 season, the possibility of Shenhua renewing his contract is minimal. Worse still, with Cui Kangxi still coaching Shandong Luneng, his path back to his old club is blocked, forcing him to look for a new home.
Dai Weijun, once seen as the future star of Chinese football, will also leave in this round of adjustments. The high-priced player's development trajectory over the past two years has not been as smooth as expected. After his loan spell at Shenzhen Xinpengcheng, his next destination has become a new mystery.
The last player is Xie Pengfei from Wuhan Three Towns. Although he was also brought in at a high price, his time at Shenhua has not been smooth. With two years left on his contract, there is an obvious mismatch in tactical styles between the two sides. Chengdu Rongcheng has expressed interest in him, which could be a new starting point for his career.
Although this personnel adjustment may affect the team's overall strength in the short term, it is a necessary step for Shenhua to promote its youth strategy in the long run. By optimizing the squad structure and freeing up salary space, conditions are created for bringing in fresh blood, demonstrating Shenhua's clear development plan.
As a fan who has been following the CSL for a long time, I believe that Shenhua's reform has far-reaching strategic significance. First, it shows that the club has a clear development plan, not blindly pursuing immediate results but focusing on sustainable development in the future. Second, in the current environment where Chinese football emphasizes youth training, Shenhua's proactive promotion of youth construction aligns with policy guidance and is beneficial for the team's long-term development.
Of course, the reform process inevitably encounters pain, but as long as the direction is correct, success will eventually be achieved. I look forward to Shenhua being able to bring in new recruits that fit the team's strategy in the new season, maintaining its youthfulness while also maintaining competitiveness, and bringing more exciting matches to fans.
Most importantly, this spirit of bold reform is worth learning from by other clubs. At a critical juncture in the development of Chinese football, only through bold innovation and reform can the entire industry progress. I believe that through this adjustment, Shenhua will meet the challenges of the new season with a more positive attitude and contribute to the development of Chinese football!