The battle for the championship in the 2024 Chinese Super League (CSL) was not particularly intense, as it was essentially a competition between the two Shanghai teams, who were clearly stronger than the other teams. However, this situation will not continue into the next season, as the championship race is expected to become more complex.
Shanghai Port's strength has declined, and they will no longer possess an overwhelming advantage after the departure of their top foreign players, Oscar and Balagas. Even with ample funds, it is almost impossible to find replacements under the salary cap regulations, and the likelihood of finding valuable players at the current salary level is extremely low. Additionally, the group of players from Chongming Island are gradually aging, with Wang Shenchao, Lü Wenjun, and Zhang Linpeng, among others, largely phased out of the starting lineup, and Wu Lei is also getting older. Moreover, compared to other strong teams, the local players of Shanghai Port no longer have an advantage. Furthermore, the club will become more cautious in terms of investment and enter a relatively "low-key period."
It is expected that by the next season, Shanghai Port's overall strength will decrease to a certain extent, and even if Muscat is very capable, he will face the challenge of making bricks without straw.
Shanghai Shenhua, on the other hand, has shown a different situation. They made a full recovery in the 2024 season and performed very strongly. This was the closest they had been to the CSL championship since 2008, missing out on the trophy by just one point. Although they did not win the championship, the team demonstrated strong competitiveness. After a season of integration and exploration, head coach Slutsky has a higher degree of integration with the team, and he has gained a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the tactical characteristics, player strengths, and game rhythms of the other CSL teams.
Looking ahead to the next season, Shenhua's squad planning is already clear, and they will further strengthen their lineup in a targeted manner. The fact that they did not renew the contract with their top scorer, Malele, indicates that winning the championship will be the sole goal for Shenhua in the new season.
The next season of the CSL will not be dominated solely by Shenhua, as the gap between the top teams will narrow, making the competition for the championship even more intense.
Among them, Beijing Guoan has shown ambitious intentions. Not only have they brought in former Barcelona coach Setien, but they also have Serginho, who is about to become the core of the national team's midfield, and a batch of powerful domestic and foreign aid on the way. It can be seen that Beijing Guoan's strength will also be greatly enhanced in the new season, becoming the strongest competitor for Shenhua's championship aspirations. However, Beijing Guoan has experienced frequent changes in head coaches in recent years, and whether Setien can fit in with the team is an uncertain factor.
Chengdu Rongcheng has performed well since being promoted to the CSL, improving step by step. They have not only established themselves in the league but have also become a quasi-first-class force. While they may be able to join the championship race in the new season, they still lack the finishing touch to become a favorite for the title. However, Chengdu Rongcheng's power cannot be overlooked, and they will continue to play the role of judge for the CSL championship, with each of their match results potentially having a significant impact on the championship's outcome.
Additionally, Shandong Taishan cannot be ignored, as their hard power is evident. If they can resolve their differences with head coach Choi Kang-hee, they might pleasantly surprise the fans of Shandong.
In general, many teams in the new season of the CSL will make progress, and the gap in strength between the teams will be smaller than last season, making the competition even more fierce. Teams like Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and Zhejiang, although not contenders for the championship, have the ability to cause trouble for the championship teams, adding uncertainty to the championship race.