The landscape of the Chinese Super League (CSL) will undergo changes, with Shanghai Shenhua emerging as a strong contender, making the title race more intense.
In 2024, the suspense surrounding the championship was significant, but not particularly fierce. Essentially, it was a competition between two Shanghai teams, with the "Shanghai Double" clearly stronger than other teams. However, this situation is set to change in the next season, with the title race becoming more complex.
After the departure of Oscar and Balagas, the two strongest foreign players left Shanghai Port. Even with sufficient funds, it is almost impossible to find equally skilled foreign players under the salary cap regulations. At current salary levels, the likelihood of finding exceptional talent is very small. Additionally, the group of players from Chongming Island has gradually faded away, with Wang Shenchao, Lü Wenjun, and Zhang Linpeng no longer in the main lineup. Furthermore, Wu Lei is already 33 years old, and there is no longer an advantage in domestic players.
Moreover, Shanghai Port will reduce its investment and enter a relatively low-key period. It is estimated that by the next season, the overall strength of Shanghai Port will decrease to some extent, and Muscat will face difficulties in player selection.
Shanghai Shenhua performed exceptionally strongly in the 2024 season, coming closest to the CSL title since 2008, falling just one point short of the championship trophy. Although they ultimately did not win the title, the team demonstrated significant strength. After a season of integration, head coach Slutsky has blended well with the team and gained a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of tactics and player capabilities of other CSL teams. In the next season, Shenhua will further strengthen itself with targeted improvements.
Furthermore, Shenhua did not renew the contract with their top scorer Malele, indicating higher requirements for foreign players, suggesting that winning the title will be Shenhua's sole goal for the new season.
While Shenhua is the strongest contender for the title, the next season of the CSL will not be dominated solely by them. The gap in strength among the top teams will shrink, making the title race even more intense.
Beijing Guoan has shown great ambition, not only inviting former Barcelona coach Setien but also introducing Serginho, the future core of the national team's midfield, and several powerful domestic and foreign players. It can already be seen that Beijing Guoan's strength will significantly improve in the new season, becoming the strongest competitor on Shenhua's path to the title. The only uncertainty is whether the newly arrived Setien can integrate with the team, given the frequent changes in coaches at Beijing Guoan in recent years.
Chengdu Rongcheng has performed well since being promoted to the CSL, improving year by year. Not only have they stabilized in the league, but they have also entered the ranks of strong teams. Although they still possess the strength to be among the top teams in the new season, they are not yet considered title contenders. However, Chengdu Rongcheng's power cannot be underestimated; they will continue to play the role of judge in the CSL championship, with each of their match results potentially having a significant impact on the title's outcome.
Additionally, Shandong Taishan cannot be overlooked, with their strength and heritage evident. The only trouble currently is the disagreement with Cuikangxi, which, if resolved well, could bring pleasant surprises to Shandong fans.
Overall, many teams in the new season of the CSL will make progress, with smaller gaps in strength compared to last season, leading to fiercer competition. Teams like Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and Zhejiang Team from the mid-table will also intensify the battle for the CSL championship.