Shandong Taishan: How Long Can They Afford to Wait?
As Wuhan Three Towns and Shanghai Port are busy bringing in strong reinforcements and preparing for the new season, Shandong Taishan seems to be lagging behind with no visible moves in the transfer market. The club's pace of recruitment appears to have been put on hold, with rumored foreign players being denied one after another and the strengthening of the squad yet to materialize. Faced with this situation, fans can't help but wonder: Is the club planning a big move, or is it simply procrastinating and hesitating?
The issue of foreign player recruitment at Taishan reflects a sense of bewilderment. From Aboubakar to Nene, and now to the currently favored Madruga, the club's efforts to bring in foreign talent have been likened to navigating a maze, with repeated attempts leading nowhere. In the fiercely competitive Chinese Super League (CSL), time waits for no one, and a slow start could mean falling behind.
From a broader perspective, other CSL clubs have already started their recruitment early, especially strong teams like Wuhan Three Towns and Shanghai Port, who have completed multiple reinforcements in key positions. In contrast, Shandong Taishan's actions seem puzzling, as if they are waiting for an elusive "perfect opportunity."
Madruga is currently the player most closely associated with Taishan in rumors. His versatility in attack and defense, particularly his accurate long passes and wide defensive coverage, could indeed address the team's current shortcomings in the central midfield position. If he were to form a midfield trio with Li Yuan and Huang Zhengyu, Taishan's midfield control would significantly improve, especially against strong Asian Champions League opponents, effectively addressing the issue of midfield disconnection. However, all of this remains hypothetical, with no concrete developments to date.
With foreign player recruitment stalled and no clear plan for domestic player reinforcement, the existing problems in Taishan's backline become even more pronounced. In the 2024 season, veteran Zheng Zhi's physical condition and form have shown a noticeable decline, Shi Ke has made continuous mistakes in key matches, and young Zhao Jianfei has had few opportunities to play, unable to shoulder the burden in the short term. The backline issues have become the team's biggest weakness.
In such circumstances, the importance of bringing in a quality central defender becomes paramount. There have been reports that Brazilian defender Enrique is a potential target, with his excellent tackling ability and precise long passes. If he were to join, he could take on the responsibility of being the core of the defense.
Especially in high-pressure matches, Enrique's experience and skills could provide the much-needed stability for the Taishan team. However, there is still no clear news on the progress of this player's recruitment, and the club's indecision is once again a cause for concern.
In addition to the slow pace of recruitment, internal conflicts within the Taishan club are also a hidden concern. Head coach Choi Kang-hee and his South Korean team have been accused of abusing their power in the recruitment process, which not only led to multiple recruitment failures but also deepened the contradictions between the club management and the coaching staff.
Choi Kang-hee's coaching style, focused on short-term results and a preference for experienced players, clearly conflicts with the club's long-term development philosophy. Historically, he has faced similar criticisms and even been sacked from other CSL teams. For Shandong Taishan, if they cannot resolve these internal conflicts, it will not only affect their recruitment efforts but may also lead to a bigger management crisis during the season.
Furthermore, this "reliance on veterans" is also a significant obstacle to the development of young players. Talented newcomers like Peng Xiao and Shi Songchen have been severely limited in their growth due to a lack of stable playing opportunities. For a club aiming for long-term development, this is undoubtedly very detrimental.
Speaking of the management issues at Taishan, Leonardo's experience serves as a cautionary tale. As the top scorer in the 2023 CSL season, he was loaned out by the club for an extended period and even abandoned at one point after winning the silver boot in the 2024 season. Such operations not only wasted the player's peak state but also caused the team to miss out on a game-changing asset.
Leonardo's plight exposes the chaos in Taishan's management. Similar cases include the previous high-priced signing Marcel, whose performance did not match his hefty transfer fee and salary. These failed cases remind the club that they must be more cautious in future recruitment, relying not just on market trends but choosing players that truly meet the team's needs.
So, how can Shandong Taishan break free from its current predicament?
Firstly, the club must optimize its internal management mechanisms, clarify its recruitment direction, and improve decision-making efficiency. If the power issues with Choi Kang-hee's team are not resolved, they will continue to hinder the team's development. Management needs to find a balance between short-term results and long-term planning, striving for good results in the current season while laying a solid foundation for the future.
Secondly, Taishan must seize the current transfer window to bring in players that truly meet the team's needs. The gap in the backline must be filled urgently, and the club should act decisively on targets like Madruga and Enrique, instead of continuing to hesitate.
Lastly, the cultivation of young players cannot be overlooked. Young talents like Peng Xiao and Mei Junshuai represent the team's future hopes. If the club continues to rely solely on veterans, their long-term development will be very passive. Instead of investing heavily in foreign players, it would be better to tap into internal potential and create more opportunities for young players to train and grow.
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