Goodbye Zhejiang! The CSL Golden Boot has landed, and Shandong Taishan is reshuffling its front line trident to overthrow Shanghai Port and charge for the championship.
The winter transfer window for the Chinese Super League (CSL) is about to open, with teams frantically preparing for the new season. The battle for signings is imminent. Zhejiang FC has been active, changing coaches by bringing in Pep Guardiola's assistant coach, Carneiro, and pursuing the second-tier German league's top scorer, Zivzivadze. However, the whereabouts of the team's famous former CSL Golden Boot winner, Leonardo, remains a mystery. In the 2024 season, Leonardo continued to shine with 21 goals, second only to Wu Lei, demonstrating his undeniable abilities. But now, with the CSL salary cap looming and Zhejiang FC facing financial constraints, his future with the team has become uncertain. Will he continue to wander or find a new home?
It is reported that Leonardo is highly likely to return to Shandong and rejoin Taishan FC. Despite the retention of head coach Choi Kang-hee for the new season, his power to sign players has been taken back by Jinan Culture and Tourism, and the mediocre forward Pato he brought over may be dropped by the team. Currently, Taishan FC's front line is eagerly awaiting reinforcement, and once Leonardo joins, he will form a Brazilian trident with Crescencio and Zecca. Imagine the firepower unleashed by this front line combination on the CSL field.
Let's talk about Zhejiang FC's situation. They have changed coaches and made signings during this winter transfer window with a clear goal: to achieve better results in the new season. Carneiro brings advanced European tactical concepts, and if Zivzivadze successfully joins, the team's attacking power could further improve. Unfortunately, the CSL salary cap acts like a tight-fitting spell, making Leonardo's high salary a "sweet burden" for the team. Although he scored 21 goals this season, contributing significantly to the team, the economic calculations force Zhejiang FC to reluctantly part with him.
Looking at Shandong Taishan, there were indeed issues with their front line. Crescencio was struggling alone, and Zecca needed more time to integrate, resulting in low overall offensive efficiency. Leonardo's appearance is like a "timely rain." Not only has he won the CSL Golden Boot, but his skills in front of the goal and shooting are also top-notch. If he really forms a trident with Crescencio and Zecca, it's too beautiful to imagine.
From fan discussions, everyone is discussing tactical cooperation. Some suggest that Leonardo should be in the center, with Crescencio and Zecca on both sides, using speed and technique to tear apart the opponent's defense; others think that Leonardo can be pulled to the side to cut inside and shoot, delivering a fatal blow to the opponents.
Furthermore, Shanghai Port has lost two key players, Oscar and Bargas, significantly reducing their attacking strength. With Leonardo's return, Shandong Taishan's front line will experience a qualitative leap. As Taishan FC will not participate in the AFC Champions League in the new season, they can focus entirely on the league and refine their lineup. With Leonardo's abilities and the coordination of Crescencio and Zecca, they are very likely to overthrow Shanghai Port and return to the championship race.
However, this matter is not set in stone, and there is no shortage of controversy. On one hand, some fans worry that since Leonardo has been away from Zhejiang FC for some time, whether he can quickly integrate into the new tactical system upon returning to Taishan FC is still unknown. Moreover, he was previously suspended for eight games for fighting in the AFC Champions League. Although Taishan FC will not participate in the AFC Champions League in the new season, it still makes people uneasy, fearing that he may have problems managing his emotions on the field.
On the other hand, although Shanghai Port has lost Oscar and Bargas, a dead camel is bigger than a horse, and they still have their foundation. It's possible that they will make big moves in the winter transfer window and bring in powerful new signings. At that time, even if Shandong Taishan reorganizes their trident, they may not be able to confidently defeat Shanghai Port. Furthermore, the CSL field is ever-changing, with other teams also recruiting and buying players, making the competition fiercer than ever imagined. Shandong Taishan's path to winning the championship in the new season is still fraught with difficulties.