In the fiercely competitive green field of the Chinese Super League, central defenders over 1.9 meters tall are as rare and precious as treasures. Among them, Beijing Guoan boasts the most such players among the top four clubs.
Shanghai Port finds it challenging to locate a central defender exceeding 1.9 meters in height among their players. Wei Zhen, standing at 1.89 meters, is an example of a player with remarkable skills but slightly lacking in "altitude." Similarly, Chengdu Rongcheng lacks towering central defenders, which weakens their aerial defense. Shandong Taishan has Marcel, valued at 50,000 euros, who just crosses the 1.9-meter threshold, but his presence in the 2025 CSL season remains uncertain, leaving fans anxious.
Turning our attention to Shanghai Shenhua, Jiang Shenglong stands out like a tall tower among central defenders, using his height of over 1.9 meters to lead the team's aerial defense. Having been loaned out twice to Tianjin and Chongqing, he has now returned to Shenhua and become a core member.
The mainstay, Enjadeu from Cameroon, stands at 1.90 meters tall and is a formidable presence on the field. He was selected for the best lineup in the 2023 season and fully committed in the 2024 season, playing 30 games with solid defense and contributing 3 goals and 1 assist in attack, making him a versatile asset that strikes fear into opponents.
African foreign aid Mamadou stands at 1.91 meters, considered a "giant" among Malian players. His performance on the field is impressive, with many believing he outshines Enjadeu. However, with his contract expiring and no news on renewal, it remains unclear whether he will continue to play for Guoan next season.
Domestic central defender Bai Yang, born in 1998, boasts a height of 1.92 meters. He gained 12 appearances in the 2024 season, showing promise. If Mamadou leaves and Wu Shaocong does not join, Bai Yang could potentially step up to become a pillar of the team's defense, taking on the responsibility of guarding Guoan's goal.
Speaking of Wu Shaocong, this post-00s youngster also stands at 1.92 meters tall. His football journey is unique, having ventured overseas at 18 to play for Júbilo Iwata in Japan's professional football league, then at 23 moving to Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey's Super League, and even experiencing the TFF First League with Gençlerbirliği before landing at Radomiak Radom in Poland's Ekstraklasa in 2024 without getting any playing time but gaining valuable experience. He successfully made it into the first training camp of the national team in 2025. With the winter transfer window open, whether his connection with Beijing Guoan will begin and if he will join on loan remains to be officially announced, keeping fans in suspense.