The national team has undergone a significant overhaul this time, kicking out a group of veterans, even discarding players like Wu Lei who have experience in La Liga. It seems they are genuinely willing to provide opportunities for the younger generation, but whether these young players can withstand the pressure remains uncertain.
The average age of the national team has dropped dramatically from over 35 to 26.7 years old, a sudden change that suggests Ivanković is aiming to completely refresh the national team. Despite Shanghai Port winning the double championship, only Yan Junling and Wei Zhen were selected, while Wu Lei and Jiang Guangtai, who previously made excuses not to participate, did not even make it onto the list this time.
Beijing Guoan and Shanghai Shenhua have become major contributors, each contributing seven players, with Shandong Taishan also having six players selected. Guoan has basically monopolized the midfield positions, with Hou Yongyong performing well in Norway and successfully making the cut this time, appearing quite proud in his WeChat moments.
It's no surprise that Cao Yongjing, a young player with solid skills, has been continuously selected. However, Yang Liyu's return is somewhat unexpected, as he hasn't been part of the national team for three years, suggesting he must have something special.
Serginho's situation has progressed smoothly, arriving in Beijing on January 3rd. Although Guoan has yet to officially announce it, he was already photographed at the airport wearing a Guoan scarf, which basically confirms the deal. It's rumored that the naturalization process is going well, and if completed by the end of February, he could be available for the national team matches in March.
Guoan has also experienced significant changes, with Yu Dabao and Zhang Chengdong not renewing their contracts due to their age, Li Ke choosing to leave, and Mamadou's departure being a real pity. However, Adenoro's departure has relieved fans. Now, they are looking to sign Wei Zhen and Wu Shaocong, which makes the lineup look quite impressive.
Under Setién's coaching, Guoan appears to be embracing beautiful football. Serginho can enhance creativity in midfield, while Wei Zhen and Wu Shaocong can strengthen the defense. This lineup should perform well together, but it will take time to gel, considering the number of new faces.
Guoan now has almost enough national team players to form a complete squad. If these newcomers can be utilized effectively, this season might bring some exciting new developments. The question is whether Setién can train them well, given the differences between the Chinese Super League and La Liga.
This overhaul of the national team is indeed drastic, but young players lack experience, which could be a disadvantage against strong teams like Saudi Arabia and Australia. However, in the long run, it might be beneficial, as we cannot always rely on a few veteran players.
The idea of naturalizing players is interesting. If Serginho succeeds, Guoan's strength will undoubtedly increase, but it's uncertain whether he can adapt to the rhythm of the Chinese Super League, which differs from the Brazilian league.
Guoan has been very proactive in recruitment. If successful, this lineup would be quite intimidating, but it remains to be seen how effective it will be in practice, as football is not solely determined by paper strength but also by actual performance.
The criteria for selecting players for the national team has clearly changed, favoring young players, but we cannot entirely dismiss the role of veterans. Perhaps we should proceed gradually, as replacing everyone with young players all at once carries too much risk.
The national team's reform efforts are indeed substantial, but relying solely on personnel changes may not be enough. We must also focus on youth training to ensure a continuous supply of new talent, otherwise, constant changes will not solve the fundamental problems.
Guoan is leading the way, having cultivated many national team players. Other clubs should follow suit, not just relying on foreign signings but also developing their own youth training programs, which is a sustainable approach for the future.