Behind Beijing Guoan's formidable lineup lies a group of young talents with dreams and burgeoning abilities, struggling to make their mark. As the new season approaches, the intense competition for places within the team has left many promising stars facing the challenge of limited playing time. In response, the club has resorted to loaning out these players as a strategic choice. This is evident as soon as renowned coach Setien took office and began leading the winter training, two young talents were released by Guoan.
According to well-known sports blogger "CSL Observer," Beijing Guoan's young talent Liang Shaowen may join Shaanxi United, while another young talent Ruan Qilong may join Chongqing Tongliang Long. As an established powerhouse in the Chinese Super League (CSL), Beijing Guoan boasts a strong squad that showcases the team's strength but also brings about the "happy trouble" of having experienced veterans or prime international players occupying every position. It is no easy feat for young players to establish themselves in the first team. Talented young players like Liang Shaowen and Ruan Qilong, despite their excellent performances in training, have few opportunities in actual matches. Over time, this not only hampers the development of their skills but also risks wasting their precious youth. Loaning them out opens another door to growth, allowing them to escape the shadow and pressure of their parent club and venture into different leagues where they can freely sweat and accumulate practical experience.
In the second half of last season, Liang Shaowen's loan spell at Nantong Zhiyun showed the positive changes brought about by loans. With 13 appearances, 6 starts, and 2 assists, these numbers reflect his trials and tribulations in actual combat. Although the China League One level is not as competitive as the CSL, the match intensity and confrontational nature are just right for young players.
Joining Shaanxi United presents a new challenge for Liang Shaowen. There, he will be a key player to cultivate, shouldering the responsibility of attacking and organizing offense in every game. Facing opponents of similar strength, his passing vision, tactical understanding, and decision-making on the field will receive comprehensive training. Accumulating confidence and refining technical details in the League One arena, he is expected to return to Guoan in a more mature manner in the future, vying for a starting spot in the first team.
During his loan spell at Liaoning Ironman last season, Ruan Qilong also performed admirably. With 12 appearances and 9 starts, scoring 1 goal, this young defender demonstrated his abilities with actions. The China League Two, as a transition between the CSL and League One, offers a more competitive environment and higher tactical demands.
If he joins Chongqing Tongliang Long in the new season, Ruan Qilong will face even stronger opposition. Competing against various strong teams in League Two, his defensive anticipation, positioning, and blocking skills will improve further; offensively, he will have more opportunities to participate in set-piece tactics and assist in attacks. The trials in League Two will allow him to shed his naivety and grow into an all-round defender capable of both attack and defense, infusing fresh vitality into Guoan's backline.
Guoan's decision to loan out young talents like Liang Shaowen and Ruan Qilong is not a temporary measure but a strategic layout for the long term. On one hand, young players receive adequate training during their loan spells, enhancing their abilities, and upon returning to Guoan, they can enrich the team's depth and provide strong support in multi-front battles. On the other hand, this move sends a positive signal both inside and outside the club, emphasizing the importance of youth training and taking responsibility for young players, attracting more outstanding prospects to join Guoan's youth training system.