Zhejiang Team News: Foreign Aid Snatched by Bundesliga Team, Leonardo Not Signed, New Coach Already Confirmed
The recent news about the Zhejiang team, a Chinese Super League club, has left fans somewhat puzzled. The team was close to signing Georgian forward Zivzivadze, who had performed exceptionally well in the German second division, but he was intercepted by Bundesliga side Heidenheim, leaving Zhejiang needing to find a new forward.
Zivzivadze's impressive statistics in the German second division, particularly his performance at Karlsruher SC, had caught the attention of many clubs. Zhejiang was almost successful in securing him, but the sudden interest from a Bundesliga team put an end to the deal.
Despite having four foreign players in their attacking line - Efraim, Ousmane, Frank, and Lucas - Zhejiang clearly needs a reliable goal-scoring forward to address this shortcoming.
Leonardo could be a good option; during his loan spell at Zhejiang, he scored 36 goals and provided 12 assists in 54 games, which is quite commendable in the Chinese Super League.
However, Leonardo's salary demands seem to be too high, and negotiations with Zhejiang have not progressed. Additionally, his contract with Shandong Taishan still has over a year left, so it may take some time to resolve this situation.
Zhejiang has also recently lost two local players, Fan Jinming and Ning Fangze, who have both transferred to Dalian Kunlun, which will likely affect the team's overall strength.
Currently, Zhejiang seems to be lacking something. Although they have four foreign players, they lack a consistent goal-scorer, which could be problematic if not addressed before the new season.
The management should be actively seeking other transfer targets, as the transfer window is limited, and they cannot afford to miss out on opportunities.
New head coach Cardona comes from Guardiola's team, which sounds quite impressive, and he has even invited former Tenerife coach Cano to serve as an assistant.
Cardona has previous coaching experience with Al-Nassr Riyadh and Real Sociedad, and he specializes in the 3-5-2 formation, which may take some time for Zhejiang to adapt to.
The team is heading to Hainan for training soon and will go to West Asia during the Spring Festival, providing ample time for players to familiarize themselves with the new coach's tactical ideas.
Last season, Zhejiang's defense was quite poor, conceding 60 goals, ranking second-to-last in the league, only slightly better than bottom-placed Nantong Zhiyun.
The arrival of the new coaching staff may help improve the team's defense, given Cardona and Cano's extensive coaching experience.
The team's former attacking coach, Jordi, has left, and the new coaching staff may introduce a completely different tactical approach.
Cardona's Spanish football background might influence the team's future transfer direction, potentially attracting more Spanish-speaking players.
As long as the defensive issues are resolved while maintaining offensive firepower, Zhejiang should perform well in the new season.
Zhejiang finished seventh in the league last season with 38 points, which is not bad, but their defensive problems were quite pronounced.
With a new head coach and player changes in the new season, there may be an adjustment period.
The team's top priority now is to find a reliable forward. Although Zivzivadze did not join, Leonardo would be a good choice if the deal can be made.
Cardona's 3-5-2 formation requires high levels of fitness from the players, especially those on the flanks, so there may be intense training during the winter break.
Choosing to train in West Asia may also be an attempt to explore the Middle Eastern market, which is currently very active in football.
Defensive issues may not just be tactical but also require improvements in individual player abilities, which should be a focus during the winter training period.
The new coaching staff has brought a new tactical system that the team needs time to adapt to, but this process is promising.
Overall, Zhejiang's future looks hopeful. As long as they address their existing problems one by one, they should have a better performance in the new season.