Shenhua New Move! 31-year-old Naturalized International Li Ke or Join, Premier League Giant Background, Defensive Iron Gate Arrives?
Hey there, Shanghai Shenhua fans and all you football enthusiasts in China, we've got a big story to discuss today! Have you heard? It seems that Shanghai Shenhua is about to shake things up with the potential signing of 31-year-old naturalized international Li Ke, a midfielder with Premier League pedigree, who could be joining our Blue Devils family! Is this for real? Let's dive into it together.
Last season, Shenhua soared in the Chinese Super League with an impressive record of 24 wins, 5 draws, and 1 loss. However, they fell just short of the championship by a single point. In the new season, Shenhua is not going to settle for anything less and will continue their pursuit of the coveted Fire God Cup. Coach Slutsky has been retained, and the national team players are all geared up for another shot at glory. The arrival of striker Malele has undoubtedly added more firepower to Shenhua's attack. But that's not all; in the transfer market, Shenhua is making waves, ready to make a significant impact.
With Cao Yunding retiring and veterans like Jin Yangyang and Xu Yougang leaving after their contracts expired, several positions in the squad have become vacant, urgently needing fresh blood. Especially in the central midfield position, where the veteran Wu Xi will be 36 next season, despite his excellent form last season, can he maintain that level of performance? This is when Shenhua set their sights on naturalized international Li Ke.
Li Ke, born Yanaris in May 1993, is a British-Chinese player who came through the Arsenal youth academy, with genuine Premier League giant roots. Back in the day, he was even selected for the England youth team and made his debut in the Premier League at the age of 19. Although he didn't establish himself in Arsenal's first team, he had a successful career in the Championship.
In 2019, Li Ke made a bold decision - to join the Chinese nationality and Beijing Guoan, becoming the first naturalized international in Chinese football history. Despite being plagued by injuries during his time at Beijing Guoan, only playing 98 times, scoring 3 goals, and providing 8 assists, his abilities were evident, and he was well-regarded by the fans. Last season, Li Ke played 24 times in the Chinese Super League, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists, earning the trust of head coach Suarez. Unfortunately, after his contract expired, he chose not to renew and left Guoan.
Now, Shenhua has seized this opportunity and plans to bring Li Ke on board. With no transfer fee required, they would be acquiring a proven Premier League-level defensive midfielder, which is a great deal. In the transfer market, Li Ke is valued at 275,000 euros, ranking him among the top domestic midfielders. While he may not have any jaw-dropping offensive feats, his defense is rock-solid, and he plays a pivotal role in connecting the defense and attack. With him, Shenhua's midfield strength will undoubtedly reach new heights.
Ah, speaking of which, are Shenhua fans already eager to see Li Ke donning the Shenhua jersey and galloping across Hongkou Football Stadium? Hold your horses; nothing is set in stone yet, but we can certainly look forward to it. After all, Shenhua is never short of grand gestures, and bringing in Li Ke is not out of the question.
If Li Ke does join Shenhua, our lineup for the new season will be luxurious indeed. With forwards like Martinez and Bassogo, adding defensive powerhouse Li Ke in midfield, and a group of experienced veterans in the back, the fighting power is enough to make anyone drool.
So, fellow fans, let's cheer for Shenhua together! We hope the club can finalize this transfer as soon as possible, allowing Li Ke to wear the Shenhua jersey and bring glory to our Blues! When that time comes, let's shout that familiar slogan together at Hongkou Football Stadium: "Shenhua, Shenhua, we love you!"