Who is the winner of this trade? The news that Zhong Yihao is close to joining the Shandong Taishan team has caused a heated discussion among fans. Some people believe that the Taishan team has completely made up for the shortcoming of the left-back position through this operation, while Henan team has gained two potential players and laid the foundation for the future. However, some people question whether such a transaction is really beneficial to both sides? What impact will the mobility of young players have on their careers?
As an all-round player, Zhong Yihao has always been the backbone of Henan team. He can not only play as a left-back but also act as a midfielder, with comprehensive skills and strong adaptability. Last season, he performed very steadily in the Chinese Super League, capable of attacking and defending, and could even send assists at critical moments. For the Taishan team, such immediate combat effectiveness is absolutely rare.
In recent years, the left-back position of the Taishan team has always been a weakness. Although Liu Yang is an experienced player, his state has been somewhat unstable, often criticized for "losing Jingzhou due to carelessness." The addition of Zhong Yihao undoubtedly brings new competition to the left-back position and gives Cui Kangxi more options in lineup arrangements. However, whether he can quickly integrate into the team and form a benign competition with Liu Yang is also a great challenge for Zhong Yihao.
Compared with Zhong Yihao's success, the departure of two young players has made some fans feel sorry. Jia Fei is the main defensive midfielder of the national Olympic team, with excellent defensive ability, good at interception and tackling; Liu Guobao is regarded as the future hope of Luneng's front line. He is not only the best player in the U21 league but also won the Luneng Golden Boot, with a promising future.
So, why is the Taishan team willing to let go of these two potential stocks? The answer may lie in Cui Kangxi's philosophy of using players. As we all know, Cui Kangxi has always preferred to use experienced veterans rather than giving young players too many opportunities. This has led to young players like Jia Fei and Liu Guobao, who are excellent in strength, but may find it difficult to get enough playing time in Cui Kangxi's system. Instead of wasting time on the bench, they might as well take the opportunity to change the environment and find their own stage.
Compared with the performance pressure of the Taishan team, Henan team's situation seems more pragmatic. The team has been looking for suitable local players, especially those young players with potential in recent years. The arrival of Jia Fei and Liu Guobao just meets the needs of Henan team.
For Jia Fei, the main position in the midfield of Henan team is almost tailor-made for him. The team needs a player who can control the rhythm of the midfield, and Jia Fei obviously has such abilities. As long as he can quickly integrate into the tactical system, it is likely that he will become the core of the team's midfield without any accidents.
As for Liu Guobao, this former top scorer faces greater challenges in Henan team. On the one hand, he needs to overcome the shadow of previous injuries and recover his state as soon as possible; on the other hand, he also needs to re-prove his scoring ability. Whether these two major hurdles can be successfully crossed will directly determine his future in the new team.
The arrival of Zhong Yihao is not only a reinforcement for the Taishan team but also a warning for Liu Yang. In the past few seasons, Liu Yang's performance can be described as starting high and ending low, from being a popular figure in the national team to the current ups and downs in his state, facing many doubts.
The addition of Zhong Yihao will make the left-back position full of competition. Such competition is good for the team, as the saying goes: "No pressure, no motivation." For Liu Yang, this may be an opportunity to prove himself again; and for Zhong Yihao, he needs to show his strength to stabilize his main position. Who will win this internal competition in the end may not be clear until the end of the season.
This transaction seems to be a "win-win," but there are still many risks in actual operation. For the Taishan team, although Zhong Yihao is experienced, he needs to quickly adapt to the new tactical system. If he fails to perform as expected, the problem of the left-back position may still not be solved.
For Henan team, the potential of Jia Fei and Liu Guobao is certainly worth looking forward to, but whether the potential can be realized is unknown. Especially Liu Guobao, his recovery from injury directly affects his performance. If the two players fail to meet expectations, Henan team's investment may seem somewhat unprofitable.
Overall, this transaction fully reflects both sides' clear understanding of their own needs. The Taishan team uses Zhong Yihao to make up for the shortcomings of the lineup, while Henan team lays out for the future with young players. No matter what the final result is, this will be an operation worth looking forward to. There are no permanent winners on the football field, only eternal challenges.