Last year, Zhejiang team ranked seventh in the Chinese Super League but was one of the most imbalanced teams in terms of attack and defense. They scored 55 goals in 30 rounds, ranking fifth just behind the top four, but their defense was very poor, conceding 60 goals in 30 matches, only better than Nantong Zhiyun (66 conceded goals). The team had a severe bias, with a strong attack and weak defense, which was also the key reason for not qualifying from the group stage in the AFC Champions League secondary competition.
This winter, Zhejiang team has not yet officially announced the joining of new signings or the departure of old players. However, according to various rumors, Zhejiang is expected to focus on rebuilding the defensive line combination and improving the efficiency of the front line under increased investment in the new season. Previously, the goalkeeper Fan Jinming and the young forward Ning Fangze, who was selected for the national youth team, left the team and joined Dalian Kunpeng of China League One; five main players in the midfield and backcourt, including Wang Dongsheng, Wang Yang, Gu Bin, Jin Haoxiang, and Zheng Xuejian, may leave the team. Additionally, the foreign golden boot winner Leonardo, who was on loan for one and a half seasons, is currently being contacted by both Zhejiang and Shanghai Port, but the probability of him joining Zhejiang is relatively low.
With departures come arrivals. After bidding farewell to the veterans, Zhejiang is also introducing young talents for renewal and strengthening the lineup. During the winter training period, fans saw new signings training with the team, focusing on youth. The 21-year-old forward Rehemituola, who played for Wuxi Wu Gou last year, has already joined the team for training, and the 21-year-old defender Wang Shiqin from Chongqing Tongliang Long has also appeared in Zhejiang's squad. The goalkeeper He Shenping from Guangzhou, who has no chance of playing in professional leagues, is expected to join for free and become the second-choice goalkeeper after Zhao Bo.
Furthermore, there are reports that Sun Guowen, whose loan contract has expired, will sign directly with Zhejiang, and the defender Tong Lei from Shandong Taishan will also join. The forward Tao Qianglong from Wuhan Three Towns is currently on trial with the team.
Starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Zhao Bo; Sun Guowen, Lucas (pending), Tong Lei, Yue Xin; Li Tixiang, Qian Jiege; Au Ous, Frank, Evra; foreign center forward.
Rotation lineup (4-3-3): He Shenping; Sun Zhengao, Dong Yu, Liang Nuoheng, Wang Shiqin; Yao Junsheng, Zhao Jiaqi, Cheng Jin; Tao Qianglong, Gao Di, Wang Yudong.
Alternatives: Wu Wei, Ji Shengpan, Bao Shengxin, Liu Haofan, Dong Chunyu, etc.
Currently, many mid-to-lower table teams in the Chinese Super League are actively looking for center forwards, but there are few rumors, such as Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Zhejiang, Henan, Qingdao West Coast, Wuhan Three Towns, Qingdao Seiniu, and Shenzhen Xinpengcheng. After all, the quality of the center forward will determine the number of goals scored in the season, so it must be taken seriously. Teams that already have center forwards are basically continuing to use last season's players, such as Shanghai Port (Gustavo), Chengdu Rongcheng (Felipe), Beijing Guoan (Fabio), Shandong Taishan (Zeka), Changchun Yatai (Beric), and Meizhou Hakka (John Mary). On that day, some teams also chose new center forwards, namely Shanghai Shenhua (Minero), Dalian Yingbo (Malele), and Yunnan Yulong (Oscar).
Among Zhejiang's current four foreign players, central defender Lucas may be replaced due to an unresolved old injury. The new coach of Zhejiang, Cardona, is currently leading the team in winter training, but the team has not yet officially announced new signings or the new coach, so whether Lucas can stay with the team needs to be decided by the new coach Cardona. As for the last foreign player, after the hope of Leonardo staying with the team diminished, there is an urgent need to find a powerful center forward to assist. The previously rumored German second-tier league golden boot winner is no longer an option, and the new foreign player candidate remains undecided.
The green whirlwind shines in the Chinese Super League, Zhejiang Greentown starts a new journey, needing to change the formation due to strong attack and weak defense, with defensive adjustments becoming the focus. The attacking football is stable across the three lines, and the new coach leads the team to aim for the AFC Champions League.