The new season of Chengdu Rongcheng, can the head coach Xu Zhengyuan lead the team to fight on three fronts and embark on their "dark horse path"? Will the fans' expectation of "going further" come true? These questions can be seen from the team's pre-season preparations, but more importantly, they need to be answered by the team's performance in the new season.
In the past few seasons, Chengdu Rongcheng has steadily established itself, gradually moving from the China League One to the Chinese Super League. Last season, they even achieved a third-place finish, securing qualification for the AFC Champions League qualifying round. Behind all this is the meticulous training of coach Xu Zhengyuan and the full support of the club. Since taking over the team in 2020, Xu has led this young club to climb to new heights year after year, from promotion to the Chinese Super League, relegation survival, to now breaking into the AFC Champions League, this Korean coach has won a renewal with his strength, earning an annual salary of 13 million yuan. However, the three-front battle in the new season is undoubtedly a huge test for him. The club and fans hope to make breakthroughs in the AFC Champions League while steadily advancing in domestic competitions.
Facing the pressure of the AFC Champions League, domestic league, and cup matches, Chengdu Rongcheng did not choose to stand still. To enhance the overall strength of the team, the club made unprecedented efforts in recruiting during the off-season. According to Serbian media reports, Rongcheng is about to sign Aldo Kalulu, the forward of Partizan Belgrade. This 28-year-old former Lyon player will join with a transfer fee of 750,000 euros and an annual salary of 400,000 euros. Although Kalulu's goal-scoring efficiency in the Serbian Super League is not outstanding, he is considered an important part that can help Rongcheng in the Chinese Super League and AFC Champions League with his strong physique and rich European experience. With this, Rongcheng's five foreign aid lineup is officially in place. In addition to Kalulu, there are top-level foreign aid Felipe, naturalized potential player Romulo, and two defensive reinforcements Letcher and Gurfintel, making Rongcheng's foreign aid configuration luxurious.
At the same time, the team also spared no effort in recruiting domestic players. During the off-season, Rongcheng successfully signed several national-level players such as Liu Dianzuo, Han Pengfei, Liao Lisheng, and Yuan Mincheng, plus the main players such as Maijiang, Yan Dinghao, Zhou Dingyang, and Feng Zhiyi have basically returned to the team, significantly enhancing the depth of the team's lineup. More excitingly, Rongcheng boldly promoted several national-level young players to the first team. Among them, 16-year-old Abibula is highly regarded, and this national youth team player is considered the future midfield core.
Xu Zhengyuan said in an interview that as a young club, Chengdu Rongcheng grows and progresses every year. Although the three-front battle in the new season is full of challenges, the whole team is confident. For the club, successfully advancing in the AFC Champions League qualifying round is the top priority, and stable performance in the league is also crucial. With clear goals and completed lineup upgrades, fans are looking forward to the new season with great anticipation.
However, the fans' eager expectations are accompanied by some controversy. Some believe that Kalulu's offensive efficiency is not high and may not be able to provide enough support for Rongcheng's frontcourt; others question whether the pressure of the three-front battle will drag down the team's physical fitness and form. In contrast, more people are hopeful about the promotion of young players, believing that these fresh blood may bring surprises at critical moments. Netizens also focus on whether Rongcheng will give up the cup match, with some suggesting focusing on seeking breakthroughs in the AFC Champions League and the league, while others hope the team can try to achieve something in the cup match.
The three-front battle in the new season will inevitably pose extremely high requirements on the completeness of Chengdu Rongcheng's lineup and the tactical deployment of the coaching staff. Xu Zhengyuan is undoubtedly the key figure in this "big exam." This modest and low-key coach stated that he values the long-term development of the team more than the gains and losses of a single event. Under his leadership, Chengdu Rongcheng is expected to continue to steadily advance and bring more wonderful performances to the fans. Perhaps, the Rongcheng of the 2025 season will bring us more surprises and touching moments. After all, they are young and on a vibrant path of development, with each step worth looking forward to.