A promising forward for the national football team has reappeared after disappearing for two months, only to be expelled from the Chinese Super League. Once hailed as a prodigy, he has now faded into obscurity.
Upon being promoted to the first team, he was highly regarded by many fans as a rare tall striker for the national team in recent years. The national team invested in his development, willingly sending him to train with a Portuguese club to enhance his skills. However, he failed to live up to expectations. Overseas, without strict supervision, he became lax in training and gained significant weight, resulting in his return to the Chinese Super League within half a year. Upon his return, he lost the brilliance of his past, and within six months, he was caught by the Football Association participating in match-fixing, leading to a lifetime ban from football in China.
In previous years, some fans criticized Zhang Yuning and praised Guo Tianyu, claiming that Zhang Yuning's tactical value far surpassed that of Wei Shihao, who was at the peak of his career with Guangzhou Evergrande. Some fans argued that Guo Tianyu's physical attributes were superior to Zhang Yuning's. However, Guo Tianyu's biggest issue was his lack of self-discipline. He had previously been suspended by Shandong for playing with his phone on the bench. Unable to secure a place in the domestic league, he had no choice but to seek opportunities abroad.
Currently, Guo Tianyu plays for Chiangrai United in the Thai League. He had missed five consecutive matches before returning in the latest round of the league. This season, he has played in nine matches without scoring a goal. In one game, he nearly received a red card. Guo Tianyu's competitive level has declined, and his team is weak. The team often faces overwhelming opposition, yet they persist in playing short passes, frequently losing possession and conceding counterattacks. Their physical fitness is also lacking, with players visibly tiring after 60 minutes. Guo Tianyu's presence on the field has not made a difference.
There have been rumors that Thailand is interested in naturalizing Guo Tianyu due to their need for a tall striker. However, Thai media has clarified that the Thai national team has no such intentions. The Thai national team's main striker, Supachai, is 26 years old and stands at 1.85 meters, while the substitute striker, Thirathorn, is 22 years old and 1.82 meters tall. Currently, Guo Tianyu's level is not even close to these two players. If Thailand were to consider naturalizing a tall striker, they would likely choose Fornarzari, who stands at 2.03 meters and plays for Sukhothai.
The national team is currently experiencing a severe talent shortage. The 1991 generation includes only Wu Lei and Zhang Xizhe, while the 1993 generation has Liu Binbin. The 1995 generation has Wei Shihao, and the 1999 generation's Guo Tianyu has faltered. The 1997 generation, however, is different, boasting a wealth of attacking talent with diverse characteristics. There is the target man Zhang Yuning, modern winger Lin Liangming, crossing expert Yang Liuyi, dribbling wizard Huang Zichang, agile finisher Chen Pu, and midfield maestro Cao Yongjing. If they can be effectively integrated, this attacking line could be quite formidable. Unfortunately, the 1997 generation is somewhat top-heavy, with only Huang Zhengyu and Wei Zhen capable in the midfield and defense. Additionally, several players have gone abroad, making it difficult for them to regularly participate in national team matches, which may explain the mediocre performance of the national youth and Olympic teams.
What are your thoughts on Guo Tianyu's future?