In the 2024 season of the Chinese Super League (CSL), Shandong Luneng failed to achieve their desired results, finishing fifth in the league standings. This outcome meant they lost the chance to directly qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite Division. Additionally, they were defeated by Shanghai Port FC in the FA Cup final, leaving them with no significant achievements for the entire season. This was undoubtedly a heavy blow for Shandong Luneng and left their fans feeling disappointed.
What further complicates matters for Shandong Luneng's management is that their contract with current head coach Choi Kang-hee does not include performance-based conditions. This means that even if the team performs poorly, they cannot directly dismiss Choi Kang-hee without paying a high termination fee of up to 40 million yuan. This situation adds uncertainty to Shandong Luneng's future.
However, amidst these challenges, Shandong Luneng has also seen new hope. According to Shandong media reports, former player Su Maozhen has passed the interview with Shandong Luneng's vice president, and both parties are discussing details. There is a possibility that Su Maozhen will return to Shandong Luneng soon. This news brings comfort to the fans. As a legendary figure of Shandong Luneng, Su Maozhen's return is expected to inject new vitality and confidence into the team. It also suggests that the future transfer power of Shandong Luneng might fall into Su Maozhen's hands, bringing new opportunities for the team's development.
Before Su Maozhen takes office, there is also new momentum in Shandong Luneng's transfer activities. According to Turkish media STAR, the CSL team Shandong Luneng is interested in signing the 32-year-old Cameroonian forward Vincent Aboubakar. As an experienced center-forward, Aboubakar has played for several European clubs and has won multiple championships. Although his value has decreased due to injuries and other reasons, his abilities are still outstanding in the CSL. His joining could bring new offensive firepower to Shandong Luneng and become the best assistant to Crespo.
Aboubakar's current contract with Hatayspor will expire in June 2025, which means Shandong Luneng needs to acquire him through a transfer. However, since his contract is nearing its end, the transfer fee Shandong Luneng would need to pay should not be too high. This undoubtedly provides more flexibility for the team in terms of transfers.
For Shandong Luneng, although their performance this season was unsatisfactory, their future still holds promise. The return of Su Maozhen and the addition of Aboubakar will inject new energy and strength into the team. At the same time, the team needs to learn from their failures this season, summarize experiences, and prepare fully for future matches.
It is believed that under Su Maozhen's leadership, Shandong Luneng will be able to overcome difficulties and welcome new glory. Fans are also looking forward to the team showcasing stronger capabilities and better performances in future games, bringing them more victories and joy.