Shanghai Shenhua Football Club is currently at a crucial juncture of succession and rejuvenation, with promising development momentum evident from both its youth training echelons to the first team. Recently, the Shenhua U12 team achieved remarkable results at an international invitational tournament held in Auckland, New Zealand. This young squad maintained a perfect winning record in eight matches, ultimately securing the championship without any doubt. Behind this outstanding team achievement, the individual performance of young forward Anmar stood out particularly, as he scored an astonishing 19 goals in eight games, becoming the key contributor to the team's title with his impressive goal-scoring efficiency.
Such achievements in youth training have brought comfort to everyone at Shenhua Club, as they not only represent victory in a single event but also demonstrate the positive development trend of Shenhua's youth training system. The success of youth training is the foundation for the sustainable development of a football club, and Shenhua's investment and harvest in this area have injected strong impetus into the club's future development.
In terms of the first team, since the acquisition by Jushi Group, Shenhua has shown a strong determination to win championships. The arrival of the new owner has brought new vitality and resources to the team, which was already evident in the 2023 season. That season, Shenhua displayed excellent competitive strength on the FA Cup stage, eventually defeating Shandong Taishan in the final to win an important championship trophy. This hard-won championship not only boosted the morale of the entire team but also gave fans hope of seeing the team return to its peak.
However, the 2024 Chinese Super League season brought a regrettable end to Shenhua. At a critical moment near the end of the season when Shenhua had a chance to challenge for the league title, the team failed to achieve the expected victory in the match against Shenzhen New Pegasus in the penultimate round, only managing to secure one point. This draw caused Shenhua to lose the initiative in the title race, and they were ultimately overtaken by Shanghai Port in the last round, who snatched the league championship, leaving Shenhua to settle for the runner-up position. This result left the entire team feeling particularly disappointed, especially head coach Slutsky, who was even more disheartened.
Based on the unwillingness to accept the outcome of the previous season, Shenhua appeared particularly proactive during the winter transfer window of the 2024-25 season. The club and coaching staff carefully analyzed the team's shortcomings and targeted potential reinforcements in the transfer market. Among them, the most notable was the addition of four new players represented by Li Ke, whose arrivals undoubtedly significantly enhanced the team's overall strength.
Coach Slutsky has high hopes for these newcomers and aims to help them integrate into the team's tactical system through friendly matches. The coaching staff's goal is clear: to build a more competitive team in the new season and strive for better performances in the 2025 Chinese Super League.
The current development trend of Shenhua can be described as a process of generational transition and succession. On one hand, the outstanding performance of the youth training echelons proves that the club's efforts in cultivating young players are bearing fruit; on the other hand, the first team, through active recruitment and tactical adjustments, has shown firm confidence in the future.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Shenhua's goal is clear: to break through their own limits in the Chinese Super League and strive to win the long-awaited league championship. Achieving this goal requires joint efforts from both new and old players, meticulous coaching from the coaching staff, and unity within the club. Judging from the current situation, Shenhua indeed possesses the conditions to challenge for the championship: there are strong new recruits to bolster the team, experienced veterans to anchor the squad, and a promising youth training system to support them.
Believing that as long as the team can maintain its current momentum, carry forward the successful experience of youth training, and continue to make effective adjustments and enhancements in the competitive aspects of the first team, it is only a matter of time before Shenhua achieves remarkable results and breakthroughs in the new season. Shenhua is writing a new chapter for itself, from the achievements of youth training to the championship aspirations of the first team, and this team with a long history is steadily moving forward towards higher goals.