The reigning champions, Shanghai Port, are currently undergoing their winter training in West Asia for the new season. The team is set to undergo significant changes in the midfield and attack, with key players such as Oscar, Bargas, and Citadini leaving, and Wu Lei undergoing surgery due to recurring knee injuries. As a result, Shanghai Port will have to restructure their attacking lineup for the upcoming season.
The departure of these three core foreign players has significantly weakened Shanghai Port's offensive capabilities. However, the team has already signed two strong reinforcements in the transfer market: Brazilian midfielder Vital and last season's silver boot winner, Leonardo. The final foreign player is also close to being confirmed, rumored to be a technical winger from the Brazilian league.
Without a doubt, Shanghai Port will continue to utilize all five foreign players in midfield and attack positions to create a new offensive system. On the evening of January 16th, Shanghai Port Club announced that their key player, Wu Lei, had undergone meniscus surgery, with an expected recovery period of around 8 to 10 weeks.
Shanghai media reporters analyzed that Wu Lei's return to high-intensity competition could take at least three months, and if his recovery is average, it could take six months or even up to a year. The ten-week recovery period only allows for normal walking and moderate jogging post-surgery, but reaching competitive sports status and high-intensity confrontation capabilities often requires more time.
With Wu Lei's return date uncertain, who will fill the sole domestic player position in Shanghai Port's midfield and attack for the new season? Feng Jin and Xu Xin, two players in different positions, may become Muscat's choices.
If Muscat places Leonardo in Wu Lei's position, the four players at the forefront of the team should be Gustavo, Leonardo, the fifth foreign player, and Vital, with Xu Xin and Rusa forming a double pivot partnership. This formation should be similar to last season's 4-3-3 formation and is likely to be Coach Muscat's first choice.
Another possibility is placing winger Feng Jin in Wu Lei's position, with Leonardo and Gustavo potentially forming a double forward line, and Vital and Rusa forming a double pivot. The team would then change to a 4-4-2 formation. This new 4-4-2 formation may pose a challenge to both Shanghai Port and Muscat, as the team did not use this formation last season.
Regardless of the formation used, Shanghai Port's attacking power will undoubtedly decrease significantly after losing superstars like Oscar and Bargas, making it difficult to replicate last season's formidable attacking lineup.
In the new season, Shanghai Port's strength will no longer be unparalleled, but they will still be among the title contenders. Who will become the only domestic starting player in midfield and attack is one of the highlights of the new season for the Port team. Will it be Feng Jin or Xu Xin, or perhaps young player Aifelding?
