Chinese Super League: Sar to join Tianjin, Lavi to Guoan, Labu follows Dalian, 8 teams winter training in Haikou The clubs of the three-tier league that have no worries about entry have already started or are about to start preparing for the 2025 season, and the CSL teams will also announce the joining of new recruits this month. The last few teams on vacation will end their holidays within the next week and start preparing for the new year. After Tianjin Jinmen Tiger sent off three foreign players, [Hadas, Ademi] confirmed to stay, while the central defender [Grant] seems to be still waiting. In the new season, it is expected to spend 250,000 euros to introduce Spanish midfielder [Christian-Salvador], who is 30 years old, worth 800,000 euros, 183 tall and 79 kilograms. He has played 13 times and started 4 times in the Segunda Division of Elche this season, with strong physical confrontation, balanced defensive, speed, shooting, passing and dribbling abilities, and can play as a defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, and wingback, belonging to a versatile player in the midfield and backcourt. The last foreign aid quota will basically be left for the center forward position. Dalian Yingbo has already started its winter training journey. The club's foreign aid combination has taken shape this year, with three forwards, one defensive midfielder, and one central defender. In addition to [Kalanga], who successfully stayed, and [Malele] from Shanghai Shenhua, the Macedonian defensive midfielder [Alimi] is also very close to joining. The foreign aid [Labu Yade] whose contract with Yunnan Yulong expired has…

Translation: The domestic league transfer window is about to open, but many teams have already started operating new signings before that. Due to the departure of Oscar and Bargas, as well as the relegation of Nantong Zhiyun and Meizhou Hakka, the gap between teams in the new season of the Chinese Super League (CSL) will not be too big, so both relegation battles and championship pursuits will become quite fierce. Let's take a look at the recent transfer dynamics together. Dalian's Five Foreign Players in Place As a promoted team, Dalian Yingbo's primary task is to stay in the CSL, and as a city with a very hot football market, they are highly anticipated by fans. The team's recruitment has been carried out very early, and the five foreign player combinations have basically been determined. The mainstream configuration in the CSL is three forwards, one defensive midfielder, and one central defender. Dalian Yingbo's five foreign players are likely to be Kalanga, who is staying with the team, Malaye from Shanghai Shenhua, Labiade from Yunnan Yulong, Alimi, a Macedonian defensive midfielder, and Mamadou from Beijing Guoan. Honestly, this foreign player lineup is already quite good, especially Malaye and Mamadou, who are considered top-tier foreign player configurations for mid-to-upper table teams, ensuring at least the lower limit for Dalian Yingbo. Kalanga is also a foreign player who has been tested in the CSL for many years. In addition to foreign players, Dalian Yingbo has also strengthened their domestic player lineup, including Cao Haiqing, Zhao Jianan, Cui Qi, Wang Chengkai, and Liu Yi.…

The Chinese Super League (CSL) is set to unveil a new chapter in 2025, with an adjusted schedule that begins on February 21 and concludes on November 22. This extended timeframe not only provides ample space for the national team to compete in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers but also heralds unprecedented thrilling matchups in the new season. The competitive landscape of the CSL is subtly shifting with the addition of two newcomers, Yunnan Yu Kun and Dalian Ying Bo, bringing the total number of strong teams to 16. Particularly noteworthy is Yunnan Yu Kun, a team established just three years ago, which dominated the China League One in the 2024 season with an impressive record of 20 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses. Their coach, Joen Andersen, who has previously managed European giants like Borussia Mönchengladbach, may spark a tactical revolution in the CSL with his coaching experience and defensive philosophy. The question of whether "Yu Kun can become the second Chengdu Rongcheng?" has sparked heated discussions among fans. Statistics show that Yu Kun's 70 goals scored and only 20 conceded in the League One demonstrate their strength. Outstanding performances by players such as Mu Xuekui and Han Zilong have showcased the new team's astonishing offensive and defensive capabilities. Dalian Ying Bo, another promoted team, carries the responsibility of revitalizing Dalian football. Under the guidance of experienced local coach Li Guoxu, the team has steadily completed a three-level jump over three years. Although the team relies on veterans, as one seasoned fan put it, "Dalian football never lacks passion…

In the year 2024, several national team players have decided to retire from professional football. On December 31st, two of these players announced the end of their careers on social media. In just six months, a total of eight national team players have announced their retirement. Among them, Wu Lei praised Cao Yunding, while Zhao Mingjian bid farewell to Dalian. Cao Yunding, at 35 years old, confirmed his retirement on social media, expressing regret for not winning the Chinese Super League title during his 14 years with Shanghai Shenhua. He has made five appearances for the national team without scoring or assisting any goals. Both Wu Lei and Cao Yunding are products of the Genbao Base youth training system. After Cao's retirement, Wu Lei posted a message wishing him all the best in the future, stating that Cao is the most talented player he has ever seen in terms of combining natural ability with ball skills. Wu Lei reminisced about playing alongside Cao but expressed regret that they could not continue fighting together. Zhao Mingjian, aged 37, also announced his retirement on the same day, reflecting on his 20-year career from 2004 to 2024. Zhao previously responded to Cao Yunding on social media, saying that it was good to share the same birthday and retirement date. It is clear that Zhao will also be leaving the professional field. Last season, Zhao helped Dalian Yingbo achieve promotion to the top league, and throughout his national team career, he made nine appearances with two assists. Yu Dabao, at 36 years old, has…

The transfer market in the Chinese Super League (CSL) has recently been experiencing significant changes, with a new trend emerging that focuses on careful financial management rather than extravagant spending. Once known for its big-money signings and the pursuit of high-profile foreign players, the league is now seeing a shift as clubs like Chengdu Rongcheng and Dalian Pro demonstrate a more sustainable approach to team building. Chengdu Rongcheng has become a standout example of this new model, having assembled a strong squad without breaking the bank. Instead of investing heavily in superstar signings, they have made strategic acquisitions of key domestic players, enhancing their team's strength while maintaining financial stability. The potential addition of Liao LiSheng has fans speculating about the further strengthening of their midfield, which already boasts a solid lineup of Zhou Dingyang, Mai TiJiang, and Yan Dinghao. If Liao LiSheng were to join, it could significantly boost Chengdu Rongcheng's midfield control, giving them a competitive edge for seasons to come. Similarly, Dalian Pro has adopted a strategy that prioritizes stability and long-term development over immediate success. They have retained experienced veterans like Zhao Mingjian, who serves not only as a defensive anchor but also as a spiritual leader in the locker room. Dalian Pro's focus on building a strong team culture and nurturing young talent reflects a commitment to sustainable growth and a vision beyond short-term achievements. These clubs are proving that rational transfers and meticulous operations are the future of the CSL. They are showing that patience, a focus on long-term planning, and a dedication to…

The Chinese Super League is currently in the off-season, with a seemingly calm surface hiding the bustling activity of teams at their winter training bases and in the transfer market, as an "arms race" has already begun. Dalian Yibo has set its sights on Malele, a former Shanghai Shenhua player, and has recently taken action. The salary they offered has sparked widespread discussion, as it is significantly higher than what Malele received at Shenhua. Meanwhile, reigning champions Shanghai Port have suffered a severe blow to their championship lineup with the departure of key foreign players such as Oscar and Barrios. However, they have secured the services of Jan Mateus from Yokohama F. Marinos. Tianjin Tigers also made significant moves in the transfer market, with a Spanish midfielder set to join the team after New Year's Day. Dalian Yibo's pursuit of Malele has been relentless. It is reported that they offered him a pre-tax salary of 1.1 million euros, while his post-tax salary at Shenhua was only 600,000 euros. This increase reflects Dalian Yibo's eagerness for talent. Malele's excellent physical condition makes him a formidable presence on the field, akin to a small tank charging through the opposition. His impressive record of 16 goals and 3 assists in 26 games last season places him among the top forwards in the league. Despite occasional misses in front of goal, he is seen as a lifeline for Dalian Yibo's relegation battle. Some fans believe that if Malele joins Dalian Yibo, there will be hope for survival in the new season. Shanghai Port, on…

After a 9-year career in Chinese football, Mukeshui has returned to his place of fame, Dalian. However, this time he is not joining Dalian Yingbo, who have just been promoted to the Super League, but instead remains in the second-tier league, signing with newly-promoted Dalian Kuncheng. Despite Mukeshui's age of 37, Dalian Kuncheng seems unconcerned and has offered him a long-term contract, clearly valuing his promotion-winning attributes. At 37 years old, Mukeshui can still be heavily relied upon in China's secondary league, and he should be grateful for two decisions he made: first, giving up basketball at 19 to focus on football, and second, accepting Dalian Yifang's invitation in 2015. Standing nearly 1.9 meters tall and very strong, Mukeshui initially wanted to become a professional basketball player due to his natural physical advantages. He was able to join Zimbabwe's national youth teams and play as a starting point guard in the African Youth Basketball Championship, demonstrating not only his athletic talent but also his ability to endure hardship. In 2007, during the African Men's Basketball Championship, his playing time ranked second in the team, and he was the assist leader. However, fate opened another door for him - due to the lack of indoor basketball courts in Zimbabwe, he had to train with an amateur football club to maintain his form. This unintentional move won him a contract with the club. For Mukeshui, who lived in the slums, it was natural to give up basketball since football could bring in income. Incredibly, in the third year after switching sports, he…