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Jonathan White

The Chinese Super League kicks off its 2019 season on Friday with Shandong Luneng taking on Beijing Renhe before a Shanghai derby featuring champions SIPG at Shenhua.
All four of China’s AFC Champions League teams are in action on Friday – Beijing Guoan travel to new boys Wuhan Zall and runners-up last season Guangzhou Evergrande host the newly renamed Tianjin Tianhai.
The opening evening sees the start of 240 matches for the campaign as the 16 teams lock horns.
Here is a club-by-club guide to the new season, the new signings and the new faces in the dugouts.




Shanghai SIPG
Manager: Vitor Pereira (since December 2017)
Transfers in: None
Transfers out: Wu Lei (Espanyol), Jiang Zilei (Wuhan Zall)
Possibility of naturalised players in the Chinese Super League puts a different complexion on football’s future
Key signing: N/A
Last season: 1st
Prediction: 2nd
Title odds: $3.39

OFFICIAL: Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao have signed English-Chinese defender Tyias Browning from Everton. pic.twitter.com/uqdjRLTsUP
— TransferMarkt China (@asaikana) 20 February 2019

Guangzhou Evergrande
Manager: Fabio Cannavaro (since November 2017)
New signings: Paulinho (Barcelona), Anderson Talisca (Benfica), Ty Browning (Everton), Wei Shihao (Beijing Guoan), Liu Yiming (Tianjin Tianhai), He Chao (Changchun Yatai), Gao Zhunyi (Hebei CFFC), Zhang Xiuwei (Tianjin Tianhai), Park Ji-su (Gyeongnam FC), Roberto Siucho (Universitario), Wu Shaocong (Shimizu S-Pulse), Liu Hao (Guizhou Hengfeng)
Key signing: Wei Shihao. After stints at SIPG and Guoan, the mercurial talent could come good in an Evergrande side that has brought in a number of national team members.
Chinese football club Guangzhou Evergrande to demote players based on ratings in bizarre turn
Players out: Nemanja Guledj (Sporting Lisbon), Alan (Tianjin Tianhai), Ricardo Goulart (Palmeiras), Liao Lisheng (Tianjin Tianhai), Zhang Chenlin (Tianjin Tianhai), Kim Young-gwon (Gamba Osaka), Rong Hao (Tianjin Teda), Zou Zheng (Guangzhou R&F), Wang Shangyuan (Henan Jianye), Roberto Siucho (Shanghai Shenxin)
Last season: 2nd
Prediction: 1st
Title odds: $1.91

Ready to start a new adventure ..... pic.twitter.com/WGIl3Oz1G7
— Marouane Fellaini (@Fellaini) 2 February 2019

Shandong Luneng
Manager: Li Xiaopeng (since December 2017)
New signings: Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Luo Andong (Inner Mongolia Zhongyou), Wu Lei (Tianjin Tianhai), Cong Huang (Gondomar)
Key signing: Marouane Fellaini.The big Belgian has more talent than he has been given credit for and China could offer the same redemption as Paulinho found after leaving Tottenham.
Farewell, Marouane Fellaini – Fresh start in China for man who summed up Manchester United’s post-Ferguson identity crisis
Players out: Diego Tardelli (Gremio), Wang Jong (Sichuan Jiuniu), Yao Junsheng (Tianjin Tianhai), Cui Wei (Meizhou Hakka)
Last season: 3rd
Prediction: 4th
Title odds: $5.10

OFFICIAL: West Bromwich Albion player Zhang Yuning has joined CSL team Beijing Sinobo Guoan. pic.twitter.com/ug5Q56DiUA
— TransferMarkt China (@asaikana) 24 February 2019

Beijing Guoan
Manager: Roger Schmidt (since July 2017)
Players in: Nico Yennaris (Brentford), Kim Min-jae (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), John Hou Saeter (Rosenborg), Zou Dehai (Zhejiang Greentown), Wang Gang (Beijing Renhe), Zhang Yuning (West Bromwich Albion), Wang Gang (Beijing Renhe)
Key signing: Zhang Yuning. The striker has failed to play regularly over the last two seasons in Europe but a return home should be the move he needs to kick on as a player.
Zhang Yuning to join Beijing Guoan as they face Shanghai SIPG in Super Cup on eve of 2019 Chinese Super League season
Players out: Wei Shihao (Guangzhou Evergrande), Zhang Yan (Jiangsu Suning), Jonathan Soriano (Al-Hilal), Jin Pengxiang (Guangzhou R&F), Du Mingyang (Meizhou Hakka), Wang Weibo (Guangdong Southern Tigers), Chi Wenyi (Hebei CFFC)
Last season: 4th
Prediction: 3rd
Title odds: $4.58

OFFICIAL: Shanghai Shenxin midfielder Ye Chongqiu has left club to join Jiangsu Suning. pic.twitter.com/Yf9wrqmY0w
— TransferMarkt China (@asaikana) 22 February 2019

Jiangsu Suning
Manager: Cosmin Olaroiu (since March 2018)
New signings: Ye Chongqiu (Shanghai Shenxin), Feng Boyuan (Liaoning Whowin), Luo Jing (Zhejiang Greentown)
Key signing: Cosmin Olaroiu. The manager came in to replace Fabio Capello midway through last season and the biggest signing of the transfer window was getting him on a three-year contract despite reported interest from other Asian clubs.
After yet another whacky move it’s time to ask: why can’t the Chinese Football Association stop shooting itself in the foot?
Players out: Zhang Xiaobin (Tianjin Tianhai), Liu Jianye (Guangdong Southern Tigers), Chen Ji (Guizhou Hengfeng)
Last season: 5th
Prediction: 8th
Title odds: $25.50

OFFICIAL: Hebei China Fortune have signed Brazilian striker Marcão (24) from Gyeongnam FC. pic.twitter.com/bSV0xU9vvZ
— TransferMarkt China (@asaikana) 21 February 2019

Hebei CFFC
Manager: Chris Coleman (since June 2018)
New signings: Marcao (Gyeongnam), Zhang Junzhe (Beijing BSU), Andy Russell (Liaoning FC), Chi Wenyi (Beijing Guoan)
Key signing: Marcao. With Gervinho gone and Ezequiel Lavezzi out injured, goals are a priority for Coleman’s side. The K League top scorer will be expected to deliver them.
Wu Lei’s Espanyol debut attracts 40 million viewers in China – despite striker playing just 12 minutes
Players out: Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Gao Zhunyi (Guangzhou Evergrande), Gui Hong (Guangzhou R&F), Zhao Mingjian (Dalian Yifang), Liao Junjian (Wuhan Zall)
Last season: 6th
Prediction: 6th
Title odds: $25.50

Odion Ighalo surpasses previous best of 20 league goals for Watford in 2014-15, having scored his 21st goal in the Chinese Super League yesterday. pic.twitter.com/gyVHaSiWyK
— Football Naija (@Football_Naija) 28 October 2018

Shanghai Shenhua
Manager: Quique Sanchez Flores (since January 2019)
New signings: Odion Ighalo (Changhun Yatai), Wu Yizhen (Shanghai Shenxin), Alexander N’Doumbou (FC Vereya)
Key signing: Odion Ighalo reunites with his former Watford manager and has a proven track record of scoring in the CSL having hit 23 goals last season.
Beijing Guoan players’ lack of fight ends Chinese Super League dream for another year but fans show plenty off the pitch
Players out: Demba Ba (Basaksehir), Qin Sheng (Dalian Yifang), Li Xiaoming (Changchun Yatai), Wang Shouting (Guizhou Hengfeng)
Last season: 7th
Prediction: 5th
Title odds: $25.50

Reading's Nigerian forward Sone Aluko (30) has completed the move to CSL side Beijing Renhe. pic.twitter.com/7uCV57I7U6
— TransferMarkt China (@asaikana) 24 February 2019

Beijing Renhe
Manager: Aleksander Stanojevic (since December 2018)
New signings: Sone Aluko (Reading), Liu Peng (Qingdao Hainiu), Du Wenyang (Hebei CFFC)
Key signing: Sone Aluko. The former Nigeria striker has been loaned from Reading where he has hardly been prolific but he will offer a focal point.
Chinese Super League: after seven years of Evergrande dominance, new champions are crowned as Shanghai SIPG sputter over the line
Players out: Yu Bin (Qingdao Hainiu), Xu Jiamin (Heilongjiang Lava Spring), Chen Liming (Heilongjiang Lava Spring), Han Peng (released), Liu Yang (released), Wang Chu (Cova Piedade), Wang Qiang (retired)
Last season: 8th
Prediction: 11th
Title odds: $154.50

Tianjin Tianhai
Manager: Shen Xiangfu (since February 2019)
New signings: Fang Jingqi (Guangdong Southern Tigers), Renatinho (Guangzhou R&F), Alan (Guangzhou Evergrande), Zhang Chenlin (Guangzhou Evergrande), Wen Jiabao (Guangzhou Evergrande), Yao Junsheng (Shandong Luneng), Liao Lisheng (Guangzhou Evergrande) Zhang Xiaobin (Jiangsu Suning)
Key signing: Alan. The Brazilian links up with countrymen Pato and Renatinho to form a fearsome front line and he has s proven track record with Evergrande.
Alexandre Pato leaving, stadium signs dragged down, club name changed – owner’s arrest sees Tianjin Quanjian airbrush history
Players out: Yang Shanping (Dalian Yifang), Zhao Xuri (Dalian Yifang), Zhang Xiuwei (Guangzhou Evergrande), Liu Yiming (Guangzhou Evergrande), Liu Yue (Inner Mongolia Zhongyou)
Last season: 9th
Prediction: 10th
Title odds: $42.00

I wish only the best for Tottenham Hotspur in the future and am excited for the next exciting chapter in my life! #COYS pic.twitter.com/aN8CPKVeaA
— Mousa Dembélé (@mousadembele) 17 January 2019

Guangzhou R&F
Manager: Dragan Stojkovic (since August 2015)
New signings: Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur), Dia Saba (Hapoel Beer Sheva), Gui Hong (Hebei CFFC), Jin Bo (Yanbian Funde), Fan Yunlong (Guizhou Hengfeng), Jin Penxiang (Beijing Guoan), Zou Zheng (Guangzhou Evergrande)
Key signing: Mousa Dembele. Another Belgian joining the league this season and another with a point to prove. If he can stay fit then he should be one of the CSL’s star performers.
Mousa Dembele joins Guangzhou R&F in Chinese Super League; says Tottenham ‘feels like my family’
Players out: Junior Urso (Corinthians), Renatinho (Tianjin Tianhai), Zhang Jiajie (Sichuan Longfor)
Last season: 10th
Prediction: 8th
Title odds: $33.50

↩️ | Defender @tybrowning has joined Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande for an undisclosed fee. Good luck, Tyias! #EFC pic.twitter.com/CIKRuQbnrL
— Everton (@Everton) 20 February 2019

Dalian Yifang
Manager: Choi Kang-huei (since February 2019)
New signings: Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Emmanuel Boateng (Levante), Zhao Xuri (Tianjin Tianhai), Yang Shanping (Tianjin Tianhai), Zhao Mingjian (Hebei CFFC), Li Jianbin (Shanghai Shenhua), Alex Akande (Yanbian Funde)
Key signing: Marek Hamsik. Quite the coup to attract the Slovakia skipper from Napoli, where he left as a legend.
Marek Hamsik completes Chinese Super League move from Napoli to Dalian Yifang, says lawyer
Players out: Jin Qiang (Shenzhen FC), Wang Wanpeng (Yinchuan Helanshan), Duvier Riascos (released), Dong Honglin (Chongqing Lifan), Nico Gaitan (Chicago Fire), Wang Liang (Dalian Chanjoy)
Last season: 11th
Prediction: 7th
Title odds: $20

HE IS BACK! | Bořek Dočkal is Sparta player again! He signed a contract for 3 and half a year! #acsparta
️ https://t.co/q0p53Xe8oB pic.twitter.com/w1I83Qq5E5
— AC Sparta Prague (@ACSparta_EN) 22 February 2019

Henan Jianye
Manager: Wang Baoshan (since September 2018)
New signings: Zhang Wentao (Shanghai Shenxin), Franck Ohandza (Shenzhen), Henrique Dourado (Flamengo), Wang Shangyuan (Guangzhou Evergrande), Huang Chuang (Gondomar)
Key signing: Henrique Dourado. The striker arrives from Brazil having played for some of the country’s best clubs in the last few seasons.
Chinese Super League clubs outspending MLS, AFL, J. League and SPL but money not buying success ahead of salary cap
Players out: Borek Dockal (Sparta Prague), Gu Wenxiang (Kunshan FC), Ricardo Vaz Te (released), Wang Shanyuan (Guangzhou Evergrande)
Last season: 12th
Prediction: 16th
Title odds: $154.50

OFFICIAL: Chongqing Dangdai Lifan have signed two Chinese goalkeepers from European club, Yerjet Yerzat (Gondomar) and Wang Zixiang (Granada CF). pic.twitter.com/UZ80nlrdOn
— TransferMarkt China (@asaikana) 22 February 2019

Chongqing Dangdai Lifan
Manager: Jordi Cruyff (since August 2018)
New signings: Yerjat Yezat (Gondomar), Wang Zixiang (Granada B), Hong Dongjin (Dalian Yifang), Adrian Mierzejewski (Changchun Yatai), Jiang Zhe (Changchun Yatai), Bahtiyar Pezila (Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard), Yang Shuai (Liaoning FC), Dilmurat Mawlanyaz (Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard)
Key signing: Adrian Mierzejewski brings CSL experience to a squad lacking it, as Cruyff pointed out when setting out the club’s ambitions for the season – staying in the top flight.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is trying to bring back ‘the real Manchester United’ says Jordi Cruyff
Players out: Liu Yu (Chengdu Better City), Seba (Olympiacos), Adrian Ramos (Granada), Chen Anqi (Kunshan FC), Sui Donglu (released)
Last season: 13th
Prediction: 12th
Title odds: $154.50

Sandro #Wagner is leaving #FCBayern to join Tianjin Teda in the Chinese Super League with immediate effect.
Thanks for everything, Sandro, and best of luck in China #MiaSanMia #DankeSandro pic.twitter.com/mB1iMjvNGp
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) 30 January 2019

Tianjin Teda
Manager: Uli Stielike (since September 2017)
New signings: Sandro Wagner (Bayern Munich), Zhang Chiming (Beijing Guoan), Rong Hao (Guangzhou Evergrande), Zhang Yan (Pinhalnovense), Zheng Kaimu (Guizhou Hengfeng), Wang Zelong (Shenzhen Renren)
Key signing: Sandro Wagner. The German swapped Bayern Munich for Tianjin and his aerial threat will be hard for any team to deal with.
Marcello Lippi is right – Chinese football’s problems are striking, but maybe there’s hope for the future
Players out: John Mikel Obi (Middlesbrough), Guo Yi (Meizhou Hakka), Wang Dong (Qingdao Huanhai), Zhou Liao (Yinchuan Helanshan)
Last season: 14th
Prediction: 15th
Title odds: $154.50

Primer entrenamiento con el #WuhanZall para @StephaneMbia y Léo Baptistão pic.twitter.com/UWXj6njGcw
— Super Liga China (@CSLfutbol) 7 February 2019

Wuhan Zall
Manager: Li Tie (since November 2017)
New signings: Leo Baptistao (Espanyol), Stephane Mbia (Toulouse), Han Pengfei (Guizhou Hengfeng), Dong Chunyu (Beijing BSU), Liu Yi (Beijing BSU), Wang Kai (Zhenjiang Yiteng), Liao Junjiao (Hebei CFFC), Jiang Zilei (Shanghai SIPG), Guo Tianyu (Shandong Luneng)
Chinese football year in review 2018: more madness, but plenty of positives in another crazy campaign
Players out: , Pedro Junior (Kashima Antlers), Ni Bo (Shenzhen Bogang), Liao Junjian (Hebei CFFC)
Key signing: Stephane Mbia. The former Cameroon midfielder has CSL experience from his time with Hebei CFFC as well as some of Europe’s biggest leagues. Could be vital to the new boys.
Last season:1st in China League One
Prediction: 13th
Title odds: $154.50

Mercato : Le dossier Selnaes - Mbengue clos en début de semaine #ASSE https://t.co/4h6XSYcvOu pic.twitter.com/z0IHSpEuse
— ASSE - Saint Etienne (@asseinfo) 23 February 2019

Shenzhen FC
Manager: Juan Roman Lopez Caro (since April 2018)
New signings: Wei Liping (Meizhou Hakka), Guo Wei (Shanghai Shenxin), Ole Selneas (Saint Etienne), Cheikh M’Buenge (Saint Etienne), Yang Guicheng (Shijiazhung Everbright), Li Qiang (Yanbian Funde), Wang Peng (Shijiazhuang Everbright), Jin Qiang (Dalian Yifang), Shi Yiyi (Shanghai Shenxin), Zhou Xin (Stabaek), Ola Kamara (LA Galaxy)
Key signing: Ola Kamara. The Norwegian arrives from LA Galaxy and Shenzhen will hope he can hit the ground running as he did in the MLS. Kamara scored 16 goals for the Columbus Crew to be nominated for the Newcomer of the Year award in 2016.
‘Unnamed Chinese club’ leading the way again in another transfer window full of hot air
Players out: Rossi (Vasco de Gama), Franck Ohandza (Henan Jianye), Xu Liang (retired)
Last season: 2nd in China League One
Prediction: 14th
Title odds: $154.50


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Shanghai SIPG players celebrate winning the Chinese Super League title. Can they pull off another shock win? Photo: AFP

Guangzhou Evergrande's Alan Douglas (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during their AFC Champions League quarter-final football match against Shanghai SIPG in Guangzhou in China's southern Guangdong province on September 12, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / STR / China OUT

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All you need to know about China’s top league as the new season gets underway


Chinese Super League 2019: club-by-club guide to transfers, new signings, odds and predictions

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}All you need to know about China’s top league as the new season gets underway

All you need to know about China’s top league as the new season gets underway