Chinese Super League 2021 season preview: new names, same old CSL

The 2021 Chinese Super League season starts on Tuesday with the Guangzhou derby between Guangzhou FC and Guangzhou City – and 30,000 fans in the stands. Formerly Guangzhou Evergrande and Guangzhou R&F respectively, the new names reflect the change in policy banning sponsors from club names. Another change is represented by the absence of the champions Jiangsu FC, formerly Jiangsu Suning, who have folded since beating Guangzhou Evergrande in last season’s CSL final – a decider put in place with the coronavirus format. Suning’s decision is reflective of financial constraints across the league with a new salary cap in part the reason behind an exodus of foreign stars and a lack of big-name signings to replace them. The 2021 CSL will kickoff tomorrow. It's the official promo trailer for the new season. Unfortunately Jiangsu FC(Suning), the reigning champion, is not in the trailer. pic.twitter.com/GDmfVCVTUm — Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 19, 2021 Hulk left Shanghai but he was far from the only star player to bid farewell to China and there have been changes in the dugout too, headlined by Rafa Benitez leaving Dalian Pro. Seven of the 16 teams have employed new managers ahead of the season and the squads have been shaken up too. ‘No big names’ in 2021 Chinese Super League warns Dusko Tosic There has been plenty of movement, as one might expect when the champions fold and all their players become available, but it is fair to say that outside interest may have diminished with the absence of the bona fide stars. It has certainly diminished in some corners of China. Fans of Tianjin Teda – now Tianjin Jinmen Tigers – have been among those to abandon their clubs in the close season, while other clubs have relocated as well as renaming. Overseas, several countries are without streams after rights deals became too expensive, while coronavirus travel restrictions means some of the CSL’s best foreigners have so far been unable to return to the country, notably the Brazilian contingents at Guangzhou FC and Shandong Taishan. Sun Jihai says foreign coaches ‘only in China for the money’, damaging Chinese football What is for sure is that Chinese football will be worth keeping an eye on for what happens next. Part of that will be seeing what format the season takes – only the first round has been confirmed by authorities with 14 games to take place across two bubbles in Suzhou and Guangzhou. Here is everything you need to know about this season’s teams. Cannavaro‘s boys are ready for the new season! #GuangzhouFC ⁦@fabiocannavaro⁩ pic.twitter.com/cNFKkNz8Ha — 绰号 Filippo Giudice (@semprepippolino) April 17, 2021 Guangzhou FC (Guangzhou Evergrande) It is their title to lose, despite Cannavaro’s complaints that Paulinho and Anderson Talisca remain out of the country. The team have the best domestics players, including the best naturalised Chinese footballers. Guangzhou FC’s Zheng Zhi back as Fabio Cannavaro’s No 2 after 48 days as GM Their biggest challenge is themselves, as we saw last season when midfielder Zheng Zhi was appointed as GM and Cannavaro’s boss for 48 days. Position last season: 2Manager: Fabio CannavaroNew signings: None from outside the reserves and youth team.Foreigners: None registered. More than two months after he was handed the reins, Slaven Bilic has finally had his unveiling as the new coach of 🇨🇳 Chinese Super League outfit Beijing Guoan, who will once again feature in @TheAFCCL this season. #ACL2021 pic.twitter.com/syxrT236sH — FOX Sports Asia (@FOXSportsAsia) April 11, 2021 Beijing Guoan Kept their name after some chicanery with the ownership and they have also kept their squad from last season, though Renato Augusto is trapped in Brazil. Went as close as they have done in years thanks to Cedric Bakambu finding his scoring touch but will need new boss (and former central defender) Slaven Bilic to tighten them up at the back. He Zhenyu, who has signed from English Premier League side Wolves’ under-23s, will be an interesting one to watch. Jiangsu FC: from Gareth Bale to bailout, Chinese football dream dies with Suning era Position last season: 3Manager: Slaven BilicNew signings: Lucas Souza (loan), He Zhenyu, Gao Tianyi, Cao Yongjing. Foreigners: Cedric Bakambu, Jonathan Viera, Kim Min-jae, Lucas Souza, Renato Augusto (still in Brazil). 🇨🇳Chinese Super League⚽️The Guangzhou division welcomed its 1st team when Qingdao arrived on Friday⚽️Amongst their ranks now are former Guangzhou FC defender Liu Jian and former #Burnley midfielder Fredrik Ulvestad#CSL @DaniAcosta3 @loveqingdao @AllAfcFootball @TheAsianGame pic.twitter.com/C2FSaEgq7P — CGTN Sports Scene (@CGTNSportsScene) April 17, 2021 Shanghai Port (Shanghai SIPG) Lost Hulk but the team have kept Oscar and the rest of their foreign contingent, none of whom are overseas. The only blow is an injury to new signing Ante Majstorovic. Wu Lei at Espanyol: can China’s best footballer prove the doubters wrong? Position last season: 4Manager: Ivan LekoNew signings: Ante Majstorovic, Haliq Ablahan, Du Jia, Li Ang.Foreigners: Oscar, Aaron Mooy, Marko Arnautovic, Ricardo Lopes, Ante Majstorovic. Shandong Taishan released the squad for the Round 1-14. The 5 foreign players named are Marouane Fellaini, Son Jun-ho, Leonardo(from Urawa), Moises (still in Brazil) and.....Pedro Delgado(De'erjiaduo), a Portuguese Chinese not eligible to be seen as a domestic player in CSL yet. pic.twitter.com/mfxVgaLH4j — Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 14, 2021 Shandong Taishan (Shandong Luneng) For a team that has already been kicked out of the AFC Champions League without playing a game over unpaid wages, this could be a tough season off the pitch. On it, they have signed the highly rated Shi Ke from Shanghai Port and Urawa’s Leonardo but their Brazilians remain in Brazil. At least Marouane Fellaini will not be moving to Spurs to rejoin Jose Mourinho. K League 1 MVP Son Jun-ho could be an inspired signing. Wayne Rooney snubbed Chinese Super League cash but big money days are over Position last season: 5Manager: Hao WeiNew signings: Shi Ke, Son Jun-ho, Ji Xiang, Xu Xin, Loenardo.Foreigners: Marouane Fellaini, Son Jun-ho, Leonardo, Moises, Pedro Delgado. Two signings of Uzbek players from CSL clubs announced this morning: apart from Odil Ahmedov (to Cangzhou Mighty Lions), Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic announced the signing of Dostonbek Tursunov. The former Busan IPark defender is the 1st signing of Chongqing after name change. pic.twitter.com/t136948odD — Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 13, 2021 Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic (Chongqing Dangdai Lifan) Finished higher than anyone expected last season after making it into the championship rather than the relegation group but have since sold their best player, Adrian Mierzejewski. New loan signing Miler Bolanos, who did well in a brief stint with Shanghai Shenhua at the end of last season, has big boots to fill as the Pole’s replacement. ‘Protect national players, honour Communist Party’: Chinese FA tells clubs Position last season: 6Manager: Chang Woe-ryonNew signings: Miler Bolanos (loan), Dostonbek Tursonov, Sun Kai, Chen Zhao, Jiang Shenglong.Foreigners: Miler Bolanos, Dostonbek Tursonov, Marcinho, Fernandinho. Nike logo already removed - Shanghai Shenhua posted this picture of their players training today on club's official Weibo. Commentators speculated that the picture had been photoshopped. pic.twitter.com/ktB4Vgfyt7 — Cameron Wilson 韦侃仑 (@CameronWEF) March 25, 2021 Shanghai Shenhua The good news is that they got to keep their name (albeit without sponsor Greenland), the bad news is that it seems to be same old Shenhua. A transfer policy that has seen some of the biggest names in the league leave while older players sign on has not excited fans, nor has the red sash on their blue shirts. As unpredictable as ever. Guangzhou Roast Geese? ‘Neutral’ names needed for Chinese football clubs, CFA confirms Position last season: 7Manager: Choi Kang-heeNew signings: Feng Xiaoting, Wu Xi, Adrian Mierzejewski (loan), Christian Bassogog, Jin Yangyang, Xue Qinghao, Yang Zexiang, Zeng Cheng, Wu Xi, Denny Wang, He Longhai, Matej Jonjic.Foreigners: Gio Moreno, Adrian Mierzejewski, Christian Bassogog, Kim Shin-wook, Matej Jonjic. After Shenzhen FC signed 3 foreign players, Hebei FC announced the signing of Ole Selnaes, the Norwegian midfielder offloaded by Shenzhen. As Mubarak Wakaso moved from Jiangsu to Shenzhen, Ole Selnaes, who joined Shenzhen in 2019, fallen out of favor in Jordi Cruyff's team. pic.twitter.com/Af5viDEm2z — Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 13, 2021 Hebei FC (Hebei China Fortune) A team that encapsulates the austerity of the CSL in recent years, Hebei have gone from signing Fifa World Cup finalists and Uefa Champions League winners to players cast off as surplus ro requirements at Shenzhen. They have also lost Ricardo Goulart, who returned to Guangzhou FC, and was one of their key performers last season which ended with them finishing the bottom team of the championship play-off group. Position last season: 8Manager: Kim Jong-booNew signings: Ole Selnaes (loan), Jin Qiang, Pang Jiajun, Zu Pengchao, Yao Daogang, Chen Jiayu.Foreigners: Marcao, Paulinho, Ole Selnaes, Samir Memisevic. Henan Songshan Longmen announced the signing of Mohamed Buya Turay from Hebei FC. The Swedish league top scorer in 2019 was signed by Hebei last year and scored 5 goals in 13 CSL matches. He now crosses over the Yellow River from the north bank (Hebei) to the south bank(Henan). pic.twitter.com/LzSP5UVxMf — Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 8, 2021 Henan Songshan Longmen (Henan Jianye) Comfortably midtable last season in the end but that does not tell the true story of a team who struggled for much of the campaign. Javier Pereira came in and oversaw the end of that and fans will hope to build on that, while Mohamed Buya Turay looks like a solid signing. Fan fury as Chinese Super League clubs told to change names Position last season: 9Manager: Javier PereiraNew signings: Mohamed Buya Turay, Dilmurat Mawlanniyaz, Toni Sunjic (on loan last season), Ahmat Tursunjan (loan), Chen Pu (loan), Parmanjan Kyum (loan), Zhao Yuhao, Feng Boxuan.Foreigners: Buya Turay, Toni Sunjic, Fernando Karanga, Henrique Dourado, Ivo. Tianjin Jinmen Tigers released their new team badge after name change. The right side is their badge when the club was as Tianjin Teda(1998-2021). Which one do you prefer? pic.twitter.com/MEyszu0ZxU — Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 14, 2021 Tianjin Jinmen Tigers (Tiajin TEDA) Survived the same fate as Jiangsu by the skin of their teeth but the team have been toothless when it comes to transfers since being saved. Loans and frees have made up their winter transfer window to replace the better players who have moved on to pastures new. The threadbare squad is expected to struggle this season. Football Manager 2021 Uygur ‘newgen’ glitch sees minority players disappear from game Position last season: 10Manager: Yu GenweiNew signings: Tamas Kadar (loan), Chen Kerui (loan), Cong Zhen (loan), Jules Iloki, Fan Xuyang (loan), Yang Zihao (loan), Zhou Qiming, Li Songyi (loan), Ba Dun (loan), Li Xiang, Zhou Tong, Nie Tao, Fan Jingqi.Foreigners: Tamas Kadar, Jules Iloki. According to local media, for the opening game of the 2021 CSL - the Guangzhou derby to be held in Tianhe Stadium on Apr 20, 26, 000 spectators will be allowed to enter(another source says 30, 000). For every match that Guangzhou FC or Guangzhou City play, up to 50% capacity. pic.twitter.com/sQggQH61ih — Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 10, 2021 Guangzhou City (Guangzhou R&F) One of the big underperformers last season under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the worry is that they finished 11th even with the goals of Eran Zahavi and Dia Saba. All three of those have left the club and new boss Jean-Paul van Gastel has to get his team scoring goals, which new arrivals Guilherme, Jown Cardona and Tiago Leonco should help with. He appears focused at the other end, though, if signing defensive midfielder Gustav Svensson is any sign of things to come. Covid-19 chaos for Asian football as region’s leagues hit hard by pandemic Position last season: 11Manager: Jean-Paul van GastelNew signings: Han Pengfei, Zhou Yuchen, Hu Ruibao, Gustav Svensson, Guilherme, Jown Cardona, Tiago Leonco. Foreigners: Mousa Dembele, Gustav Svensson, Guilherme, Jown Cardona, Tiago Leonco. This is the team photo for Dalian Pro for the new season kickoff. No Rafa Benitez. No Marek Hamsik. No Salomon Rondon. Jose Gonzalez, the former Wuhan and Beijing Guoan head coach, succeeds Rafa Benitez. They will start the season with only 1 foreign player(Marcus Danielson). pic.twitter.com/Iu8yZI7DeT — Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 18, 2021 Dalian Pro Rafa Benitez has been replaced by the man who saw Wuhan towards relegation last season, Jose Gonzalez, and the team’s stars have followed their boss out of the door. Marek Hamsik signed for Goteborg and Salomon Rondon is out on loan, others had already made their moves back, with little coming in to replace them. It seems unlikely that there will be an upturn in form after a disastrously bad season last year. Hong Kong’s Alex Akande rejoins Kitchee after cryptic farewell to Chinese Super League’s Dalian Pro Position last season: 12Manager: Jose GonzalezNew signings: Yang Haoyu, Ablet Kudirat.Foreigners: Marcus Danielson, Sam Larsson, Emmanuel Boateng, Jailson. Chinese Super League side Shenzen FC announce the signings of 🇬🇭 Ghanaian duo Mubarak Wakaso and Frank Acheampong.Shenzen strengthen their team with former Chinese League winner Wakaso and Frank Acheampong who has 30 goals in 4 seasons in the league. 🇬🇭⚽️🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/1k2NbZQUqs — Owuraku Ampofo 🇬🇭 (@_owurakuampofo) April 12, 2021 Shenzhen FC A new look, in the fact that they now have orange home kits rather than red to honour the team’s past successes, and plenty of new faces. Dutch boss Jordi Cruyff has rung the changes in the off-season, signing some experienced CSL players to add to Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji who joined last season, and they could be the surprise package this time out. Qatar 2022: no booze, pork or excess body fat key to China’s World Cup hopes, says Li Tie Position last season: 13Manager: Jordi CruyffNew signings: Muburak Wakaso, Frank Acheampong, Juan Fernando Quintero, Alan Kardec, Yuan Mincheng.Foreigners: Juan Fernando Quintero, Muburak Wakaso, Frank Acheampong, Alan Kardec, Morteza Pouraliganji. Qingdao FC (Qingdao Huanghai) Successfully stayed up last season in their first year in the CSL but have done nothing of note to inspire confidence that it will not be another battle this season. French forward Romain Allesandrini was key to their fortunes and his goals will no doubt prove vital again. Chinese Super League clubs miss salary deadline, Citic to sell Beijing Guoan stake for 1 yuan Position last season: 14Manager: Wu JinguiNew signings: Fredrik Ulvestad, Ji Xiaoxuan (loan), Zhou Junchen (loan), Li Peng, Erpan Ezimjan, Hu Jiali, Liu Jian, Wang Wei, Lu Peng, Zou Zheng and Zhu Ting.Foreigners: Fredrik Ulvestad, Denis Popovic, Dejan Radonjic, Romain Allesandrini, Jagos Vukovic. Wuhan FC announced the signing of Yoann Arquin from Heilongjiang Ice City. The French striker previously joined Heilongjiang(as Heilongjiang Lava Spring then) in 2019. As Leo Baptistao and Rafael Silva could not enter China from Brazil, Yoann Arquin is signed as a replacement. pic.twitter.com/zASHxKtHxy — Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 12, 2021 Wuhan FC (Wuhan Zall) The team with the toughest 2020 season of all stayed up after winning their promotion-relegation play-off. Expected to put on a better showing this time out even in the absence of their Brazilians Leo Baptistao and Rafael Silva. Wuhan Zall secure Chinese Super League survival and possible 60 million yuan in play-off win Position last season: 15Manager: Li XiaopengNew signings: Stephane Mbia, Yang Boyu, Yoann Arquin, Lin Guoyu, Fang Hao (loan), Ye Chongqiu, Guo Jiawei, Huang Zichang, Tian Yinong, Keweser Xamixidin (loan), Zhao Honglue, Li Yang (loan), Yang Boyu, Dong Xuesheng.Foreigners: Leo Baptistao, Jean Evrard Kouassi, Stephane Mbia, Yoann Arquin, Daniel Carrico. Cangzhou Mighty Lions' season setting-out ceremony: all high-rank officials of Cangzhou municipal government attended -- that may be the reason why the club is relocated from Shijiazhuang to Cangzhou. The team coached by Afshin Ghotbi signed 18 new players before the season. pic.twitter.com/okMt8UZRcQ — Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 16, 2021 Cangzhou Mighty Lions (Shijiazhuang Ever Bright) Came up after going down, much like Shenzhen the season before, benefiting from a CSL club folding, with Canzghou also taking in several players from the champions as well as their place in the league. The team moved to Cangzhou as well as signing 18 new players so how this season goes is anyone’s guess but they suffered last season because of the format and did not deserve to be in the relegation play-offs. 2021 #CSL Shenzhen FC New Season Promo 🔥Jordi Cruijff's side will play their season opening match against Henan Songshan Longmen on April 21st in Guangzhou. @JordiCruyff @CSLfutbol @AllAfcFootball @ShenzhenPages @Shenzhen_FC Video credit: @深圳市足球俱乐部 pic.twitter.com/w4srhxhzcJ — CGTN Sports Scene (@CGTNSportsScene) April 14, 2021 Position last season: 16th – “Relegated”Manager: Afshin GhotbiNew signings: Abduhamit Abdugheni, Xie Pengfei, Luo Jing, Adama Diomande, Odil Ahemdov, Zheng Kaimu, André Senghor, Zhang Xiangshou, Bughrahan Iskandar, Yan Zihao, Liu Yang, Guo Hao, Ma Fuyu, Hu Shengjia, Sabit Abdusalam, Zhao Xuebin, Chen Zhongliu, Lin Chuangyi.Foreigners: Adama Diomande, Odil Ahmedov, Muriqui, Stoppila Sunzu, Andre Senghor. Changchun Yatai have also unveiled a beauty of a home shirt for the season #CSL pic.twitter.com/UzHK9yarZH — James Reeve (@JamesRJReeve) April 17, 2021 Changchun Yatai Back in the big time after a couple do seasons in the wilderness of the second tier, Changchun did it by being parsimonious in defence last season. Star signing Junior Negrao may be 34 but he was the top scorer in the AFC Champions League last season and there is no reason to believe the Brazilian lost his shooting boots in the move from South Korea. Chinese football is getting worse – are top six ambitions over? Position last season: 1st in China League One – PromotedManager: Chen YangNew signings: Junior Negrao, Erik, Sun Qinhan (loan), Hui Jiakang, Zhang Yufeng, Mao Kaiyu, Jores Okore, Wang Peng, Zhang Yu.Foreigners: Junior Negrao, Erik, Jores Okore, Serginho, Richairo Zivkovic.