The veteran players of the Taishan team are facing the problem of staying in the coming season, among which Zheng Zheng, Shi Ke, Judson and other team cores have attracted much attention.
These players carry the history and glory of the team, however, the passage of time seems to be inexorably fading away. At this critical juncture, the team's coaching staff must think carefully to lay a solid foundation for the future of the club.
Zheng Zheng and Shi Ke, the presence of these two central defenders was once an indispensable part of the Taishan team. However, the reality is that none of them are young anymore. Especially Shi Ke, the arrival of the offseason may be an opportunity for him to usher in a new life. The double pressure of injury and age has slowed him down, and how to recover effectively during the break has become a key question.
Zheng Zheng, although he is still in good form, at the age of 34, it is impossible for him to start every game. While rumours of retirement have not been rife in the game, finding his place in a younger squad has become a new challenge for a veteran.
Judson's future is even more uncertain. With only one year left on his contract, he was frequently unable to appear in key matches for various reasons, sparking rumours of his departure. The 31-year-old centre-back could be on the verge of leaving the club at the end of the season. The team needed to make changes at centre-back, which led to speculation about the introduction of foreign players.
The departure of the veteran centre-back is directly related to the future of the team's defensive line-up, and at this critical juncture, young players will have the opportunity to make their mark. Ji Xiang is a veteran player, and his contract extends until 2026. However, as his speed and explosiveness slip, he may need to change his position.
In his new position, it remains a mystery whether he will be able to find a stable position in Choi Kang-hee's tactical system. Perhaps, Ji Xiang's role next season will no longer be the choice of central defender, but to show his strength in other positions.
As for Zhang Chi and Song Long, the departure and stay of their two veterans has also become the focus of fans' attention. Whether Zhang Chi chose to stay in the team, while Song Long said goodbye due to the expiration of his contract. These two veterans will give up valuable opportunities for young players and inject fresh blood into the team.
Fernando was eventually left behind, but he looked a little helpless. Due to the team's wide problems, he became a temporary option, although he only had one year left on his contract.
The decision may be a stopgap move for the team in the event that they can't find a better option on the flanks for the time being. Wu Xinghan's future is relatively clear, and according to the current news, he is likely to stay with the team.
The retention of these two wide players has also exposed the aging of the team's wings, and new blood needs to be introduced urgently. However, one of the biggest dilemmas teams face in front of veteran players is the longevity of contracts.
Most of these players have contracts extended until 2026, making it difficult for the team to make quick adjustments at short notice. Too many veterans and too long contracts have made it difficult for the Taishan team to adjust the lineup, and it will take time to gradually introduce new forces.
Overall, the future of the veteran players of the Tarzan team is full of uncertainties. While retaining the core, the team needs to provide more opportunities for young players and find new tactical layouts.
With contracts expiring and rookies coming to the fore, the team may be able to get out of the fog of adjustment and usher in a new round of glory in the future. And this process is destined to take time and patience.