With the end of the Super Cup, the new season of the Chinese Super League is about to open a chapter. The teams are in full swing to prepare for the competition, and two of the old powerhouses, Shanghai Shenhua and Shandong Taishan, have shown impressive performances in terms of pre-season form and recruitment. Shenhua beat Harbour in their opening game to win their first title of the year and look ready to compete for the league title. Taishan has attracted much attention recently, and their performance has countless fans, especially in the AFC Champions League, which has given Super League fans a glimmer of hope and expects the Super League to usher in a wave of ** trend.
Despite the quality of the team before the season, the team's recent injury troubles are worrying. Important foreign player Zeka was injured in a game, according to the information released by the club, his injury is quite serious, the proximal cruciate ligament is completely ruptured, and the meniscus is also damaged, involving the collateral ligament, which means that Zeka will face a long-term ** period. This is undoubtedly a heavy blow for the team, as Zeka is not only a key foreign player for the team, but also a scoring guarantee up front.
Zeka's long-term injury absence has presented a serious challenge for the Taishan coaching staff, who need to consider the overall employment plan holistically. On the one hand, the team could consider using the return of Delgado to fill the foreign aid slot, but it should be noted that even if Delgado returns, it will be difficult to fully meet the needs of the coaching staff, especially on the offensive end, considering the serious injury of international player Liu Binbin, the team's need for attacking players is more urgent.
On the other hand, there is a need to carefully assess Zeka's form after recovering from injury, and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to return to the required level. If Zeka can't return to the expected level, then Tarzan's forward line will face an even bigger challenge. As such, the coaching staff is also considering whether there is a need to make changes to the outside to ensure that the team can maintain a steady attacking firepower until Zeka recovers from injury.
The summer transfer window is about to open and Tarzan will have almost three months to find a replacement for Zeka. This period will be crucial for the team, not only to find the right players, but also to adjust their transfer targets based on the team's actual performance. However, it should be noted that even if Tarzan decides to change foreign players, they will need to pay a certain termination fee, which is also an important expense for the team to consider.
The challenges facing Tarzan cannot be underestimated, with injuries plaguing the team's prospects, and Zeka's long-term injury absence putting a lot of pressure on the team. In such a situation, Choi's coaching staff needs to make smart decisions to adjust the squad and ensure that the team can remain competitive in the new season. Whether it is an internal adjustment or an external signing, careful consideration is needed to minimise the impact of Zeka's injury on the team and lay a solid foundation for success in the new season.