After three days of fierce competition, the first round of the 2024 Chinese Super League season has ended, and 16 teams have shown an unusual league atmosphere. The quality of the competition has been significantly improved compared with last season, with teams such as Taishan Team, Shanghai Port, Shanghai Shenhua and Chengdu Rongcheng performing outstandingly. The professional course creates a good atmosphere and makes you feel like you're in Europe. A number of operations have greatly improved the quality of the league and prompted fans to cheer.
While we usually criticize the Football Association, we should also recognize it when it takes positive steps. Song Kai proposed two reform measures before the game, bringing a good development trend to the Chinese Super League. The increase in the number of foreign players has injected a positive impetus into the league. This season, foreign players can play 5 at the same time, which is different from the previous 5 on 4 policy. Although it is rare to start 5 foreign players in the first round of the competition, as the league deepens, foreign players will be more integrated into the team and further improve the level of competition.
According to statistics, in the first round, 16 teams had a total of 287 minutes with 5 foreign players on the field at the same time, while this data was zero before. The strength of foreign players is better than that of domestic players, and it is logical that stronger players will appear. The increase in foreign aid is not a squeeze on the time of domestic players, and professional leagues not only serve the national team, but also need to be responsible for the fans. The increase in foreign aid stimulates the morale of local players and promotes their competitiveness.
Another positive is the introduction of a precise stoppage time mechanism, with an average of more than 11 minutes of stoppage time in eight games and 20 minutes of stoppage time in the opening game, effectively curbing fraud. Frequent goals were scored in stoppage time to enhance the spectacle of the game. Changes such as the relaxation of referee scales, the reduction of players and coaches besieging referees, and the recovery of national team players. The first round of the new season has brought a number of changes, and we look forward to the continuous improvement of the league, boosting fan confidence and the best environment.
When the league gets better, Chinese football will also flourish. Turn, support the improved quality of the league, and reflect the true love of football.