Zhejiang Team, Planning to Conquer the Chinese Super League

By Zuo Rui In the 2025 CSL season, Zhejiang Greentown has showcased a wealth of young talents and remarkable tenacity, earning widespread recognition. The rising popularity of football in Hangzhou also highlights the club’s optimistic future after its successful equity restructuring. Whether it was coach Caneda reviewing the team before his break in Spain or Vice General Manager Wu Shaokun’s interviews during uncertain European recruitment trips, both conveyed a shared belief: the youth talents and academy reserves are Zhejiang Greentown’s greatest assets, already reaching a transformative stage with real potential to deliver results.

When Caneda decided to start Wang Yudong in the second round of the CSL, “My experience told me this boy could contribute significantly to both the present and future of our team.” Regarding the tactical changes led by the Spanish coach and positional shifts, Wang Yudong initially felt confused, but Wu Shaokun explained that although challenging, this was beneficial since “playing abroad will require adapting to such demands.”

“He once thought attacking from the left wing suited him better, feeling his qualities were less visible on the right,” Wu Shaokun said. He then asked Wang, “If you don’t adapt now, how will you cope later? Foreign clubs won’t keep him fixed on the left just because they signed him. Shao Jiayi was China’s best attacking midfielder but played as a forward in the Bundesliga.”

This advice worked wonders: Wang Yudong began scoring from the right wing, contributing five assists all after the position switch this season. Even more encouraging was his improved adaptability, “because abroad, you face world-class players, not just CSL players.” Having just turned 19, rumors about Wang moving to Europe persist, but Wu Shaokun responded, “For all Zhejiang players, any transfers in or out will be officially announced by the club immediately.”

Wang Yudong, with 11 goals, is undoubtedly the top domestic scorer in the CSL, highlighting the strength of the club’s young talents. Alongside Liu Haofan, Wang Shiqin, Zhang Aihui, Bao Shengxin, and Huo Shenping, Zhejiang Greentown has six players selected for the U22 national team, the highest among CSL clubs—this is their biggest trump card. “It shows our young players have earned recognition from both the club and the national team,” Caneda stated, emphasizing this “immense asset” benefits the team now and in the future.

This season, Zhejiang Greentown’s starting lineup has the youngest average age in the CSL, uses the full five foreign player slots the least, and key contributors like second top scorer Frank and top assister Ousu have spent much time on the bench. The top five players by appearances in league and cup matches are Sun Guowen (32), Li Tixiang (31), Wang Yudong (30), Lucas (30), and Liu Haofan (29), with four domestic players and two youngsters among them.

“It is precisely by relying on more outstanding young players that we can gain more league points and create greater tactical flexibility,” Caneda believes. For him, pursuing youth development and winning are not contradictory; as these young players gain experience, their potential will be “better realized.”

After the summer transfer window, with key signings Mitrits and Yago joining and youngsters Zhang Aihui and Wang Junjie promoted to the first team, Zhejiang Greentown has unleashed stronger fighting spirit and determination. The record for most goals scored in injury time in a single CSL season was broken with 13 goals, a thrilling statistic reflecting the team’s unity and fighting spirit at the forefront.

Usually, the most satisfying matches are wins, but Caneda’s favorite game demonstrating the team’s character and positive momentum was the 3-4 loss to Guoan, the only home defeat this season. The team showed “control, aggression, and competitiveness” that gave him confidence. The only match he was dissatisfied with was the 29th round away game against Haigang, due to a lack of “positivity and desire to win.”

How does the club evaluate the head coach? Wu Shaokun summarized that Caneda’s use of young players has been impressive, especially promoting Zhang Aihui; tactically, the team has seen more innovation and richer formations compared to previous coaches, including deploying two attacking midfielders in defensive midfield and switching between three- and four-back systems.

Areas for improvement include the team’s style and physical confrontation, which need strengthening; defensively, both individual marking and zonal defense require enhancement. Caneda admits that to overcome the winless record against the top five teams, they must maintain their current ball possession advantage while improving defensive capabilities without the ball, “especially in physical duels.”

What does “steady progress” mean for Zhejiang Greentown? It means “stable investment and ambitious goals.” Wu Shaokun explained that with strong government and shareholder support, the club faces “no financial issues,” but full state ownership and continued youth training advantages mean they “won’t spend recklessly.”

“Our strength lies not in the scale of investment but in timely and adequate funding.” Under this principle, next season’s budget and salary total will not exceed this season’s. Wu Shaokun denied rumors of a 400 million yuan investment, calling them “irresponsible gossip and something we don’t want.” Within the current budget, the club strives for the best cost-effectiveness and returns.

This season’s 30 rounds yielded 10 wins, 12 draws, 8 losses, 60 goals scored, 51 conceded, and 42 points placing seventh. One reason for missing the top five, which bothers Caneda, is that in two consecutive seasons, they have faced top five CSL teams 20 times without a win, mostly drawing.

To break this pattern while finishing seventh again, Zhejiang’s confidence comes first from government and shareholder backing, and second from added investment in rehabilitation and medical support, which directly impacts player quality and overall strength. Examples include Wei Shihao from Rongcheng and Li Lei from Guoan undergoing rehab at Zhejiang Greentown this year.

From a coaching perspective, the primary task is to keep competition alive within the squad. Caneda’s selection criteria include assessing players’ current abilities and pre-match condition, avoiding fixed positions for certain players, and ensuring the starting eleven always has some variability. “At least 15 to 17 players should be ready to start for the team to improve,” he said.

From the club’s viewpoint, some high-salary players have left or ended contracts, freeing funds that increase flexibility in recruitment. The management’s recent major mission is to identify and select strong foreign players who fit the club’s culture and ambitions within budget constraints.

Zhejiang Greentown’s short-term goal is to firmly establish themselves among the CSL’s top group and remain a strong upper-tier team. “Then better rankings or even a league title will naturally follow.” Regarding the club’s unprecedented CSL championship ambition, Wu Shaokun admits there is no specific timeline but promises full effort and no giving up if chances arise in coming seasons.

Compared to departing captain Frank’s ambitious farewell words, Vice GM Wu Shaokun’s thinking is more pragmatic: “Championships aren’t won just by wanting them.” He cited Shanghai Shenhua’s meticulous preparations during winter training in Haikou as an example. “Even with all preparations, many variables like injuries, performance, and luck affect results. Shenhua’s season showed football’s harsh reality.”

In his view, Henan’s Jiuzhu Dukang is a successful case this season, reaching the FA Cup final “not by chance.” In the match where Zhejiang was eliminated by Henan, they closely studied coach Ramos’s thorough preparations and detailed player rotation plans, noting his clear match strategies and contingency plans.

Is Caneda still Zhejiang’s head coach next season? No decision yet. What’s certain is the club has made a stricter decision regarding coaching requirements. “As a professional CSL team, coaches must focus not only on regular training but also on managing young players and individual training,” Wu Shaokun said. “Our training volume and duration are still insufficient; the gap with Japanese and Korean teams is growing.”

From the 2022 and 2023 AFC Champions League experiences, Zhejiang felt the difference. The continental competition’s pace far exceeds the CSL’s. “To illustrate, the ACL speed might be 100 yards per hour, while CSL is only 60-70. In other words, a counterattack takes 10 seconds in CSL but just 7 in ACL.” He believes this gap relates closely to coaching training demands.

The CSL spans four seasons, and without keeping up with training details and rhythms, speeding up during matches is difficult. “This is a responsibility the coaching staff must address.” He noted that extra training used to be player-driven but now, given the competitive environment and higher goals, it should be initiated and promoted by the head coach. “Japan and Korea train continuously; extra individual training is crucial. Japan trains more intensely; our daily 60-90 minutes is far from enough.”

“As part of Chinese football, we lag behind at ACL and national team levels. Without better training and extra effort, we will fall further behind.” He stressed this isn’t about longer training hours; for example, extra shooting practice requires detailed plans, clear time targets, and accuracy benchmarks.

Regarding some foreign coaches’ resistance to extra training—seeing it as questioning their methods or risking injuries affecting lineups—“this mindset is outdated. We are behind overall, while others train longer and faster; we must learn from the best,” Wu Shaokun said. This must be accepted by the coaching team “with no room for negotiation.”

“If players get injured in training, it shows insufficient training volume or strength. Knee and ankle injuries especially call for stronger conditioning.” Extra training covers passing, shooting, physical strength, and off-field areas like mental health, media handling, and cyberbullying resilience. “Modern players need nourishment from all aspects! The club will increase investment in these areas.”

Among the CSL’s top eight teams this season, only Tianjin Tigers have a domestic coach, Yu Genwei. Zhejiang does not rule out using a local coach. “We’ve considered hometown coaches like Yu Genwei, Han Peng, and Li Guoxu, but Zhejiang’s local coaching resources are limited; changing this will take time and effort.”

The club recently identified two trends: first, football coaches worldwide are generally younger, more energetic, dedicated, and decisive on the pitch; second, the number and influence of domestic head coaches in next CSL season will increase. “Performances by Shao Jiayi, Han Peng, Li Guoxu, Chen Tao, Deng Zhuoxiang, and Li Jinyu prove Chinese coaches are not inferior to foreigners.”

Zhejiang Greentown will launch a program next season allowing veteran players to serve as assistant coaches. If candidates show potential and ambition to become first-team or national team head coaches, the club will provide a platform. “Currently, we still need to recruit coaches from outside Zhejiang who align closely with our goals.” On future head coaches, he said tactics depend on club tradition, not individuals. “We will insist on possession-based play, a tough playing style, and improved efficiency in attack-defense transitions.”

Whether Caneda stays or a new coach arrives, strong, capable players are essential to realize tactical and strategic goals. Among current foreign players, Mitrits has earned trust, Lucas will likely stay, while Yago and Ousu may be replaced. Zhejiang’s recruitment targets cover the entire spine of the team, with finding Frank’s successor a top priority.

Frank’s departure marks a symbolic moment, ending an era and starting a new one. Caneda regards him as the club’s “most successful foreign player” whose positive influence on and off the pitch sets a benchmark for recruitment. “We hope to bring in a player like peak Frank, who can lead the team to victory on the field, guide young players professionally in training, and demonstrate humility and tolerance off the field,” Wu Shaokun said.

Under the 10 million euro CSL foreign player salary cap, it’s impossible to spend big on transfers and salaries. Therefore, cost-effectiveness, compatibility, shared values, and mission are all essential and require careful consideration. With first-team spending capped at 60% of the club’s annual budget, Zhejiang must continue optimizing age structure and wage system.

“We have an advantage in youth training, with increasing young players needing strategic support for development,” Wu Shaokun said. “Foreign players must not only be strong but also understand Chinese football and the CSL to inspire young players.” Meanwhile, the club will increase the performance-based portion of salaries to reflect the principle of “more work, more pay.”

The 32-year-old left wing-back Sun Guowen appeared 32 times this season, providing two assists and, depending on tactical needs, can also play right wing-back or midfield. He has the highest attendance rate in the team, a well-deserved recognition. “He is an excellent player,” Caneda said. “His tireless running and contributions in both attack and defense are exactly what we need.”

Wu Shaokun said that due to age and competition realities, some veteran players will face greater challenges next year. Regarding salaries, the club will ensure a healthier and more competitive environment. “We will allocate resources based on performance and potential. Even national team players cannot automatically receive top CSL salaries.” He believes this internal management will create a sustainable development model.