Choi Kang-hee hadn't anticipated that after taking charge of the Chinese Super League's Lianshanghai and Shanghai teams, he would return to the Chinese Super League to take over Shandong Taishan. This is exactly what Taishan's olive branch! Ultimately, Cui has a soft spot for this Chinese Super League powerhouse. If it wasn't for Taishan, Cui might not have been so keen. The team not only has strong players, but also low-profile and humble foreigners, and as a veteran club in Chinese soccer, Taishan's soccer culture is also profound. Lao Cui returned to the Chinese Super League, not only for wealth considerations, but also have some "name" ambition.
Observing Choi Kang-hee's team-building philosophy, he is working to create a modernized and well-rounded Super League powerhouse.2023 season, Lao Choi's smile was especially bright, especially after winning the title at home. Some people say that Lao Cui is not smiling, but he clarified in one of his interviews that it is not that he doesn't smile, but that he was so focused on the tense atmosphere of the game that he neglected to show his smile. Some fans even teased, "Old Cui looks more handsome when he doesn't smile!"
In 2023, Taishan won three runner-up trophies - the China Super Cup, the Chinese Super League and the FA Cup. After the ups and downs at the beginning of the season, fans were generally satisfied with Taishan's performance. In terms of strength comparison, although it is unfortunate that the team failed to realize four consecutive titles, the Super Cup loss has nothing to do with Cui Kangxi, and Wuhan Sanzhen led by Hao Wei is the winner. If you can beat Zhejiang and Chengdu Rongcheng in the league, and do not lose the battle with the Dalian people, the victory is hard to predict! Next year, the Taishan team vowed to "reclaim the lost glory".
The Cup was not able to realize the fourth consecutive title, although it missed the championship. On the one hand, Shanghai Shenhua's preparation was more adequate; on the other hand, Taishan's team was too consumed in the multi-line battles and could not send out all the main players. In the AFC Champions League, Taishan is expected to be the only team out of the Chinese Super League, which will be a piece of cloth to enhance the image of Chinese soccer! Next year, Taishan will fight on three fronts, striving for a double domestic title and going farther in the AFC Champions League. To do so, the team needs to strengthen its lineup, and the best option is to bring in five foreigners and one Asian foreigner. While Zeca is comparable to Kim Shin-wook, Kaza is the front man that Taishan is chasing. Compared to Zeca, Kaza has more contenders, with many Chinese Super League teams interested in Kaza and a better deal for the player. Taishan's biggest advantage is Lao Cui's coaching, followed by the honor of winning the championship. As for whether the team will strengthen the back or center back, if 26-year-old Baek Sung-ho can join the team, he may be able to replace Son Jun-ho, who is more solid in the waist, which would be the perfect choice!
With the arrival of Zeca, which number 1 jersey will he wear for the T&T team? Obviously, number 9 is the most appropriate position, but it seems unlikely that Klassen will give up the number 9. There is always a set of "first come, first served" rule! As a new foreigner, it will not be easy to take the No. 9 jersey away from Kressan. The most likely scenario is that Zeca will wear Son's No. 19 jersey. At Ulsan Hyundai, Kaza wore No. 8. Now Taesan's No. 8, Pato, should probably consider letting go. If Kaza needs time to prove himself, #7 is also a good option.
