At the same time, Shanghai Shenhua's team is in a state of flux, with player turnover becoming the norm. Numerous players have sought to move on for various reasons, with Ma Zhen in the goalkeeper's position standing out as one of the most notable. 26-year-old Ma Zhen is in the prime of his life, and his fitness and reaction in front of goal are of the highest caliber. However, at Shenhua, he rarely had a stable chance to play, and Bao Yaxiong's long-term persistence made it difficult for Ma Zhen to make a name for himself. So he decided to seek new opportunities to play on a wider stage. It is said that Ma's most likely next stop will be a dynamic team.
Apart from Ma Zhen, Shenhua's international players Xie Pengfei and Dai Weijun have also joined the transfer army. Xie Pengfei had a chance to play during Slutsky's tenure, but his playing time was inconsistent, which affected his form and confidence. As a winger, Xie's speed and breaking ability is quite strong in the Chinese Super League, and he is eager to find a team that can give him more chances to play. Dai Weijun, a young midfielder with excellent passing and big play, was overlooked at Shenhua and was even loaned to Shenzhen last season. In order to seek better development, Dai Weijun is also considering to leave Shenhua, looking for a platform where he can fully display his talent. The naturalized player Fernando, a small motorcycle, may also bid farewell to Shenhua. He joined the club on loan, but Shenhua did not renew his contract when it expired, meaning that he may end his Shenhua career in Shanghai. Fernando has returned to Brazil and his future plans are unclear. Whether the foreigner, who has shone in the Chinese Super League, will still feature in the league next season remains an unknown. For Shanghai Shenhua, the departure of these players will undoubtedly have an impact on the team, especially in the goalkeeper and midfield positions. Shenhua will need to quickly bring in new players to fill the gaps. However, from another perspective, the departure of players also brings transfer funds and salary space for the team, providing more possibilities for future signings and contract extensions. Expect Shanghai Shenhua to make a comprehensive squad upgrade in the winter transfer window.
