Letters From Shanghai: Captain Anelka?

Letters From Shanghai: Captain Anelka?

Letters From Shanghai: Captain Anelka?

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By Andrew Crawford, writing from Shanghai

With the Chinese Super League (CSL) now in full swing, Shanghai Shenhua, having spent an offseason gleefully cranking up expectations, are now being forced to finally back up their big talk - and so far it is not going well. 

Indeed, anyone thinking this might be Shenhua’s year to win the CSL title (their first in almost a decade) might have to reconsider such thoughts after a sloppy Shanghai team laboured to a 1-1 draw against local rivals Jiangsu Sainty in the opening round.

With newly appointed captain Nicolas Anelka out of the side with an injury, the Frenchman’s teammates looked terrible in a first half that saw the visitors snatch an early lead and generally boss the home side around. A stronger second half saw former Australian international Joel Griffiths equalise for Shenhua but even that still could not mask a disappointing evening for the hosts.

Things then got worse the following Friday with a visit northwards to play Beijing Guoan, where Shenhua quickly found themselves two goals down before a furious  Joan Tigana reportedly kicked a chair across the dressing room during the halftime team talk. Presumably with the manager’s voice still ringing in their ears, Shenhua then came from behind and tied the game, only to watch as their former player and Shanghai native, Mao Jiangqing score the winning goal with ten minutes to play.

All of this means Shenhua are in a difficult situation with the upcoming visits of newly promoted Guangzhou Fuli and then the defending champions, Guangzhou Evergrande, and both the sides from Guangdong province will be difficult tests for the home side.

Fuli are currently top of the league and will arrive in Shanghai having recently beaten their wealthy neighbours in a surprise 2-0 derby victory. There isn’t too much information on the newly promoted side, who will be looking to claim another big name scalp early on in the season and Shenhua cannot afford to take them lightly.

Evergrande, having been shown up by their little brother, will be looking to take it out on Shenhua and put the Shanghai club back in its place after the latter’s recent offseason bragging . The reigning champions effectively sealed last year’s title at the Hongkou and will need a win this time around to regain their momentum after an uncertain start.

Within the squad itself, there are also a number of issues that need to be resolved as quickly as possible. Tigana is still trying to settle on his preferred line up and although Anelka and Griffiths look like a dependable frontline, the strikers can’t do everything.

Indeed, last season’s famously porous defence has not been steadied with the arrival of the journeyman Brazilian defender, Moises, who was at fault for the first goal against Beijing and certainly isn’t displaying the kind of veteran leadership that Shenhua fans were hoping for. His partner at the back, Dai Lin, has also looked petrified at times this season and with most CSL sides boasting at least one talented overseas striker, both men could be dropped if there are any further slip ups.

The next two home games are going to be crucial for Shenhua. Beating Fuli and drawing against Evergrande would be enough to restore confidence amongst the fanbase but if both matches rolled by and Shenhua were still winless, then things could get ugly and quickly. Shanghai is an unforgiving city when it comes to success and failure, and to see their team falter after months of grandiose promises could see the return of the frustrations that exploded across the Hongkou terraces last season.  For everyone involved in the club, Shenhua need to find some form and quickly.