Chinese football is once again facing major changes, with Golden Boot winner Leonardo, who shone in the Chinese Super League last season, about to leave. According to a report by veteran sports journalist Xu Yi, the goalscorer who plays for Zhejiang FC is likely to move his football career to West Asia. Leonardo showed amazing goalscoring ability in the Chinese Super League last season, scoring a total of 19 goals and winning the Golden Boot ahead of other players. The departure of this player is undoubtedly a big loss to Chinese football.
Among the other foreign players of Zhejiang FC, Frank and Patrice Evra are both still under contract. Leonardo's outstanding performances have attracted the attention of many clubs, especially those in the Middle East, which have deep pockets. He spent the middle of last season on loan at Zhejiang, where he scored 14 goals and performed impressively. At the end of the season, his loan contract with Zhejiang FC also came to an end. Although Leonardo has expressed a deep affection for his life and work at Zhejiang, the lucrative contract offered by the Middle East club may determine his future direction.
Leonardo's departure is not only a turning point in his career, but also a big loss for Chinese football. Before him, 2022 Chinese Super League Golden Boot winner Malcom also played in West Asia at the end of the season, and was only loaned back to Wuhan Three Towns midway through last season. However, Malcolm has not been able to regain his former glory form upon his return. Now, Leonardo, as the 2023 Golden Boot winner, is facing a similar situation. This is not only a major change to Leonar's career, but also reflects the gradual decline in the influence and competitiveness of the Chinese Super League.
The rise of West Asian football has brought a lot of pressure and challenges to the Chinese Super League. The Golden Boot winners of the Chinese Super League for two consecutive seasons have chosen to play in West Asia, which fully reflects the current predicament of the Chinese Super League. The rise of West Asian football has not only posed a huge challenge to the Chinese Super League financially, but also attracted Super League players at the technical and tactical levels. This trend is a warning that the Chinese Super League needs to take more proactive measures to improve its competitiveness and attractiveness.
In the face of such a situation, Zhejiang FC is also actively responding. Head coach Jordy is currently on holiday in Spain and the club are planning to travel to Europe to find a new striker with Jody. It is reported that Zhejiang FC has locked in some potential candidates. If it is deemed appropriate during the contact process in Europe, the Zhejiang team may sign a new foreign player. This action is not only a direct response to Leonardo's departure, but also a positive effort by Zhejiang FC to remain competitive. Despite this, Leonardo's departure is still a major loss that Chinese football cannot avoid, and how to effectively deal with this loss in the future is an important topic that Chinese football needs to ponder. (Lao Qiu Super League Ball Review)