Sept. 10: China National Team Training Squad Announced, Four Shandong Taishan Players Selected, One Choice Surprises Fans

On September 8 Beijing time, Shao Jiayi announced the latest China national team training squad. Four Shandong Taishan players were selected: Xie Wenneng, Liu Yang, Gao Zhunyi and Chen Pu.

Xie Wenneng has ranked among the leaders of Taishan in appearances and availability this season, completing 90 minutes in many Chinese Super League matches. His efficiency and consistency justify a national team call-up. Gao Zhunyi and Liu Yang need little explanation either, as their national team appearance records over recent years speak for themselves. Their continued selections this time have caused little disagreement among fans.

The real point of discussion is Chen Pu's return to the squad after making 23 CSL appearances this season and scoring only two goals. For an attacking player, this statistic is honestly difficult to support the idea of 'speaking through performance.' Among those 23 appearances, he often hesitated in key moments and was slow to recover defensively, drawing boos from Taishan home fans.

Looking back at his previous seasons, his league goal tally was able to stay above four goals per season, and linking play and carrying the ball forward were considered his strengths. However, in the 2024 season, he did not provide enough shooting efficiency or improve his defensive intensity. The combination of two goals and a poor on-field impression led many people to think his selection this time relied more on past impressions.

A more sensitive point is that he has also had a public dispute with his own team's fans. After that incident, discussions on social media about his attitude and sense of responsibility increased noticeably. However, emotional reactions cannot serve as the standard for national team selection. What can be measured are still the numbers: 23 appearances, two goals and very few key passes. For a winger or wide attacking midfielder role, that is indeed not a satisfactory report card.

Maiwulang's story is completely different. Also in the 2024 season, he represented Taishan more than 20 times, but his rhythm was 'playing more and more.' After returning from injury in the second half of the league season, he first came off the bench before directly winning a starting position in the following rounds. His running distance ranked among the top two within the team in many matches, and his average number of high-intensity sprints was not low in CSL statistics.

The most memorable moment came against Shanghai Shenhua, when he scored in the ninth second after kickoff. This 'nine-second strike' was officially recorded as the second-fastest goal in CSL history. It was not a statistic padded during garbage time, but a display of immediately disrupting the opponent's defense in a high-level matchup. It is difficult to say such energy has no value for the national team.

In attack, although his league goal total this season is not high, his shooting attempts per 90 minutes and touches inside the penalty area are both clearly higher than at the start of the season. He is the type whose data is not explosive but whose presence is strong. Combined with his tireless tracking back and wide defensive support in many matches, Taishan fans' view of him has changed from 'try giving the newcomer a chance' to 'this player can no longer be treated as a substitute.'

From the perspective of national teams, Maiwulang was previously overlooked when he was not called up for the Asian Games U23 squad. That already raised disappointment among many fans, because his age, running ability and execution theoretically fit the U23 system's needs. Missing out on the senior national team training squad again at the time of this September 8 announcement appears to be more than just bad luck.

From a purely competitive-form perspective, placing Chen Pu, who has 23 appearances and two goals with strained form and fan relations, ahead of Maiwulang, who had a 'phoenix-like rebirth' in the second half of the season and scored the second-fastest goal in CSL history, inevitably feels unusual. This does not mean Chen Pu is poor, but rather that he has not produced a sufficiently convincing current-season performance.

It can also be understood as a different consideration of positional balance by the coaching staff. Chen Pu can play on both flanks and also fill in centrally. He has previous national team training experience, and from a coach's perspective his defensive discipline may be more stable. Maiwulang currently plays mostly on one flank for Taishan, with a role closer to an 'energy winger.' In short tournaments, whether the coach will prioritize a familiar player is another possible explanation.

For this training camp, however, whether putting 'experience and multiple positions' ahead of 'form and attacking impact' is the best choice for the national team is worth repeated discussion. Especially with World Cup qualifiers requiring a high tempo after September, the question of which type of player the wings need more—the kind who earns opportunities through effort—is answered by the squad list from the coaching staff.

If only looking at the 2024 season, placing Chen Pu with 23 appearances and two goals ahead of Maiwulang, who completed the nine-second strike and continued improving in the second half of the season, makes it difficult to avoid questions that the national team's choice is 'paying for past impressions.'

Would you support the current selection more, or do you think this was the right time to give Maiwulang a genuine opportunity with the senior national team?