Sept. 11: Shanghai Shenhua Beat Tongliang Long 3-1, but Youth Development Crisis Emerges Behind the Win

In the 26th round of the 2026 season, Shenhua beat Chongqing Tongliang Long 3-1 away. The three points were hard-earned. It was not a dramatic comeback, but a steady victory finally secured during a period of conceding goals, losing streaks and coaching turmoil.

However, veteran fans likely felt more than simple relief after the match. Watching Shenhua fall from winning the Super Cup twice in consecutive years and consistently finishing second in the Chinese Super League to fighting for every point in a relegation battle, the gap cannot be erased by one win.

Public opinion often looks for the most visible person to blame. Some criticize the players' effort, some question new coach Milorjevic's ability, and others attribute the problems to a young player's mistake, as if changing one person or fixing one error could immediately solve the season's struggles.

But reviewing the details of the past months shows that Shenhua's situation is not caused by one individual. It is the result of accumulated choices and compromises over time.

The most discussed issue is the direct mistake. In the 1-4 away defeat to Shandong Taishan at the end of May, Liu Chengyu's costly back pass became the focus after the match. Such errors can change any tight game. Coach Slutsky publicly criticized it, which is a normal response from a coach after a defeat.

But what followed went beyond normal handling of one mistake. Liu Chengyu disappeared from the first-team squad, with a back injury given as the reason. While minor back injuries usually recover within two to four weeks, he missed first-team competitive matches for more than three months and only returned to full training in September before joining the U20 league squad.

The mistake itself was a clear on-field error and required responsibility. But a young domestic forward who had performed strongly among his age group for two consecutive years being removed from first-team competition for a long period went beyond criticism and became a breakdown of trust in selection.

Later matches showed repeated fitness problems among Shenhua's starters. During an eight-day, three-match stretch, they lost 0-3 to Beijing Guoan, overturned Chengdu Rongcheng 5-4, and lost 0-1 to Dalian Yingbo. Their late-game running problems appeared repeatedly. Their midfield passing accuracy was 81.8%, eighth in the league, and key passes ranked third, but attacking progression often failed at the final step because the starters were overused and rotation depth was insufficient.

Part of this gap could have been filled by U23 players through competitive experience, but three key U23 players had combined for less than 90 league minutes by round 26, with zero goals and assists. Without official league opportunities, young players could not be expected to immediately step up when needed.

Looking deeper, tactical choices also carry responsibility. Slutsky managed Shenhua for 109 matches, recording 65 wins, 19 draws and 25 losses, with a win rate close to 60%. He was the most successful coach by win percentage in Shenhua history and led the team to two Super Cups and two consecutive CSL runner-up finishes.

However, the team began the 2026 season with a 10-point deduction due to historical issues, leaving no room for mistakes from the first round. Under these circumstances, the coaching staff prioritized immediate results and avoided giving young players trial opportunities despite increasing fatigue among starters.

Milorjevic officially took over on August 16. His debut ended in a 0-3 loss to Beijing Guoan, with Shenhua failing to score from 12 shots. The defense then conceded 10 goals across the next three matches. Many criticized his tactics, but the squad had already been heavily exhausted by a crowded schedule before he arrived. Full-back Chen Jinyi later suffered a partial tear of the right anterior talofibular ligament, requiring four to six weeks of recovery.

The new coach needed to adjust the defensive system quickly, but available rotation options were already limited. His tactical choices were not flawless, yet much of the room for adjustment had already been reduced by previous selection strategies. Shenhua's attacking data remained among the league's best, but defensive concentration repeatedly failed.

At the root of the club's operation, many problems are beyond what a coach alone can solve. Veteran fans remember that in 1994, the first year of professional football, Shanghai local players made up more than 70% of Shenhua's first team, and eight regular starters in 1995 were local youth products.

By the 2026 season, Shanghai local players accounted for less than 20% of the first team, with only two local players regularly starting. This does not mean local players are always better, but the connection between youth development and first-team usage has clearly weakened.

Shenhua's youth system is not without talent. Liu Chengyu scored five goals in 2025 and was a benchmark among his age group. The U20 team won the second stage of the 2026 league, while Wang Yifan, on loan in the second tier, started three consecutive matches and scored a stoppage-time winner. These young players have ability, yet received no first-team minutes when rotation was most needed.

At the start of the season, the club announced a younger squad, with U22 players added to the first-team list and the average age reduced by 3.2 years. By September, however, these plans had largely not materialized. The issue was not one coach's decision but the club prioritizing short-term survival results over long-term youth planning.

Slutsky resigned after the match and said there were things he could not change. The statement reflected how limited a coach's choices can be under the club's overall approach to squad management.

Of course, some factors should not be over-attributed. The 10-point deduction was a historical issue beyond current coaches and players' control. The crowded CSL schedule, Chen Jinyi's ligament injury and fatigue-related problems are also unavoidable risks in a long season.

No one can expect a team starting with a 10-point deduction to rotate young players comfortably in every match, nor can a new coach completely fix a defense at its limit within one month. These risks are part of professional football and cannot all be blamed on one person.

Today's Shenhua has not lost its value simply because its name remains Shanghai Shenhua. Fans have seen the players fight until the final minute. In the 3-1 win over Tongliang Long, Shenhua scored twice in the opening 11 minutes, and young substitute Yang Haoyu headed in the third goal to seal the result, showing the team's remaining resilience.

The problems that need fixing cannot be solved by replacing one coach or criticizing one player for a mistake. From handling errors and tactical rotation to youth development planning, every layer needs gradual improvement. Responsibilities must be accepted, while normal risks should not be exaggerated.

What veteran fans hope for is not an immediate return to championship glory, but for Shenhua to rebuild its foundation, avoid yearly relegation anxiety, allow academy players to progress naturally, and see more familiar faces from the city on the pitch again.

This is not one person's issue; it is a long-term task for the entire club.