Shanghai Shenhua have confirmed that key defenders Gai and Mineiro will miss the remainder of the season. Gai is sidelined with a serious injury and was not registered for the league, while Mineiro received a straight red card for kicking Mao Weijie off the ball in an FA Cup match against Dalian Yingbo, leading to a mutual contract termination.
Jiang Shenglong is also highly unlikely to return this season. The defender underwent minimally invasive surgery in December last year and has not featured in any matches since. Although his recovery is progressing well and he has been registered for the AFC Champions League Two, a return in the final four Chinese Super League rounds appears improbable.
"The team has adopted a relaxed approach in the league this season, with no pressure to win the title or avoid relegation." some fans remarked. Shenhua's recent form has been mixed, with three wins and two losses in their last five outings, including a 2-1 victory over Tampines Rovers on September 17.
With no major objectives left in the league, the club's focus has shifted to building for the 2027 campaign. The full squad list reflects the current personnel situation.
Injury crises have also hit other title contenders, with Beijing Guoan's He Yupeng and Wu Shaocong, and Shandong Taishan's Zecca all suffering serious injuries. Shenhua will use the remaining matches to assess their options ahead of next season.
First reported at k.sina.com.cn
