Becoming Evergrande’s “Second Team”? No Fuss, No Filters: Reports Link CSL Four-Time Champions With Ex-Guangzhou FC Defender

The winter transfer window hasn’t even opened yet, but the Chinese Super League is already buzzing beneath the surface. Rumors are flying across the league, and Shanghai Port—four-time CSL champions—have once again been placed at the center of the conversation. Recent reports have linked them with young prospect Yang Xi from Qingdao West Coast, and also with Chengdu Rongcheng defender Li Yang.

If Yang Xi represents the kind of rising new talent that makes sense for a squad upgrade ahead of the 2025 season, then Li Yang’s name has raised a different question: who exactly is he, and why would a serial title-winning side push hard to bring him in?

Chinese football reporter Sun Dexin posted on social media that Li Yang is edging closer to a move to Shanghai Port, claiming the two parties have already held in-depth talks and that the deal has a strong chance of happening. The context is clear: with defender Li Ang reportedly leaving, Port are believed to be looking for a replacement option at the back.

If the plan is for Li Yang to fill a depth role, his experience could make him serviceable. In recent years, he has logged significant minutes in both the CSL and AFC Champions League competitions, giving him exposure to high-pressure match environments.

Still, if this rumor turns into reality, it’s understandable why fans are puzzled. Has Shanghai Port suddenly become less selective in the market—or is it simply that reliable, attainable defenders are scarce right now?

So what level is Li Yang at? His career path has been busy. He previously spent time in Portugal, returned to China to join Shanghai Shenhua, and then moved in 2022 to a struggling Guangzhou side where he became a starter for a season. After that came stints with Wuhan Three Towns, and then Chengdu Rongcheng.

At Guangzhou, Li Yang stepped into the starting lineup quickly, but not necessarily because he was vastly superior to the alternatives. That period coincided with a Guangzhou squad heavily filled with academy youngsters who had limited professional experience. Even so, his “solid enough” run there helped establish momentum in his career.

Notably, Guangzhou’s captain at the time was Wei Shihao. After the club’s relegation, Li Yang’s journey closely mirrored Wei’s—both moved to Wuhan Three Towns, and later joined Chengdu Rongcheng together. That long-running overlap also helped build a strong personal bond between them.

At Chengdu, Li Yang’s performances have been mixed, earning both praise and criticism. His toughest spotlight came in the AFC Champions League Elite, where one match in particular drew heavy backlash. Against Vissel Kobe, Li Yang was blamed for two decisive errors that directly led to two goals conceded.

First, he was caught too loose in marking inside the box, allowing the opponent to finish. Then, late in the match, he brought down an attacker and conceded a penalty. What could have been three points became a painful one-point draw, leaving Chengdu to regret a missed opportunity in the race for qualification.

As a player type, Li Yang is often described as committed and willing, with the demeanor of a leader—but with relatively rough technique. He can also be hot-headed and a little rash. When the team is playing well, he can look comfortable and effective; when the match turns chaotic, his weaknesses tend to get exposed more sharply.

Historically, Shanghai Port’s recruitment standard for center-backs has been higher than this profile. Their targets typically fall into two categories: proven, top-tier national-team defenders like Jiang Guangtai or Zhang Linpeng, or at least experienced “fringe international” types such as Li Ang—once a key figure for the title-winning Jiangsu side.

By comparison, Li Yang’s highest national-team résumé has been at the U23/Olympic level, without breaking into the senior national team setup. That contrast is why this link has sparked debate: are Port truly short on options this time?

And then there’s the extra storyline fans can’t resist. If Li Yang joins, it adds fuel to the long-running joke that Shanghai Port are turning into an “Evergrande second team.” Over the years, a number of former Guangzhou Evergrande figures have been connected with, or have served at, Port—ranging from players like Conca, Elkeson, Sun Xiang, Jiang Guangtai, Zhang Linpeng, and Xu Xin, to staff members including a former Evergrande team doctor.

Whether this latest rumor becomes a real signing or just another winter-window headline, one thing is certain: Shanghai Port’s next defensive move will be watched closely—and judged even more loudly.