Tianjin Jinmen Tiger Hit by 3-Month Foreign Player Injury as Huang Jiahui Declared Untouchable; Zheng Long Shifts into Coaching, While Qingdao Hainiu Overhauls All Five Foreign Signings

When it comes to picking foreign players in the CSL, few can match Yu Genwei’s eye for talent. Last season’s five imports were all effective and fit the team’s needs. If Tianjin Jinmen Tiger had enjoyed stronger squad depth, they might even have pushed for a top-four finish. In the post–big-spending era, with a limited budget, securing sixth place for two consecutive seasons is a masterclass in maximizing value—especially when many clubs spend twice as much and still fail to deliver results.

Still, Tianjin couldn’t keep Ademi, and he is now expected to move on—potentially joining Chen Tao and signing for Shenzhen Peng City.

Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be far more challenging for Jinmen Tiger. With multiple clubs increasing their investment, it will be much harder to “do more with less,” even for a coach as resourceful as Yu Genwei. According to journalist Gu Ying, the team’s tough-tackling defensive midfielder Salvador has undergone surgery to repair both the inner and outer ankle ligaments and is expected to be sidelined for around three months. That means he will miss winter training, likely struggle to feature in March fixtures, and still need time to regain match sharpness after returning. Tianjin must prepare for a difficult start and focus on staying within reach of the pack until the squad is fully fit.

Salvador made 25 appearances last season, contributing 1 goal and 5 assists. His campaign was disrupted by misfortune, including a broken nose and ankle issues, yet he built a reputation as a true warrior—recovering quickly and even playing through pain when needed. With his absence, Tianjin’s midfield will lean heavily on Huang Jiahui. Despite reports that other CSL clubs are interested, Huang is considered non-transferable, having only recently renewed his contract during the summer window.

Without Salvador, ball-winning, defensive coverage, and midfield screening will fall primarily on domestic players. Complicating matters further, young midfielder Chen Zhexuan is set to serve a five-match suspension, reducing rotation options even more during a critical period.

Elsewhere, traditional club Qingdao Hainiu are heading into a rebuild. Starting goalkeeper Han Rongze has joined Liaoning Tieren, while Wellington is expected to play for Chengdu Rongcheng next season. Several Shandong Taishan loanees also have no confirmed stay at the club. With Li Xiaopeng departing, Milan Ristic has taken charge of the project—and veteran Zheng Long is preparing for the next chapter of his career.

According to Qingdao Daily reporter Sun Fei, the 37-year-old Zheng Long has already been appointed as Qingdao Hainiu’s assistant coach, signaling the end of his playing days. A familiar figure to CSL fans, Zheng’s résumé is stacked: he began his career with Qingdao, later moved to Guangzhou where he won four league titles and two AFC Champions League trophies, and even scored at the FIFA Club World Cup. In 2019 he joined Dalian Professional, then returned to Qingdao in 2022—helping the team achieve promotion and deliver back-to-back survival campaigns.

Now, as Ristic’s assistant, Zheng Long is expected to play a key role in the dressing room. A respected club icon on the coaching staff can strengthen unity, reduce internal friction, and keep the squad aligned during tough stretches.

Ultimately, Qingdao’s survival prospects will hinge on recruiting the right foreign players. They spent the first half of last season stuck in the relegation zone, but the summer arrival of Lankelze helped solve their scoring problems. However, the club is set for a full reset: all five foreign players are expected to leave, with replacements across the board.

Ristic has a solid track record when it comes to foreign signings. During his time at Meizhou Hakka, he used his network and experience to bring in imports with strong value for money. With the CSL relegation battle expected to be even harsher next season, Qingdao’s new foreign players must deliver—not only in quality, but also in availability. High attendance and reliability will be essential to avoid repeating last season’s struggles.