# 2019 Dalian Yifang F.C. season

The 2019 Dalian Yifang F.C. season was the 10th season in club history.

## Overview
### Preseason

Yifang started the winter training on 24 December 2018 in Dalian until 1 January 2019. The team moved to Kunming on 2 January for a 10-day training, before flying to Marbella, Spain for another 3-week training.
The club decided to end the contract with Bernd Schuster on 3 January. The team was close to Leonardo Jardim and he eventually refused the contract due to multiple concerns. Yifang reached agreement with Korean manager Choi Kang-hee, and officially announced it on 11 February. He was previously signed by Tianjin Quanjian (now renamed Tianjin Tianhai) by the end of the 2018 season, and Quanjian claimed his salary was beyond their ability since the owner and major investor of Quanjian was arrested for illegal MLM, thus terminated the contract. The team moved to Shanghai on 7 February for final preparations before the new season.
Yifang announced the joining of 5 players on 13 February. Wanda Group had had a long negotiation with S.S.C. Napoli on Marek Hamšík, and finally reached agreement on 14 February for a reported €15M transfer fee. Gaitán decided to leave for MSL club Chicago Fire since the team preferred a winger/striker with more offensive playing style than another midfielder upon the signing of Marek Hamšík. Zheng Long joined on a one-year loan, while Alex Akande was signed as soon as Yanbian FC claimed their bankruptcy by the end of the transfer window.
Wang Xianjun was absent from the list. As later reported, the talented defender did not sign contract and demanded transfer. Yifang eventually decided to put him back to the reserve squad.

### March

The first match in the 2019 season was a mere draw against Henan Jianye, as Yang Shanping was sent off in just 37 minutes, and Carrasco claimed the team's first goal this season, as he did last year, to save the team in additional times. Qin Sheng committed a foul and accidentally fell on Henan player Henrique Dourado, to broke Dourado's right tibia. All new players except Zheng Long had their debut match. Yifang had another draw with Guangzhou R&F. Carrasco extended his scoring sheet with a penalty and a reflection shot, while Zheng Long scored his first goal 1 minutes after he was substituted in.
First home match was a one-goal defeat. Hamšík met with former teammate Paolo Cannavaro, who currently sided with his brother Fabio as Guangzhou's coaching staff.

### April

Yifang started April with another defeat. Mushekwi's equalizer could not bring a victory, as the goalkeeper bumped into Zhao Mingjian's back clumsily, giving Johnathan a wide open goal. Hamšík's playing style was surrounded by controversy. He lacked dribbling and sprinting, which led to easy interceptions, and his long passes lost accuracy in this match. He was frequently compared to Nico Gaitán, whose impressive dribbling tricks made many contributions on both ends.
Yifang claimed the first victory on 15 April by overcoming great difficulties in Shandong. Mushekwi won a header. To fulfill the U23 policy, Yang Fangzhi came on at 90 minute, and went back to the bench in just 1 minute for He Yupeng. Li Shuai was sent off as he pushed opponent player in the face during a conflict. Yifang addressed him with a ¥500k fine, and sent him to the reserve team. He received an additional 6-match suspension.
Carrasco scored another reflection shot against Chongqing, but the home win slipped away as Zhao Mingjian committed a handball for a penalty. For the April 28 match with Beijing Guoan, Hamšík and Carrasco were both unfit for the game. Yifang's conservative 5-defender formation was unable to hold against the opponent, while Boateng had his first goal in a corner kick.
Noticeably, on 29 April, Wanda Group chairman Wang Jianlin officially announced the takeover of Dalian Yifang during the groundbreaking ceremony of Dalian Youth Football Training Base, a joint youth training program between Wanda Group and the government of Dalian, that the team would use neutral team name (without sponsors or owner names) in the future, as the CFA had requested.

### May

Yifang saw the first home win in the FA cup against Shaanxi, with Zhu Ting scoring the only goal in his 100th appearance for the team, to advance into the 5th round. They would face Shanghai Jiading Chengfa, the only amateur team left in the cup.
Yifang gladly took 1 points away from Jiangsu Suning. Yu Ziqian entered the starting lineup as Zhang Chong had waist injury. Since his last appearance for Dalian Aerbin against Liaoning Whowin in the 2012 season, he had been absence in the Super League for 7 seasons. He was excluded from the first team at the time because of his frequent confusing blunders.
In the 11 May match, the team lost to contestant Wuhan Zall, sliding deeper into the relegation area. Shan Pengfei had a large wound on his left eyebrow when going up for a header. He received on-pitch suture with staples, and finished the 1st half.
On 19 May, Yifang overpowered Shenzhen and former manager Juan Caro. Li Jianbin was sent off at the end of 1st half. Hamšík was kicked in the face by Wang Dalong to earn a penalty, to give Carrasco his 7th goal. He Yupeng surprisingly scored Mushekwi's cross as soon as he came on the pitch at 90 minute, then immediately went off for Yang Fangzhi.
Noticeably, the club changed its registration name to "Dalian Professional Football Club" (Chinese: 大连人职业足球俱乐部) on 23 May, and the team name would be changed in the 2020 season.
A 1–0 home victory finally came on 26 May. Carrasco's corner found Hamšík for his first goal in China. He Yupeng missed a scoring chance similar to the previous game in the last few minutes. Zhao Xuebin scored twice to push Yifang further in the FA Cup. Yang Lei had his first appearance in the first team.

### June

June started with another defeat, with Carrasco absence for 4 yellow cards. Li Jianbin's easy marking and a misjudged interception gave 2 goals away. Mushekwi scored Hamšík's corner in the 2nd half.
Carrasco did not return to the match against Hebei CFFC due to flight delay, and Yifang lost by 1 goal. Mushekwi received a red card for pushing Zhang Chengdong in the face, and he missed several matches for the 2019 AFCON cup as planned. Huang Jiahui had his debut match.
On 18 June, Rafael Benítez was connected with Yifang with a £12m salary offered.
On 23 June, Yifang drew with Tianjin Tianhai. Hamšík was selected captain. Boateng scored two goals for Yifang including a penalty, and later conceded an own goal. Li Shuai returned from suspension.
After three rounds without victory, Yifang defeated Beijing Renhe on 29 June. Carrasco returned to the squad and scored a penalty. Hamšík showed controlling performance since last match, and forced Chen Jie to score an own goal. Boateng scored a gift goal from Zhang Lie. He and Zheng Long both scored off-side goals later.
As the league reached halfway, Yifang ranked 10th (4 wins 5 draws 6 losses, GA:GF 19:22) at 17 points, much better than 2018 season (15th, 2W 4D 9L, 12:31, 10 points). Moreover, until the 15th round in the previous season, Yifang won only one point from away matches. In this season, on the contrary, they acquired 12 away points out of the total 15.

#### Carrasco issue

In the preseason training, Carrasco wanted a proof to transfer back to Europe in winter transfer after the 2019 season, while the team showed negotiable attitude. He publicly announced to stay with the team in the 2019 season.
He was put on the bench during the match against Beijing Guoan on 28 April due to a claimed influenza. As reported, he expressed reluctance to play as substitute, and contradicted the manager before the match. He made apologies consequently.
Until the end of May, Carrasco was the top goal scorer in quad, claiming 7 goals out of the total 13. He missed the match against Shanghai SIPG due to 4 yellow cards, and flew back to Europe for the June FIFA calendar ahead of time. During the FIFA calendar, Carrasco changed his attitude, showing strong desire to go back to Europe in the summer transfer window, and had transfer rumors with Arsenal. He returned to the team after the following match against Hebei CFFC due to a claimed flight delay.
On 20 June, the whole issue outbroke, as goalkeeper Yu Ziqian publicly criticized on his social media that Carrasco went on a strike during the training session, that he "stood still regardless of anyone", and that he "skipped the previous two matches on purpose". The team decided to suspend Carrasco from matches and training, unless he publicly apologize for the behaviour. No further actions including apologies were taken until the 23 June match, but Carrasco showed dissatisfaction on his social media account. Yifang withdrew the suspension on 25 June, indicating a temporary pause of this issue.
The entire issue seemed to have come to an end since Benítez's arrival, as Carrasco showed quite different competing desire, that "It's the first time I've had a good coach since I was in China".

### July

Yifang made major changes in managerial staff. On 1 July, Yifang announced the resignation of Choi Kang-hee. This also extended an awkward record, that no Korean manager could finish a complete season with teams in Dalian (Park Sung-hwa with Dalian Shide, June 2010 to May 2011; Chang Woe-ryong with Dalian Aerbin, Jan–Apr 2012). One day later, Rafael Benítez was officially appointed as the manager. He said the career in China would be a challenge, and he was impressed by chairman Wang's passion and future plan on football, and made the decision after consulting Juan Caro and Gregorio Manzano. He also restarted his personal blog after a 5-year-hiatus.
On 3 July, Zhou Jun quit his job as the club director, and returned to Shanghai Shenhua. Gao Yan from Wanda Group was selected for the position.
Benítez had his debut win against Henan Jianye. Boateng scored twice again. He and Carrasco continued to extend their scoring sheet to win 3 points from Guangzhou R&F. Zhou Ting had his 400th top-tier league appearance in the match against Guangzhou Evergrande.
Yifang announced the departure of Mushekwi on 15 July. Local fans gathered at the airport to say goodbye. 4 days later, Salomón Rondón officially signed with the ream.
Carrasco scored a corner directly against Tianjin TEDA. Rondón scored on his first possession, disallowed as offside by VAR. He claimed his debut goal later, to bring one point for the team. Boateng claimed his hat-trick in the FA Cup against Tianjin Tianhai.
As the CSL summer window reached its closing date, Shan Huanhuan and 3 other young players under the Wanda "Star of Hope" project were confirmed to join the squad.

### August

Boateng pulled his muscle, and Rondón's decisive substitution performance won a 3-pointer from Chongqing under hot climate. Sun Bo won a long shot and a red card upon his first starting appearance.
The quick reunion with former coach Choi Kang-hee was not pleasant, as he overpowered his former team by two easy counter-attack goals from El Shaarawy. Yifang still could not breakthrough their highest record in the FA cup, reaching semi-finals in 2013, 2018 and 2019.

### September

The league would meet a few long pauses to prepare for the 2022 World Cup qualification, and the team's condition was influenced by the extra-long break. Yifang struggled in Wuhan's high humidity and temperature with insufficient fitness, and lost by 1 goal. Li Jianbin earned his second red card for kicking the ball deliberately onto the opponent after the whistle. He would be grounded for 6 matches in total, to miss the rest matches in this season.
Dong Yanfeng claimed his first super league goal against Shenzhen.

### October

Li Shuai had his first national team appearance against Guam on 10 October.
On 25 October, it was announced that Dalian Yifang Women's Football Club (Dalian Yifang W.F.C., official name currently vacant), based on Dalian Under-18 women's football team, was established to meet the CFA's entry standard in 2020, and would compete in the 2019 Chinese Women's League Two, the third-tier league. Fan Yiying stepped up as the manager. On 10 November 2019, Yifang W.F.C. won by 1–0 against Donghua University in the play-off, ranked by 5th, and gained promotion into the Chinese Women's Football League.

### November

Zhou Ting broke the record of the oldest appearing player at 40 years and 291 days against Hebei CFFC, which had previous been held by Rolando Schiavi (40 years 285 days) since 2013.

### December

Zhao Xuebin won the reserve league top goalscorer by 19 goals.

### Summary

Throughout the 2019 season, Yifang won three more points than last year, and ensured safety from relegation much earlier. The team had overall equalized performance in home and away matches, band ut with Choi, Yifang acquired three away wins out the total of four at the time.
Choi Kang-hee made multiple adjustments at the beginning of the season, mainly the midfielders. He often used Carrasco as a roaming attacker, not restrained to his familiar left winger position, and spent quite some time to adjust Hamšík's role.
Benítez was aggressive at first, and he soon brought in his 5-4-1 formation, aiming to improve the defense. He moved Sun Guowen backwards as the right full back, who mostly played as a winger, and put the right back Dong Yanfeng in the CB position. With each coach, the team received four red cards respectively, being the team with the most red cards this season, as major defenders were slower at sprinting speed, and sometimes used rude fouls to stop opponent players.

## Squad
### First team squad

    As of 1 March 2019.
| No. | Name | Place of Birth | Date of Birth (Age) | Joined | From | Ends |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||
| 1 | Zhang Chong | Dalian | (1987-11-25)25 November 1987 (aged 31) | 2013 | Dalian Shide | Dec 2021 |
| 19 | Yu Ziqian | Dalian | (1985-06-03)3 June 1985 (aged 33) | 2015 | Qingdao Hainiu | Dec 2019 |
| 23 | Chen Junlin | Beihai | (1993-05-05)5 May 1993 (aged 25) | 2014 | Dalian Yifang youth | Dec 2021 |
| 32 | Li Xuebo | Dalian | (1999-11-15)15 November 1999 (aged 19) | 2019 | Atlético Madrid B | |
| Defenders ||||||||
| 2 | Zhao Mingjian | Dalian | (1987-11-22)22 November 1987 (aged 31) | 2019 | Hebei China Fortune | Dec 2021 |
| 3 | Shan Pengfei | Dalian | (1993-05-07)7 May 1993 (aged 25) | 2012 | Dalian Yifang youth | Feb 2020 |
| 4 | Li Shuai | Shenyang | (1995-06-18)18 June 1995 (aged 23) | 2016 | Mafra | Dec 2023 |
| 8 | Zhu Ting | Dalian | (1985-07-15)15 July 1985 (aged 33) | 2015 | Wuhan Zall | Dec 2020 |
| 12 | Zhou Ting | Dalian | (1979-02-05)5 February 1979 (aged 40) | 2017 | Beijing Guoan | Dec 2019 |
| 13 | Wang Yaopeng | Dalian | (1995-01-18)18 January 1995 (aged 24) | 2014 | Liaoning youth | Dec 2021 |
| 18 | He Yupeng | Anshan | (1999-12-05)5 December 1999 (aged 19) | 2019 | Dalian Yifang youth | Dec 2023 |
| 22 | Dong Yanfeng | Dalian | (1996-02-11)11 February 1996 (aged 23) | 2016 | Liaoning youth | Dec 2021 |
| 25 | Li Jianbin | Binzhou | (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 29) | 2019 | Shanghai Shenhua | Dec 2020 |
| 35 | Yang Shanping | Dalian | (1987-10-28)28 October 1987 (aged 31) | 2018 | Tianjin Quanjian | Dec 2021 |
| 36 | Zhou Xiao | Nanchong | (1999-05-17)17 May 1999 (aged 19) | 2019 | Atlético Astorga | |
| Midfielders ||||||||
| 6 | Zhu Xiaogang | Dalian | (1987-10-06)6 October 1987 (aged 31) | 2010 | Chengdu Blades | Dec 2019 |
| 7 | Zhao Xuri | Dalian | (1985-12-03)3 December 1985 (aged 33) | 2019 | Tianjin Quanjian | Dec 2021 |
| 10 | Yannick Carrasco | Vilvoorde | (1993-09-04)4 September 1993 (aged 25) | 2018 | Atlético Madrid | Dec 2022 |
| 11 | Sun Guowen | Dalian | (1993-09-30)30 September 1993 (aged 25) | 2013 | Dalian Shide | Dec 2021 |
| 14 | Huang Jiahui | Bozhou | (2000-10-07)7 October 2000 (aged 18) | 2019 | Dalian Yifang youth | Dec 2023 |
| 16 | Qin Sheng | Dalian | (1986-11-02)2 November 1986 (aged 32) | 2018 | Shanghai Shenhua | Dec 2020 |
| 17 | Marek Hamšík | Banská Bystrica | (1987-07-27)27 July 1987 (aged 31) | 2019 | Napoli | Dec 2021 |
| 20 | Wang Jinxian | Wuhan | (1996-01-12)12 January 1996 (aged 23) | 2014 | Dalian Yifang youth | Dec 2021 |
| 24 | Yang Lei | Handan | (2000-02-22)22 February 2000 (aged 19) | 2019 | Dalian Yifang youth | Dec 2023 |
| 26 | Cui Ming'an | Dalian | (1994-11-15)15 November 1994 (aged 24) | 2014 | Dalian Yifang youth | Dec 2019 |
| 27 | Cheng Hui | Dalian | (1997-08-02)2 August 1997 (aged 21) | 2019 | Lleida Esportiu B | |
| 29 | Sun Bo | Dalian | (1991-01-22)22 January 1991 (aged 28) | 2011 | Shandong Luneng youth | Dec 2019 |
| 31 | Zheng Long | Qingdao | (1988-04-15)15 April 1988 (aged 30) | 2019 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Dec 2019 |
| Forwards ||||||||
| 9 | Salomón Rondón | Caracas | (1989-09-16)16 September 1989 (aged 29) | 2019 | West Bromwich Albion | Dec 2022 |
| 15 | Shan Huanhuan | Pingdingshan | (1999-01-24)24 January 1999 (aged 20) | 2019 | Vitória Guimarães B | |
| 21 | Emmanuel Boateng | Accra | (1996-05-23)23 May 1996 (aged 22) | 2019 | Levante | Dec 2022 |
| Moved to Reserve squad during the season ||||||||
| 5 | Alex Akande | Lagos | (1989-02-28)28 February 1989 (aged 30) | 2019 | Yanbian | Dec 2021 |
| 28 | Zhang Hui | Dalian | (1997-02-18)18 February 1997 (aged 22) | 2015 | Dalian Yifang youth | Dec 2020 |
| 33 | Zhao Xuebin | Dalian | (1993-01-12)12 January 1993 (aged 26) | 2013 | Dalian Shide | Dec 2020 |
| 38 | Yang Fangzhi | Dalian | (1997-04-09)9 April 1997 (aged 21) | 2018 | Dalian Yifang youth | Dec 2019 |

#### Left during the season

| No. | Name | Nat. | Place of Birth | Date of Birth (Age) | Joined | From | Ends |
| 30 | Nyasha Mushekwi | | Harare | (1987-08-21)21 August 1987 (aged 31) | 2015 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Dec 2020 |

### Reserve squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 5 | FW | HKG | Alex Akande |
| 28 | FW | CHN | Zhang Hui |
| 33 | FW | CHN | Zhao Xuebin |
| 38 | FW | CHN | Yang Fangzhi |
| 41 | MF | CHN | Li Qinghao |
| 42 | GK | CHN | Gao Tian |
| 43 | DF | CHN | Bi Guangfu |
| 44 | MF | CHN | Zhang Yuhao |
| 45 | DF | CHN | Yang Pengju |
| 46 | MF | CHN | Zhang Jun |
| 47 | MF | CHN | Yu Zhen |
| 48 | MF | CHN | Xie Hui |
| 48 | MF | CHN | Pang Chuntao |
| 50 | MF | CHN | Liu Zhipeng |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 51 | DF | CHN | Rong Linchao |
| 52 | FW | CHN | Han Guangxu |
| 53 | DF | CHN | Luo Hongshi |
| 54 | MF | CHN | Zhu Hui |
| 55 | GK | CHN | Wang Kailong |
| 56 | MF | CHN | Cheng Xianfeng |
| 57 | MF | CHN | Bai Yaoxu |
| 58 | FW | CHN | Aximu Aini |
| 59 | MF | CHN | Yi Tianyu |
| 60 | DF | CHN | Yang Zexiang |

### Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | DF | CHN | Yin Jiahao (at Shenzhen Pengcheng until 31 December 2019) |
| — | DF | CHN | Zheng Jianfeng (at Dalian Chanjoy until 31 December 2019) |
| — | DF | CHN | Wang Liang (at Dalian Chanjoy until 31 December 2019) |
| — | MF | CHN | Gao Mingxin (at Dalian Chanjoy until 31 December 2019) |
| — | MF | CHN | Li Yuqiu (at Yinchuan Helanshan until 31 December 2019) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | MF | CHN | Han Peijiang (at Dalian Chanjoy until 31 December 2019) |
| — | MF | CHN | Ren Jiawei (at Dalian Chanjoy until 31 December 2019) |
| — | MF | CHN | Liu Yingchen (at Shanghai Shenxin until 31 December 2019) |
| — | MF | CHN | Yuan Hao (at Shanghai Shenxin until 31 December 2019) |

## Coaching staff

    As of 7 July 2019.
| Position | Until 1 July | Since Benítez's arrival |
| Head coach | Choi Kang-hee | Rafael Benítez |
| Assistant coach | Park Kun-ha | Francisco "Paco" de Míguel Moreno |
| Assistant coach | Tang Tian | Francisco "Paco" de Míguel Moreno |
| Fitness coach | Irwing Freitas | Francisco "Paco" de Míguel Moreno |
| First team coach | Kim Hyun-min | Mikel Antía |
| First team coach | Choi Sung-yong | Antonio Gómez Pérez |
| First team coach | Jung Jae-sun | Darko Matić |
| Goalkeeping coach | Choi Eun-sung | Joaquín Enrique Valerio |
| Team Doctor | Antonio Turmo Garuz | Antonio Turmo Garuz |
| Team Doctor | Jan Jungwirth | Jan Jungwirth |
| Team Doctor | Cesar | Cesar |
| Physiotherapist | Javier Sagaste | Javier Sagaste |
| Reserve coach | Li Guoxu | David Rivas Martínez |
| U-19 coach | Shi Lei | Lü Gang |
| U-17 coach | Li Huayun | Li Huayun |
| U-15 coach | Yang Xianmin | Yang Xianmin |
| U-13 coach | Liu Yujian | Liu Yujian |

## Transfers
### Winter
#### In

| No. | Pos. | Name | Age | Moving from | Type | Transfer fee | Date |
| — | DF | Wang Wanpeng | 37 | Dalian Transcendence | Loan return | — | 31 December 2018 |
| — | DF | Fu Yuncheng | 26 | Dalian Chanjoy | Loan return | — | 31 December 2018 |
| — | MF | Duan Yunzi | 22 | Sichuan Longfor | Loan return | — | 31 December 2018 |
| 16 | MF | Qin Sheng | 33 | Shanghai Shenhua | Transfer | Undisclosed | 13 February 2019 |
| 31 | DF | Yang Shanping | 31 | Tianjin Quanjian | Transfer | €1.31M | 13 February 2019 |
| 7 | MF | Zhao Xuri | 33 | Tianjin Quanjian | Transfer | €2.62M | 13 February 2019 |
| 2 | DF | Zhao Mingjian | 31 | Hebei China Fortune | Transfer | €1.31M | 13 February 2019 |
| 25 | DF | Li Jianbin | 29 | Shanghai Shenhua | Transfer | Undisclosed | 13 February 2019 |
| 17 | MF | Marek Hamšík | 31 | S.S.C. Napoli | Transfer | €20M | 14 February 2019 |
| 21 | FW | Emmanuel Boateng | 22 | Levante UD | Transfer | €5M | 20 February 2019 |
| — | DF | Yang Zexiang | 25 | Dalian Transcendence | Transfer | Free | 25 February 2019 |
| 31 | MF | Zheng Long | 30 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Loan | Undisclosed | 26 February 2019 |
| 5 | MF | Alex Akande | 30 | Yanbian | Transfer | Free | 28 February 2019 |

#### Out

| No. | Pos. | Name | Age | Moving to | Type | Transfer fee | Date |
| 16 | MF | Qin Sheng | 33 | Shanghai Shenhua | End of loan | — | 31 December 2018 |
| 25 | DF | Jin Pengxiang | 29 | Beijing Guoan | End of loan | — | 31 December 2018 |
| 31 | DF | Yang Shanping | 31 | Tianjin Quanjian | End of loan | — | 31 December 2018 |
| — | DF | Wang Wanpeng | 37 | Yinchuan Helanshan | Transfer | Free | 31 January 2019 |
| 36 | MF | Dong Honglin | 23 | Chongqing Dangdai | Transfer | Free | 1 February 2019 |
| 15 | MF | Jin Qiang | 26 | Shenzhen F.C. | Transfer | €1.97M | 14 February 2019 |
| 68 | DF | Pei Zhanpeng | 20 | Suzhou Dongwu | Transfer | Undisclosed | 20 February 2019 |
| 14 | DF | Yan Peng | 23 | Shenzhen Pengcheng | Transfer | Free | 26 February 2019 |
| 21 | DF | Liu Yingchen | 26 | Shanghai Shenxin | Loan | — | 26 February 2019 |
| 44 | MF | Yuan Hao | 22 | Shanghai Shenxin | Loan | — | 26 February 2019 |
| 53 | DF | Yin Jiahao | 19 | Shenzhen Pengcheng | Loan | — | 26 February 2019 |
| — | DF | Fu Yuncheng | 21 | Guangzhou R&F | Transfer | Free | 27 February 2019 |
| 27 | DF | Zheng Jianfeng | 29 | Dalian Chanjoy | Loan | — | 27 February 2019 |
| 48 | MF | Gao Mingxin | 19 | Dalian Chanjoy | Loan | — | 27 February 2019 |
| 58 | MF | Han Peijiang | 20 | Dalian Chanjoy | Loan | — | 27 February 2019 |
| — | MF | Ren Jiawei | 19 | Dalian Chanjoy | Loan | — | 27 February 2019 |
| — | MF | Duan Yunzi | 22 | Sichuan Longfor | Loan | — | 27 February 2019 |
| 7 | DF | Wang Liang | 30 | Dalian Chanjoy | Loan | — | 28 February 2019 |
| 63 | MF | Li Yuqiu | 21 | Yinchuan Helanshan | Loan | — | 28 February 2019 |
| 9 | MF | Nicolás Gaitán | 31 | Chicago Fire | Released | Free | 15 March 2019 |
| 28 | FW | Duvier Riascos | 31 | Universidad Católica | Transfer | Undisclosed | 28 February 2019 |

### Summer
#### In

| No. | Pos. | Name | Age | Moving from | Type | Transfer fee | Date | Notes |
| 9 | FW | Salomón Rondón | 29 | West Bromwich Albion | Transfer | €18.27M | 19 July 2019 | |
| – | MF | Hu Jiali | 20 | Shanghai Shenhua | Transfer | €2.61M | 26 July 2019 | |
| 15 | FW | Shan Huanhuan | 20 | Vitória Guimarães B | Transfer | Undisclosed | 29 July 2019 | |
| 27 | MF | Cheng Hui | 21 | Lleida Esportiu B | Transfer | Undisclosed | 29 July 2019 | |
| 32 | GK | Li Xuebo | 20 | Atlético Madrid B | Transfer | Undisclosed | 29 July 2019 | |
| 36 | DF | Zhou Xiao | 20 | Atlético Astorga | Transfer | Undisclosed | 29 July 2019 | |
| 31 | MF | Zheng Long | 31 | Guangzhou Evergrande | Transfer | €2.61M | 30 July 2019 | Loan-to-buy |

#### Out

| No. | Pos. | Name | Age | Moving to | Type | Transfer fee | Date | Notes | Ref. |
| 30 | FW | Nyasha Mushekwi | 31 | Zhejiang Greentown | Transfer | Free | 15 July 2019 | | |
| 31 | MF | Zheng Long | 31 | Guangzhou Evergrande | End of loan | €2.61M | 30 July 2019 | | |

## Chinese Super League
### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 1 | Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao (C) | 30 | 23 | 3 | 4 | 68 | 24 | +44 | 72 | Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage |
| 2 | Beijing Sinobo Guoan | 30 | 23 | 1 | 6 | 60 | 26 | +34 | 70 | Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage |
| 3 | Shanghai SIPG | 30 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 62 | 26 | +36 | 66 | Qualification for AFC Champions League play-off round |
| 4 | Jiangsu Suning | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 60 | 41 | +19 | 53 | |
| 5 | Shandong Luneng Taishan | 30 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 55 | 35 | +20 | 51 | |
| 6 | Wuhan Zall | 30 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 41 | 41 | 0 | 44 | |
| 7 | Tianjin TEDA | 30 | 12 | 5 | 13 | 43 | 45 | −2 | 41 | |
| 8 | Henan Jianye | 30 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 41 | 46 | −5 | 41 | |
| 9 | Dalian Yifang | 30 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 44 | 51 | −7 | 38 | |
| 10 | Chongqing Dangdai Lifan | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 36 | 47 | −11 | 36 | |
| 11 | Hebei China Fortune | 30 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 37 | 55 | −18 | 33 | |
| 12 | Guangzhou R&F | 30 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 54 | 72 | −18 | 32 | |
| 13 | Shanghai Greenland Shenhua | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 43 | 57 | −14 | 30 | Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage |
| 14 | Tianjin Tianhai (D) | 30 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 40 | 53 | −13 | 25 | Dissolved at May 2020 after season 2019 |
| 15 | Shenzhen F.C. | 30 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 31 | 57 | −26 | 21 | |
| 16 | Beijing Renhe (R) | 30 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 26 | 65 | −39 | 14 | Relegation to China League One |
* During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
* After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Scores of the weight ratio of the reserve league and youth leagues. (C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (R) Relegated Notes:
* 1 2 Head-to-head results: Henan Jianye 2–3 Tianjin TEDA, Tianjin TEDA 2–0 Henan Jianye.
* ↑ Shanghai Greenland Shenhua qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage as Chinese FA Cup winners.

### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 1 December 2019. Source:

### Position by round

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| Ground | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H |
| Result | D | D | L | L | W | D | L | D | L | W | W | L | L | D | W | W | W | L | D | W | W | D | L | L | W | L | L | D | L | W |
| Position | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 |

### League fixtures and results

Fixtures as of February 2019.

## Squad statistics
### Appearances and goals

| No. | Pos. | Player | Nat. | Age | Super League | Super League | Super League | FA Cup | FA Cup | FA Cup | Total | Total | Total |
| No. | Pos. | Player | Nat. | Age | App. | Starts | Goals | App. | Starts | Goals | App. | Starts | Goals |
| 1 | GK | Zhang Chong | | 31 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Zhao Mingjian | | 31 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | Shan Pengfei | | 25 | 17 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 19 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | Li Shuai | | 23 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 5 | FW | Alex Akande | | 30 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | Zhu Xiaogang | | 31 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 24 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | Zhao Xuri | | 33 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 9 | 0 |
| 8 | DF | Zhu Ting | | 33 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 10 | 1 |
| 9 | FW | Salomón Rondón | | 29 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 8 | 5 |
| 10 | MF | Yannick Carrasco | | 25 | 25 | 24 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 25 | 17 |
| 11 | MF | Sun Guowen | | 25 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 0 |
| 12 | DF | Zhou Ting | | 40 | 18 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 19 | 0 |
| 13 | DF | Wang Yaopeng | | 24 | 18 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 19 | 1 |
| 14 | DF | Huang Jiahui | | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | FW | Shan Huanhuan | | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | Qin Sheng | | 32 | 21 | 21 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 24 | 1 |
| 17 | MF | Marek Hamšík | | 31 | 28 | 28 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 30 | 3 |
| 18 | DF | He Yupeng | | 20 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 1 |
| 19 | GK | Yu Ziqian | | 33 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | Wang Jinxian | | 23 | 28 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 23 | 0 |
| 21 | FW | Emmanuel Boateng | | 22 | 21 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 22 | 17 | 11 |
| 22 | DF | Dong Yanfeng | | 23 | 15 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 10 | 1 |
| 23 | GK | Chen Junlin | | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | MF | Yang Lei | | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | Li Jianbin | | 29 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 18 | 1 |
| 26 | MF | Cui Ming'an | | 24 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| 27 | MF | Cheng Hui | | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | FW | Zhang Hui | | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | MF | Sun Bo | | 28 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| 30 | FW | Nyasha Mushekwi | | 31 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 3 |
| 31 | MF | Zheng Long | | 30 | 19 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 11 | 3 |
| 32 | GK | Li Xuebo | | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | FW | Zhao Xuebin | | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 35 | DF | Yang Shanping | | 31 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 36 | DF | Zhou Xiao | | 20 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 38 | FW | Yang Fangzhi | | 21 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | 44 | | | 9 | | | 53 |

### Goalscorers

| Rank | Player | Goals (Penalties) | Goals (Penalties) | Total |
| Rank | Player | Super League | FA Cup | Total |
| 1 | Yannick Carrasco | 17(7) | 0 | 17 |
| 2 | Emmanuel Boateng | 8(1) | 3(1) | 11 |
| 3 | Salomón Rondón | 5(1) | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | Marek Hamšík | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | Nyasha Mushekwi | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Zheng Long | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | Sun Bo | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 7 | Zhao Xuebin | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 9 | Dong Yanfeng | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | He Yupeng | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Li Jianbin | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Qin Sheng | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Wang Yaopeng | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Zhou Xiao | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Zhu Ting | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| TOTALS | TOTALS | 44 | 9 | 53 |

### Disciplinary record

| No. | Pos. | Player | Super League | Super League | Super League | FA Cup | FA Cup | FA Cup | Total | Total | Total |
| 1 | GK | Zhang Chong | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Zhao Mingjian | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | Shan Pengfei | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | Li Shuai | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | FW | Alex Akande | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | Zhu Xiaogang | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | Zhao Xuri | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | DF | Zhu Ting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | Salomón Rondón | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | Yannick Carrasco | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | Sun Guowen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | DF | Zhou Ting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | DF | Wang Yaopeng | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | Huang Jiahui | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | FW | Shan Huanhuan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | Qin Sheng | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| 17 | MF | Marek Hamšík | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | DF | He Yupeng | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | GK | Yu Ziqian | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | Wang Jinxian | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | FW | Emmanuel Boateng | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | DF | Dong Yanfeng | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | GK | Chen Junlin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | MF | Yang Lei | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | Li Jianbin | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 26 | MF | Cui Ming'an | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 27 | MF | Cheng Hui | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | FW | Zhang Hui | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | MF | Sun Bo | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 30 | FW | Nyasha Mushekwi | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 31 | MF | Zheng Long | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | GK | Li Xuebo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | FW | Zhao Xuebin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | DF | Yang Shanping | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 36 | DF | Zhou Xiao | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 38 | FW | Yang Fangzhi | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | 56 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 3 | 5 |

### Suspensions

| Player | No. of matches served | Reason | Date(s) served | Opponent |
| Yang Shanping | 1 | Red Card vs. Henan Jianye | 9 Mar. | Guangzhou R&F |
| Li Shuai | 1 | Red Card vs. Shandong Luneng | 21 Apr. | Chongqing Dangdai |
| Li Shuai | 6 | Pushing opponent player in the face | 28 Apr.–2 Jun. | – |
| Li Jianbin | 1 | Red Card vs. Shenzhen FC | 26 May | Shanghai Shenhua |
| Qin Sheng | 1 | 4 Yellow Cards accumulated | 26 May | Shanghai Shenhua |
| Yannick Carrasco | 1 | 4 Yellow Cards accumulated | 2 Jun. | Shanghai SIPG |
| Nyasha Mushekwi | 1 | Red Card vs Hebei China Fortune | 23 Jun. | Tianjin Tianhai |
| Qin Sheng | 1 | Red Card vs. Tianjin TEDA | 27 Jul. | Shandong Luneng |
| Qin Sheng | 1 | 4 Yellow Cards accumulated | 9 Aug. | Jiangsu Suning |
| Li Jianbin | 1 | 4 Yellow Cards accumulated | 15 Aug. | Beijing Guoan |
| Sun Bo | 1 | Red Card vs. Jiangsu Suning | 15 Aug. | Beijing Guoan |
| Zhu Xiaogang | 1 | 4 Yellow Cards accumulated | 21 Sep. | Shenzhen FC |
| Li Jianbin | 1 | Red Card vs. Wuhan Zall | 21 Sep. | Shenzhen FC |
| Li Jianbin | 1 | 2 Red Cards accumulated | 20 Oct. | Shanghai Shenhua |
| Li Jianbin | 4 | Kicking the ball onto opponent player with excessive force | 27 Oct.–1 Dec. | – |
| Yannick Carrasco | 1 | 4 Yellow Cards accumulated | 27 Oct. | Shanghai SIPG |
| Cui Ming'an | 1 | Red Card vs. Tianjin Tianhai | 1 Dec. | Beijing Renhe |