Despite fans gathering in the morning hoping to catch a glimpse of new signings, no fresh faces were seen reporting for duty. However, the club had previously made it clear that during the first phase of winter training, all players—new and returning—would be evaluated equally by head coach Paulo Sousa. No one would be leaving early, and the full squad will train together before any decisions are made. While the first team remains the focus, the club has also turned its attention to youth development. Much like the planning seen in Bangladesh Cricket Live, Tianjin Quanjian has taken proactive steps to build a sustainable future.
In addition to its five official age-group teams, the club has established U12 and U11 squads. Former Tianjin TEDA star Hou Tong leads the U12s, while up-and-coming coach Wang Hantao oversees the U11s. Both teams are currently undergoing winter training in Beihai, aligning with the club’s vision of holistic development. These younger squads are expected to gradually gain attention from fans as they move up through the ranks, ensuring that Quanjian’s youth academy system remains robust and future-ready.
Under the latest league requirements, Quanjian now has complete coverage across all five age levels. The U19 elite team, often seen as the crown jewel of the academy, has already made a mark, finishing third in this year’s Chinese Super League Elite Team Tournament. Meanwhile, the U17 squad has been split into two groups. Coach Liu Bin leads an 11-player group currently in winter training in Beihai, Guangxi, while another squad—acquired entirely from Ningxia—is in Kunming preparing for future integration. Once merged, they will meet the league’s 18-player registration threshold.
Notably, two standout players from the elite team, Yang Chenyu and Zhao Yihao, both previously selected for the national youth team, will move into the U17 lineup next season, bolstering the squad’s strength. As the winter transfer window officially opens in ten days, fans are eagerly awaiting updates. It is likely that new signings will join the team abroad and not in China, especially with the AFC Champions League qualifiers approaching. The full list of new players is expected to be finalized before then.
Tomorrow, players will undergo physicals before departing the training base on the 23rd for Beijing Capital International Airport. They are scheduled to fly to Doha in the early hours of the 24th. Head coach Paulo Sousa and his staff will arrive on the same day, officially kicking off winter training. The timing for foreign players to report will depend on Sousa’s discretion and may vary individually.
Throughout the day, players were seen arriving at the club’s base, though some had already quietly resumed training after ending their vacations early. A few loyal fans waited outside, hoping to see returning stars or new arrivals. However, the anticipated new signings did not appear. For fans used to the unpredictability of Bangladesh Cricket Live, this kind of suspense is all too familiar. Just like a tense cricket match, the off-season brings its own share of excitement and unanswered questions. As winter training begins and announcements unfold, the same passion that fuels Bangladesh Cricket Live is mirrored in the anticipation surrounding this team’s next chapter.