Mid-Season Best in Chinese Super League: Hu Hetao and Li Hao Lead the U23 Talents

Reporter Lu Mi reports The 2026 CSL season is now at its halfway mark, and a cohort of U23 players have impressed, with several already earning spots in the national team and others still seeking opportunities.

Chengdu Rongcheng secured the mid-season championship, and Hu Hetao, the starting left-back who first appeared in the CSL in 2022, has delivered outstanding performances. Thanks to his steady displays, he has become a key component of the team's title pursuit. In the first half of the season, he made 15 appearances, all as a starter, logging 1,323 minutes of playing time. He even played through injuries, demonstrating excellent stamina and resilience under pressure.

On the offensive end, Hu Hetao contributed one goal, and during a match against Wuhan Three Towns, he sprinted forward to win a penalty. He frequently used his flank speed to disrupt opposing defenses. His overall pass completion rate reached 88.6%, with reliable distribution from the back, making him an important link in the team's attack-to-defense transitions on the wing. Defensively, he was even more impressive, recording 29 tackles, 19 interceptions, and 38 clearances in the first half. His positioning was precise, his challenges were aggressive yet clean, and he received only two yellow cards, showcasing remarkable defensive stability.

As a U23 player born after 2003, Hu Hetao fits well into the team's tactical system on the flanks. He is solid both offensively and defensively, works tirelessly, and perfectly supports Chengdu's left-side attacking and defensive framework. His only shortcomings are his cross accuracy and assist efficiency, which need improvement. Currently, he is a regular for the U23 national team and, thanks to his strong CSL performances, has also earned call-ups to the senior national team in recent years. He missed the latest training camp due to injury, and head coach Shao Jiayi has communicated with him about it.

In the first half of the season, West Coast goalkeeper Li Hao missed only the 3rd and 4th rounds. He started 13 matches in total, playing 1,170 minutes. So far, he has made 45 saves with a save success rate of 51.1%, averaging over three saves per game. He kept two clean sheets and conceded an average of 1.53 goals per match.

Li Hao excels in positioning and reflexes, with a 75% success rate on coming off his line. His ball-playing ability has steadily improved, with a pass completion rate of 47.8%, allowing him to reliably link up from the back. After recovering from injury, he quickly reclaimed his starting spot and performed steadily in several tough matches, helping stabilize the team's defense. Thanks to his impressive form, he earned his first call-up to the national team, making him the standout young goalkeeper of this CSL season. Acting coach Huang Bowen believes his selection to the national team is well-deserved.

Yang Xi was the biggest domestic signing of the winter transfer window. At Shanghai Port, he has secured the starting right-back position. In the first half of the season, he made 15 appearances, all as a starter, for a total of 1,329 minutes. He excelled in both attack and defense, contributing two goals and one assist, averaging 0.73 shots per game, 3.13 crosses, 15 key passes, a pass completion rate of 75.1%, and 36 successful dribbles. Defensively, he was tenacious, recording 51 tackles, 21 interceptions (third in the CSL), and 24 clearances, with exceptional ability to cover ground. Additionally, over 15 rounds, he received only two yellow cards and made no fatal errors. He stood out in tough matches against Shandong Taishan and Beijing Guoan, earning high ratings multiple times. Currently, Yang Xi is already at an elite level among domestic full-backs. He has been consistently selected for national team training camps and may pursue another overseas stint in the future.

In the first half of the season, 19-year-old Wang Yudong made 15 appearances, starting 14 of them, for a total of 1,117 minutes, averaging 80.4 minutes per game. He was efficient in attack, contributing five goals and three assists, making him the team's top scorer and ranking third on the domestic scoring list, behind Zhang Yuning and Wei Shihao. Over 15 matches, he attempted 39 shots, with 15 on target, a shot accuracy of 38.5%, highlighting his finishing ability among domestic players. He completed an average of 26.3 passes per game, with eight key passes across the season, and a pass completion rate of 76.3%. His wing breakthroughs and close-range finishing are notable skills. Defensively, he also showed a positive attitude, averaging 0.5 tackles and 0.4 interceptions per game. In 15 matches, Wang Yudong received only one yellow card, indicating clean play. He has frequently been promoted to various national youth teams and is now a regular with the senior national team.

He Yiran joined Chengdu Rongcheng in 2026 and has developed rapidly, becoming a key rotation player on the right flank and gaining plenty of experience. In the first half of the season, he made 15 appearances, starting 10 of them, for a total of 982 minutes.

Technically, He Yiran has a solid passing foundation, once achieving an 83% pass completion rate in a single match. His long-range distribution is accurate, and he possesses decent ability to build play from the back. Defensively, he is aggressive, contributing 30 clearances, 21 tackles, and 12 interceptions. He performs steadily against strong opponents, showing focused and committed defending. However, he sometimes struggles with transition play, his forward runs lack aggression, and his dribbling progression and chance-creating ability need refinement. Overall, He Yiran can reliably fulfill his defensive duties. With more experience and improved initiative in both attack and defense, he could secure a starting spot in the second half of the season.

Wumiti Jiang is currently a mainstay in Shanghai Port's defense. In the first half of the season, he made 14 appearances, all as a starter, for 1,233 minutes, making him the U23 player with the highest defensive minutes played for the team, reflecting the coaching staff's trust in him.

Defensively, Wumiti Jiang's numbers are impressive: he recorded 74 clearances and 12 interceptions, with outstanding aerial duels and positioning. He made several crucial blocks and goal-line clearances, and when facing foreign strikers, he held his own in physical battles. Additionally, his ball-playing ability is a strength, averaging 65.7 successful passes per game with a pass completion rate exceeding 92%. His long-range distribution is precise, allowing him to reliably handle defensive build-up and transition duties.

Overall, the 22-year-old Wumiti Jiang possesses the physical attributes, defensive awareness, and passing ability to become an excellent center-back. He has strong mental fortitude and resilience under pressure, making him a key asset in Shanghai Port's defense. As a U23 player, he has been repeatedly called up to national team training camps and is a contender for a future starting center-back role.

In the first 15 rounds of the CSL, Yao Haoyang, a product of Dalian Dongbei Road Primary School, started every match and played every minute, showing composure beyond his age group.

Regarding his goalkeeping technique, Yao Haoyang reacts quickly and makes decisive saves. He repeatedly produced spectacular stops against close-range shots and one-on-one situations, confidently catching and collecting the ball, effectively neutralizing numerous threatening attacks. Through the first 15 rounds, Tongliang Long was once the team with the fewest goals conceded in the CSL, and Yao Haoyang was instrumental. In 15 matches, he kept six clean sheets, made 31 saves, caught 12 high balls, and averaged 1.33 clearances per game. In the match against Shandong Taishan in May, he made several outstanding saves, denying consecutive shots from Crysan and Zeca, achieving a save rate of 79%.

Due to a packed schedule and continuous high-pressure attacks from opponents, he occasionally made positional errors. Additionally, his anticipation when dealing with long-range switches of play still needs improvement.

For Yao Haoyang, who shouldered the responsibility of starting in the China League One at just 18 years old, the experience of being promoted to the CSL twice in three years has forged his strong mental resilience. His training and match attitude are positive, and he has now gained ample experience in the CSL. The outside world is very optimistic about his future.

Jin Yonghao, a product of the Yanbian Football School, spent time abroad in Spain in 2019. He described that experience as teaching him "to play smarter," noting that "the training pace in Spain is fast and intense, forcing you to make quick decisions in a very short time."

In July 2024, Jin Yonghao joined Qingdao Hainiu and made his CSL debut in September of that year, appearing in four matches with two starts. In 2025, he played 14 CSL matches, contributing one goal and one assist—scoring his first CSL goal in Round 8 against Henan. In the first half of the 2026 season, he made 14 appearances, starting 11 of them, for 928 minutes, contributing three goals and one assist. His three goals came against Shandong Taishan, Shanghai Port, and Wuhan Three Towns.

Jin Yonghao has been included in the latest U23 national team roster. Previously, he had only one appearance for the U22 national team, coming off the bench for 15 minutes in a match against Belarus on June 7, 2025.

Standing just 1.68 meters tall, Jin Yonghao is agile with sharp positional sense and a keen nose for goal. He is very hardworking, stating that he adds extra practice after every training session. His goal is to become "the next Zheng Long" and earn a spot in the senior national team.

Liu Haofan made his CSL debut in the 2022 season and has been a locally developed defender that Zhejiang FC has focused on. Last season, he secured a starting role, making 27 appearances, all as a starter. In the first half of this season, he made 11 appearances, all as a starter, for 948 minutes.

Defensively, Liu Haofan excels in aerial duels and goal-line clearances, recording 38 clearances and 11 tackles, showing an aggressive attitude. Over the first 15 rounds, his pass completion rate was 88%. On the offensive end, in a match against Shanghai Shenhua, he delivered a precise assist that helped his team equalize. As a young defender, Liu Haofan has shortcomings, occasionally making defensive errors and showing vulnerabilities during high-intensity battles, which has been one of the reasons for fluctuations in the team's defensive performance in some matches.

Overall, the 22-year-old Liu Haofan has the physical attributes and fighting spirit to become a good defender. He is bold, tenacious, and executes well. Although details need polishing, his potential is evident. He must refine his defensive details and improve his consistency under pressure.

This season, Du Yuezheng returned from his stint abroad in Spain and joined the newly promoted Tongliang Long. With efficient performances, he became an important rotation player in the team's forward line, adapting quickly to Liu Jianye's tactical system. In the first half of the season, he made 12 appearances, starting three of them, for 448 minutes. He attempted nine shots, with four on target, scoring two goals.

Du Yuezheng is technically well-rounded, holds his own in physical battles, and possesses decent back-to-goal play and dribbling ability, along with sharp positioning in the box. In Round 4 against Zhejiang FC, he came off the bench, dribbled past two defenders, and scored the winning goal. In Round 8 against West Coast, he met a corner kick with a near-post header to score, showcasing his ability to perform in crucial moments.

Du Yuezheng is currently a regular for the U23 national team. In March of this year, during a match against Vietnam in Xi'an, he scored a stunning long-range goal that amazed the crowd and left a strong impression.

Du Yuezheng's current issue is limited playing time, averaging only 34 minutes per match—less than half of a game—which leads to inconsistency. Additionally, his finishing and passing decisions still need refinement. Overall, the 20-year-old Du Yuezheng has made significant progress since returning from his overseas stint. He is bold, resilient under pressure, and full of potential. If he improves his consistency, and given Tongliang Long's emphasis on developing young players, he could gain more playing time in the second half of the season and continue to fulfill his talent.