On May 12, the Chinese Super League officially revealed the candidates for the Round 11 Best Player award. Among the elite club nominees are Zhu Chenjie (Shanghai Shenhua), Zhang Yuning (Beijing Guoan), and Cressan (Shandong Taishan). From other clubs, Wei Shihao of league leaders Chengdu Rongcheng earned his third nomination this season, having previously won the weekly best player award twice. Additional nominees include Yang Zhanpeng (Qingdao West Coast), Oscar (Yunnan Yukun), Swedish foreigner Strandberg (Qingdao Hainiu), who has been key to their winning streak, and Mitrice from Zhejiang, who contributed an assist and a goal immediately after returning from injury.
The author, who watched all three top-club matches, shared insights on their performances. During Beijing Guoan’s game, broadcast on CCTV, Zhang Yuning had two well-taken goals controversially disallowed by VAR. The author described the cancellations as “like an artwork suddenly shattered,” noting that if they had stood, they would have been among the season’s finest. He expressed mixed feelings about VAR, acknowledging it reduces errors but criticizing the lengthy checks that disrupt match rhythm. The author lamented the bad luck his club has faced. Meanwhile, defending champions Shanghai Port had no players in the MVP shortlist, now sitting just three points above the relegation zone and suffering from widespread injuries.
Cressan of Shandong Taishan earned another nomination after a brace in Round 11, following a hat-trick in the previous round that secured him the weekly best player honor. His recent social media posts wearing a Chinese national team jersey have intensified speculation about naturalization. If he continues his superb form, a naturalization bid looks increasingly likely.
Zhu Chenjie’s inclusion recognizes his stellar performance against Chongqing Tonglianglong. The center-back was not only a defensive pillar but also scored two goals in the second half—a rare achievement for a defender in a single match. The author noted that rating agencies have also placed him in the best XI for the round, highlighting how uncommon such an attacking contribution from a central defender is.