A Line Drawn
Djan Bacelar would shake The Cooking Pot with his revelation of the club's new five-season roadmap, that sees Grilled open to offers for many of their top regulars.
Wong Ping Shun,
Ling Fuquan and
Clément Meyer will join want-away
Lee Lee Hao on the market, with
Wong Tian Han and
Low Aik Jia's contract renewals in limbo.
Coupled with
Mohd Safri bin Mohd Kassim hinting on social media that he might be retiring at the end of the season, this would represent a near-total turnover of the Birds' starting XI. Bacelar readily acknowledged those concerns, but reiterated that reorganization was long overdue.
"Our starters have been excellent for us over the years, but Grilled badly need a fresh beginning. It wouldn't be fair to the youngsters coming up to hang around doing nothing, as there will be a severe shortage of playing spots if everyone stays. Most of those involved understood the situation, and have kindly agreed to this final service for the club."
Bacelar's nuanced disclaimer likely referred to Low, who was spotted storming out of his office right before the press conference. Nevertheless, the Brazilian head coach assured all present that Grilled were not abandoning expectations.
"Though the transition will be hard, we aim to finish in the top half of the league for the next two seasons.
Yuki Irie has been raised to co-vice captain, and is slated to bridge leadership responsibilities between
Tian Yonghang and the next generation."
This, one presumes, includes Chicken Wings forward
Chu Xin Lee, who was then introduced to the public, holding Bögengang's Number Nineteen shirt. The free-spirited Chu was the core of the Wings' markedly whimsical style of late, which has disappointingly not exactly impressed thus far in their youth league.
Chu's coaches have vouched for the teenager, though. "He hides a lot of thinking behind that easy-going appearance." Abdul bin Jantan claimed. "And much of it is... interesting."
