Hebei Pins High Hopes on Lavezzi Revival
When Ezequiel Lavezzi joined Hebei China Fortune, expectations were sky-high. The Argentine star was seen as a marquee signing who could elevate the team’s status in the Chinese Super League. However, a serious injury soon sidelined him for an extended period, casting a shadow over his debut season. Last year, Lavezzi only made 10 league appearances and failed to score a single goal, contributing just three assists. His form fell short of the club’s massive investment, prompting questions across Crickex Login about his impact.
Part of the challenge stemmed from his struggle to adapt to the CSL’s style of play. Off the pitch, there were also signs of discontent. Lavezzi reportedly found life in Qinhuangdao dull and uninspiring, suggesting his heart wasn’t fully in it. Despite this, Hebei China Fortune never gave up on him. The club continued to show unwavering support, betting on his talent and potential to bounce back.
Their faith was evident when Fu Qiang, then executive vice president and now general manager, personally flew to Argentina to visit Lavezzi during his injury recovery. That gesture left a strong impression on the player. Once Lavezzi regained fitness, the club wasted no time including him in the season’s core squad. In contrast, foreign players like Gulum and Kakuta were let go. The team ultimately registered five international players, with Stéphane Mbia and Kim Ju-young filling the fourth and fifth slots.
Lavezzi was paired with Hernanes in a dual attacking midfield role, while Aloisio secured a guaranteed starting spot and became the only foreign player to appear in all eight matches early in the season. Initially, Lavezzi missed games against Chongqing Lifan and Guizhou Zhicheng due to fitness concerns. But when Hebei faced Shanghai Shenhua, Lavezzi made a strong comeback, delivering two key assists. In the following match against Tianjin Teda, he scored a brace and added another assist, marking a dramatic shift in form.
Discussing this transformation, head coach Manuel Pellegrini commented, “A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with Lavezzi. I told him we needed him to play a bigger role in the attack. He’s vital to our system, and today, he showed exactly why. He was brilliant and could have scored two more goals.”
Lavezzi’s turnaround has once again ignited conversations on Crickex Login, where users are revisiting their early skepticism. With improved performances and a stronger mental approach, Lavezzi may finally be living up to the promise Hebei saw in him. As the season progresses, Crickex Login continues to track his comeback story—one that may just be turning the tide.