With Chinese football clubs spending over 400 million US dollars on new players during the off-season, the 2017 Chinese Super League promises to be eagerly anticipated both at home and abroad. The new season is set to kick off this weekend on March 4, and in a special four-part preview series, CGTN takes a look at this year’s teams and everything you need to know about each team.

2016 finishing position: 2nd 

A buy-out by the Suning Appliance Group in December 2015 led to significant investment in the playing squad, and the Nanjing side ran Evergrande close for the title last season. Manager Choi Yong-Soo will be hoping to go one better this time, although like Evergrande, Jiangsu may find the Asian Champions League an unwelcome distraction.

Star players: With Suning’s investment signalling a large tranche of transfer funds, Brazilian internationals Alex Teixeira and Ramires were persuaded to swap European leagues for the CSL at a combined cost of over 70 million US dollars, with both men playing a key role in Jiangsu’s title challenge. Captain Wu Xi seems to have benefitted from playing alongside Ramires in midfield, and his dynamism will be a valuable asset.

2016 finishing position: 4th

After slipping from third to fourth in the final two rounds of 2016, Shenhua are another team to have spent big during the winter break, notably making striker Carlos Tevez the world’s highest paid footballer. The lack of Asian Champions League football may prove to be a blessing in disguise for Shenhua, with many of their key title rivals fighting on dual fronts. New manager Gustavo Poyet arrives after an ill-fated spell at Spain’s Real Betis that lasted a mere six months.

Star players: In addition to Tevez, club captain Giovanni Moreno remains an integral part of the team, as the playmaker begins his sixth season at Shenhua. Better things will be expected of Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin, who arrived from Italy’s Inter Milan last winter. Tricky winger Cao Yunding will also be hoping to lay on plenty of assists for Tevez and co.

2016 finishing position: 9th

The CSL’s sole representatives from western China, Lifan may find it tough going in 2017. A close season buy-out by businessman Jiang Lizhang and his Dangdai group has not translated into hefty investment on the playing side, with established stars conspicuous by their absence. Lifan only won promotion to the CSL in 2015, and the Chongqing outfit will have a job on their hands to extend their stay in the top flight by another year. 

Star player: Lifan’s hopes of avoiding relegation may rest on the shoulders of Brazilian target man Alan Kardec, who will want to recapture the form that saw him on his country’s standby list for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. 

2016 finishing position: 2nd (China League One)

Merely playing in the CSL is something of an achievement for Guizhou, who narrowly won promotion last year ahead of better-financed and more fancied rivals. Manager Li Bing is one of just three Chinese head coaches in this year’s CSL, and he will need to draw on all his tactical nous if top flight football is still to be played in southwest China next year.

Star players: Any success Guizhou have this season is likely to be more down to team spirit than any individual brilliance, with a squad largely consisting of journeymen and cast-offs from other teams. One player with plenty of CSL experience is versatile Australian Ryan McGowan, who will have to be at his best if Guizhou are to keep their heads above water.