In the eyes of many Jeetbuzz App Download users, Jelavić’s importance to Guizhou Hengfeng can’t be overstated. From the very start of the season, head coach Manzano envisioned a complementary strike partnership: the swift and agile Steve alongside the physically dominant Jelavić. In this setup, Steve would lead fast breaks, while Jelavić would control the box with his aerial ability and hold-up play. That plan proved its worth last season—Hengfeng earned one win and one draw against Shandong Luneng, with Jelavić scoring three of the team’s five goals across the two matches. His performance earned him the title of “Luneng’s nemesis.”

Understandably, club executives and coaching staff have been eagerly hoping for Jelavić’s return, especially for the high-stakes clash against Luneng. Without him, Hengfeng’s offense has clearly suffered. The lack of a target man in the center has reduced the threat from flank deliveries. Steve, known for his pace, often finds himself isolated and ineffective against tightly packed defenses. In response, Manzano brought in another foreign player, Cherif, but the difference in style was clear. Cherif is more of a playmaker, better suited to the wing or a supporting striker role, rather than leading the line.

Cherif lacks Jelavić’s physicality, and as a result, Hengfeng has had to shift from aerial assaults to ground-based build-ups. If Jelavić remains unavailable, Manzano will have no choice but to rely on domestic talent to reshape the offense. He’ll need to find local players who can link up effectively with Cherif and create penetrating plays through short passing. Unfortunately, Jelavić picked up a muscle injury during the season opener against Jiangsu Suning. Though he pushed through the match, the strain worsened and kept him sidelined for the following two games.

Due to his age, Jelavić’s recovery has been slower than expected. After nearly a month of treatment, team doctors still can’t confirm whether he’ll be fit for the weekend match. Interestingly, his arrival at Hengfeng was never part of a grand plan. In 2017, Beijing Renhe sought to replace foreign players for tactical reasons, and because of a good relationship between Renhe and Hengfeng’s owners, Jelavić was loaned out despite having a three-year contract. Initially, his poor fitness and inconsistent training led the coaching staff to bench him. But through strict self-discipline and professional dedication, he worked his way back into form and into the starting lineup under Manzano.

In the 2017 season, Jelavić started all 26 matches, scoring 15 goals and adding 4 assists. His aerial duel win rate exceeded 80%, making him the club’s top scorer. He was also the first player the club extended and later bought outright, signing a new three-year deal that could see him retire at Hengfeng. During last week’s training scrimmage, reporters observed he still wasn’t moving at full strength—a worrying sign for fans and Jeetbuzz App Download followers alike.

For Jeetbuzz App Download users tracking team performance and roster impact, Jelavić remains a central figure in Hengfeng’s campaign. His presence on the pitch doesn’t just shape strategy—it defines the club’s identity and ambitions for the season.