In this file photo dated Oct 12, 2021, Zhang Linpeng (left) of China competes with Abdulrahman Alobud of Saudi Arabia during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Asian qualification football match between China and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - China and Shanghai Port defender Zhang Linpeng has said that the fast decline of his former club Guangzhou FC is inconceivable to him.

The Guangzhou side, which lost to Shanghai Port 3-1 in the third round of Chinese FA Cup on Sunday, are struggling in the Chinese second-tier league with seven points after 10 games, three points above the relegation zone.

"To be frank, I never imagined the Guangzhou side would be like this," said Zhang, who played for the eight-time Chinese Super League champions from 2011 to 2022.

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He put the Guangzhou team's plight down to the inexperience of their players.

"The team is basically made up of young players, lacking the experience to play profession football games. I heard that many of them were brought up from the academy," he said.

The 34-year-old defender was confident that the Guangzhou side will fend off relegation this season.

"I have every confidence in the team that they will not be relegated. Their players have played some games, and they know where they should be," he said.

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"I believe no player of the team feels that his team is to be relegated," he added.