Since joining Hai Phong FC in the 2023 season, Xuan Truong has never been the priority choice of coach Chu Dinh Nghiem. The numbers clearly show that. In the 2023 season, he started 4 matches, playing a total of 504 minutes in the V-League. Up to this point in the 2023 - 2024 season, this midfielder has only played 264 minutes.

Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem has also shared many times about Xuan Truong. After the match against Nam Dinh Club last season, he frankly said: “I only used Xuan Truong reluctantly. If Manh Dung had not been injured, I would have only let Xuan Truong play for about 30 minutes. I think he has not reached good form yet.

The captain of Hai Phong Club also commented: “Xuan Truong’s playing vision is not as good as the team expected. Xuan Truong has experience, technique, and good vision, but when he returned to Hai Phong, he often suffered minor injuries and could not maintain his form.”

From Hanoi FC to Hai Phong, Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's ​​requirements for midfielders are always very high. He wants them to play aggressively, actively press, and be fierce. But in his eyes, Xuan Truong is a good initiator, but weak in competition (this was shared by him after the draw with Hanoi Police FC in the 2023 season).

In fact, Xuan Truong has also tried very hard. However, it seems that he is not suitable for the philosophy of coach Chu Dinh Nghiem, in other words, he is not "fated". But with coach Nguyen Thanh Cong, things will probably be very different.

The captain of Hong Linh Ha Tinh Club highly appreciated the midfielder born in 1995: "Xuan Truong is an ideal addition to the team at this time. Having another veteran player who has played for the national team is a good thing for Hong Linh Ha Tinh Club".

Borrowing Xuan Truong means that coach Nguyen Thanh Cong has a plan to use this player. In a team in the relegation group, his ability to pass long, regulate… can be maximized.

In addition, in a team that receives less attention, Xuan Truong will also be under less pressure. From there, he can relax his mind to regain his confidence, gradually regaining his best form alongside standard seniors like Trong Hoang.

One more thing, Coach Nguyen Thanh Cong is also very good at “reviving” “forgotten” players. Vu Quang Nam, who used to be a surplus player for Ho Chi Minh City Club, played brilliantly with Hong Linh Ha Tinh Club and was called up to the Vietnam national team by Coach Philippe Troussier.

Vu Viet Trieu, who is often on the bench at Binh Dinh Club, is now an indispensable player for the Hong Mountain team. Similarly, Bui Van Duc, Tran Dinh Tien and Nguyen Trong Hoang are also actively returning to coach Nguyen Thanh Cong's squad.

At the age of 29, Xuan Truong still has time to find himself. Looking at his bright smile in the 45 minutes of his debut for his new team in the 1-1 draw with Hanoi Police Club, one can feel that this is the time for him to start that journey in the Hong Linh Ha Tinh Club shirt.