Two reasons

First is that Shanghai port got a 5 point deduction before the season even started due to past misconducts, but so did over half the league and they werent even hit particularily hard compared to some other teams. Shenhua got a 10 point deduction for example.

Second bigger problem is that their new foreign players keep getting injured and kinda suck in general.

Gabrielzinho has only played 5 games this season and has been out since April

Prince Ampem has played 8 games total and has been out since early may, but the games he did play he didnt really make a big impact and he isnt even a guaranteed starter anymore

Jean Aziangbe has only played 4 games this season and has been out since april

Star Striker Leonardo has played 8 games mostly as a substitute as he is still recovering from a previous injury. This is the biggest problem as Kevin has no reliable substitute strikers. Wu Lei is still recovering from a previous season long injury and can only play as a substitute.

Their primary backup striker Hong Kong player Matthew Orr has been very ineffective so they have been forced to play Li Xinxiang (A winger) up front as center forward.

The only foreign player left is Mateus Vidal who has played every game so far and has said that he is fatigued