AuthorJeffEyesRimmer The new Chinese Super League kicks off in March 2017 and the cashed up clubs are already looking at bringing in some big name players to the league. At time of writing Chelsea player Oscar is a $60million target for Shanghai SIPG. That is an eye watering amount of money for a player on the peripheral at Chelsea but it seems that the Chinese Super League is very much in favour in paying whatever it takes for high profile names. The League rules allow each team to have up to five foreign players in their squad and this includes one from another Asian Confederation. Of those four can play at the same time, however no overseas goalkeepers are allowed (which seems a bit mean, but the League obviously has one eye on developing good keepers for the national team with this requirement).
Consequently, we are likely to see several other big names head to the League over the next few months where the personal riches to be gained far outweigh even the money the EPL can offer. The rumours are that Oscar will be paid a ridiculous $400k a week. That’s crazy but you can’t blame a player for accepting that level of money when it’s on offer. We certainly would (although our best years are behind us and we are keen on one last pay day)!. Another big name that might be heading to China is Carlos Tevez, allegedly being offered $37million a year. Last season the league broke their transfer record four times just in ten days. Expect the same this season we think. So how and why is this happening? How has China become a huge cashed up League? Professional football in China started in 1994 with the Jia-A League and went through two iterations due to scandals and corruption before the Super League came into being in 2004. That league started with 12 teams and then in 2008 a further 4 teams were introduced to bring the number of clubs up to the current 16 teams. The corruption scandals really hit home though in 2010, with former vice presidents being arrested. Consequntly, in 2011 the anti-corruption campaign really ramped up and improved the image of the game in China. New people were brought in to steer the ship and this lead to China indicating that it wants to become a world football super power within 15 years and to compete and ultimately win the World Cup within this time period. The league has the backing of current Chinese President Xi Jinping too, who is a massive football fan, and he has set up a 10 year plan to improve Chinese football on the world stage. The plan aims to create a sports economy worth $800bn (very optimistic as currently the global market is only $400bn). To achieve this plan though China aims to build 20,000 football schools that produce 100,000 players over the next 15 years. The President also wants China to host the World Cup and win it within 15 years. No mean feat for a team currently ranked 83rd in the world. To help with this aim a popular domestic league is a must and the Chinese government has encouraged big business to fund the football revolution in the country. Over 50% of the clubs are owned by real estate and property construction groups. The most successful club, Guangzhou Evergrande, is bankrolled by the Evergrande Group (60%), which are one of China's biggest construction firms, and Alibaba (40%), the world’s largest e-commodities website. Jiangsu Suning is owned by the Suning Commerce Group, one of China's biggest privately owned retailers. Beijing Guoan's primary shareholder is the CITIC Group, a state-owned investment company. These are companies have plenty of cash more so than the majority of other teams around the world. They are encouraged to spend by the government and it is seen as good branding opportunities for the owners. Buying clubs can improve other branding or marketing opportunities in other countries for them. Another factor is the prestige that comes with owning a big club capable of spending huge levels of money. Chinese culture encourages the showing of wealth and what more can you do than try to be the top spender in the national League or maybe one day in world football? We at Football Outcasts HQ wouldn’t be surprised to see the Chinese Super League breaking the world transfer record in the next few years. In addition to the big companies getting involved the League has had a big TV deal completed. In China football doesn’t have very much to compete with like other countries such as America, Britain or Australia where NFL, NBA, Rugby, Cricket, AFL and Rugby League are present and compete for our attention. Additionally, TV audiences can watch the Chinese League at ‘normal’ times and so the matches do not clash with the popular European Leagues. Consequently, a TV deal worth $1.25 billion over 5 years has been signed. That’s worth around $200 million a season to the clubs. The league is growing as well, attendances average is 22,000 and is up 16% from previous seasons. Chinese clubs are strong in the Asian Champions League too; Guangzhou Evergrande won the Asian Champions League in 2013 and 2015. The importation of higher profile players can only add to the growth of the league. Although the league is growing, the ambitions are admirable and the investment that is being provided show there is a potential for a revolving door of talent that could be to the detriment of the league in general. It is one of the reasons why Tim Cahill left. While the League is trying to bring foreign players in at their peak to improve the quality does it really help the Chinese players develop? Early results show no, but only time will tell if these plans will really make China a super power in footballing terms, but the with the passion and money available China has all the tools at its disposal to succeed with their plan. Image:http://smcontributor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/csl-logo-NEW-Small-640x420.png |
AuthorsJust Some Fans Writing About Football. Archives
June 2018
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