As Super League kicks off, all eyes are on China
Print Edition
THE Chinese Super League is gaining worldwide attention after big spending clubs dominated the headlines in the international transfer market in the past two months.
According to Germany-based transfermarkt.com, the 16 CSL teams spent a total of 334 million euros (US$372.7 million) in the winter transfer for both international and domestic players, surpassing English Premier League’s spending of 253 million euros.
The records do not necessarily raise the competitive levels of CSL, which only has a history of 12 years. In fact, big money offer was the most efficient, or probably the only way to attract foreign stars to CSL, especially when the players had other options in the better developed European leagues.
“It’s a good thing for the development of China’s football,” vice president of China Football Association Li Yuyi said when commenting on CSL club’s efforts in buying big-name foreign players. “But instead of focusing too much on the foreign players themselves, we should pay more attention to the level of confidence in Chinese football.”
The 2016 Chinese Super League kicks off yesterday, but the four CSL teams that qualified for this year's AFC Champions League have already tested their new squad on the Asian stage in the first two rounds of group matches over two weeks.
Record signing Alex Teixeira grabbed the opener in Jiangsu Suning’s 3-2 victory over a powerful Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors side in its second ACL group match.
The Brazilian, who cost 50 million euros, will play with ex-Chelsea midfielder Ramires and former Manchester City striker Jo.
Shandong Luneng spent 8.5 million euros on Brazil center-back Gil, who is among the most expensive defenders in China.
The purchase proved to be worthwhile given Gil’s steady performance in Shandong’s two ACL victories. The club sits second in Group F on goal difference with FC Seoul.
Shanghai SIPG clinched its first ACL victory on Wednesday at home despite the absence of Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan. Brazilian Elkeson, who was bought from Guangzhou Evergrande for 18.5 million euros, scored the opener and played a part in the second goal as well.
Defending champion Evergrande, however, remains the only team without a victory after two rounds of group matches. The club’s World Cup-winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has some work to do to create some chemistry between new signing Jackson Martinez and his Chinese teammates.
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