Chinese players should avoid being used for market development

‍‍Chinese players started to go abroad to play football from some decades ago. Lately, it seems that more opportunities emerged, but they were mixed with elements of commercial interests of corporations. 

First landing in 1987 

In February of 1987, Chinese player Xie Yuxin went to Dutch football team PEC Zwolle, making the first step for Chinese players to develop abroad. In 1998, Yang Chen became the first playerwho joined teams of one of the five European leagues. Sun Jihai and Fan Zhiyi joined Crystal Palace of the Premier League at nearly the same time, receiving about a total of 1 million pounds.

After that, several more players were transferred to foreign leagues: Xiehui transferred to Alemannia Aachen in Bundesliga; Sun Jihai transferred to Manchester City; 19-year-old Dong Fangzhuo joined Manchester United; Sun Xiang joined Philips Sports Union. 

Playing overseas has always been regarded as a method to raise players’ competence and has been popular. 

This period also witnessed the largest number of Chinese players going overseas. However, the result were not as promising as expected. Chinese players did not achieve great success due to language barriers and fierce competitions. 

Chinese capital 

Chinese capitals have tried to help players play overseas. In 2002, Kejian sponsored Li Tie to help him transfer to Everton. Kejian paid for 1 million pounds and a portion of his payment during the loan. 

Qianbao, the sponsor of Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, required that Chinese players must participate in 30 percent of the games in one season if they were signed by the teams, and offered to pay the transferring fees and salary of Chinese players. 

Wang Jianlin, the tycoon in Chinese real estate and a new developer of Chinese football, has sponsored 90 young players to train in Spain, spending about 70,000 Euros for each kid each year and an accumulated amount of 6 million Euros up to now. 

Guangzhou Evergrande even opened a football school abroad to send young players overseas. 

The interest of clubs are about the Chinese market 

In December 2014, Beijing Guoan player Zhang Xizhe was bought by Wolfsburg in Germany. However, up to now, Zhang Xizhe still hasn’t played in any matches. Lately, news reported that Dutch football ADO Den Haag made an offer to buy Zhang Xizhe. Their aim is likely to be the same—to enter the Chinese market. 

In fact, what most clubs want by bringing in Chinese players is to make money, either through sponsorship or by other means. 

However, it may not be so easy. Take Chinese fans as an example. Not many people are willing to spend several hundred yuan on buying official jerseys. 

From this perspective, it may not be a good idea for Chinese players and the clubs. Clubs couldn’t get what they want, and players waste their careers. 

Conclusion

Chinese players should consider carefully about going abroad at this stage, where commercial interests may affect the purity of a team’s offer. It’s very good for them to go abroad, and it’s even better if they are appreciated for their football skills.