Shall we briefly summarize the lightning-fast implosion of Chinese football?
In a not so distant past, the country was still the dream destination for football players who wanted to hit the financial jackpot with one signature.
Top football players traveled to the East in a column – including a handful of Red Devils such as Axel Witsel and Yannick Carrasco.
But due to the decline of the Chinese real estate sector – lender to many clubs – and the corona crisis, the football fairy tale collapsed like a house of cards.
Due to the introduction of a salary ceiling of 3 million euros, fast earners now prefer to look for their money in the desert.
Carrasco during his period in China.
Hermetically sealed stadiums
Anyway, Chinese football has to move on.
Today the competition finally resumes after months of uncertainty. The planned start in April was no longer an option due to the rampant corona crisis and the associated Chinese zero-covid policy.
That will still make itself feel particularly hard throughout the season. Not a normal competition, but 18 teams divided into three groups. They play all their matches in hermetically sealed stadiums in centralized locations – perhaps without fans. After that, it is “shifted”.
So there is no real freedom at all. Players who have been commuting between hotels, stadiums and training fields for years since 2020 will therefore remain trapped in their golden cage for a while.
Fleeing from reality
An extra reason for top performers to avoid China as much as possible, in addition to the plummeting salaries.
Who are the attractions today?
The Brazilian Oscar (ex-Chelsea). Although trainer and old acquaintance Ivan Leko is still waiting for his star to arrive in Shanghai. A player on the run from reality, it seems.
After Oscar, the biggest names are Nicolae Stanciu (ex-Anderlecht), Frank Acheampong (also ex-Anderlecht) and Aaron Mooy. You don’t get warm right away.
And of course Marouane Fellaini – last Belgian standing in China. Last year he crowned himself champion and cup winner with Shandong Taishan.
But where is the time when they dreamed of Ronaldo and Messi in China?
Marouane Fellaini won the double last year with Shandong Taishan.
16 months without pay
Improvement is by no means in the air.
Due to the corona crisis, the water is coming to the lips of the remaining clubs. Last week, Chongqing Athletic pulled the plug just before the start of the competition.
Players had not been paid for 16 months. Many of them had to borrow money or do odd jobs to make ends meet. Reportedly, the club no longer even had its own field.
There is also a veil of doubt around other clubs. For example, Guangzhou City, the ex-club of Mousa Dembélé, missed his plane to competition bubble Haikou. According to the official communication due to corona problems, but insiders suspect financial difficulties.
You notice: it promises to be a long season in China…
