Former England international goalkeeper, Ian Walker played for Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers. In 2012 he moved to China to become goalkeeper coach of Shanghai Shenhua, before crossing the city divide to join Shanghai SIPG in 2014. In Walks the Walk he talks football and China. Follow him on Twitter: @IanWalks1
When Argentine forward Ezequiel Lavezzi (pictured above) signed for Hebei China Fortune from French side Paris St-Germain last month, it was reported he would earn more than RMB215 million for his two-year deal. That is over RMB2 million a week, and makes him the fifth-highest player in the world, behind only Ronaldo, Messi, Rooney and Ibrahimovic. Enough to make him pick a life in Qinhuangdao instead of joining the likes of Chelsea, Inter Milan or Juventus.
It was no isolated case. During the winter transfer window, the Chinese Super League’s transfer record seemed to be broken almost weekly. When the 2016 season kicks off on March 5, new faces will include Brazilians Alex Teixeira (bought for RMB350 million from Shakhtar Donetsk), Ramires (RMB230 million from Chelsea), and ex-Manchester City striker Jo, who have all been bought by Chinese FA Cup winners Jiangsu (who have themselves been bought by electronics giant Suning Commerce Group). Over in Hebei, Lavezzi will be teaming up with Ivorian striker Gervinho (bought from Roma for RMB105 million), while Asian Champions Guangzhou Evergrande paid RMB285 million to Atletico Madrid for Colombian striker Jackson Martínez. His compatriot Fredy Guarin (pictured below) joined Shanghai Shenhua from Inter Milan for RMB75 million.
According to Forbes, the CSL spent more in the winter transfer window than any other league in the world, coming in at just under RMB2.2 billion (and that has probably gone up by the time you read this). That’s more than the English Premier League, and more than the top leagues in Italy, Germany, Spain and France… combined. And consider this fact: after the CSL, EPL and Italy’s Serie A, who spent the fourth most? China League One.
Much of the League One money was spent by just one club: Tianjin Quanjian. Recently acquired by Quanjian Natural Medicine, they are splashing the cash, employing ex-Brazil coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, and blowing RMB70 million on 28-year-old goalkeeper Zhang Lu, a player with only two national team appearances to his name. They also boast former Brazil striker Luís Fabiano, who had previous stints at Porto and Sevilla.
Beijing Renhe have also got in on the act, spending RMB40 million bringing in Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic from West Ham. Yes, you read correctly: a player has moved from the English Premier League to the second tier of Chinese football.
So what’s going on? It all seems to go back to President Xi Jinping’s mission to develop the Chinese game, which stretches from grassroots-level football, right the way through to hosting – and even winning – the World Cup. So money is being pumped in, presumably in the hope that a strong league, bolstered by foreign talent, will aid the improvement of domestic players, as well as helping China to become seen as a credible World Cup host.
Whether it will work, only time will tell. For now, the country's football fans can sit back and enjoy watching more and more big names heading their way.
Shanghai March Home Fixtures
After seeing off Muangthong United of Thailand in our AFC Champions League qualifier, our first group game saw us lose 2-1 in Melbourne. We probably did enough to earn a point, but missed chances coupled with defensive lapses cost us. It makes our two upcoming home games against Suwon and Osaka huge, as the Korean and Japanese teams are another step up again.
Throw in the Shanghai Derby, and it is a tough old month for us. We did the double over the boys in blue in the league last season and, with no love lost between the two clubs, they will be desperate for revenge. We’re the top dogs in town now, and it is their job to prove otherwise. Expect an electric atmosphere at that one.
Shanghai SIPG
Mar 2, 7.30pm vs Suwon Bluewings (CL). Shanghai Stadium.
Mar 11, 7.35pm vs Shanghai Shenhua (CSL). Shanghai Stadium.
Mar 15, 7.30pm vs Gamba Osaka (CL). Shanghai Stadium.
That’s Shanghai is teaming up with the Camel Hospitality Group to put on drinks deals before and after Shanghai SIPG home games and during away games. Join the Facebook group ‘Shanghai SIPG Supporters’ Club’ or email marketing@urbanatomy. com with the title ‘Shanghai SIPG’ for more details.
Shanghai Shenhua
Mar 5, 19.35 vs Yanbian Funde (CSL). Hongkou Football Stadium
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