Raferly
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- Jun 28, 2015
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China is keen to become a world soccer power and is making all the right moves off the pitch to ensure future success on .
Huge money has lured some of the biggest names to China recently and Australian clubs consider it would prove disastrous for them to try to compete with the Chinese.
Australia's greatest World Cup goal scorer, Tim Cahill, moved to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua after the 2014 World Cup in a bid to extend his soccer career.
Now 36, he is rumoured to earn $9.6 million annually and told SBS's The World Game program he was capitalising on his popularity in Asia.
"It's good for what I do off the park as well, whether it be fashion, whether it be commercial or whether it be other opportunities in business," the Australian said.
"A lot of players will come here because there's always big talks about the money. But if you can't get on with the culture and also the players then it's a very short-term lifestyle here.
"It's only a seven-month season in China and I get to play international football, I love the food, the fans have taken to me well and I like being in big cities."
China spends big on soccer stars
During January's transfer window, China's Super League clubs collectively spent more than any other league across the globe on some of the world's best players.
Among those making the move are Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian midfielder Alex Teixeira, Atletico Madrid's Colombian striker Jackson Martinez, Brazilian Ramires from Chelsea, and Roma's Ivorian international Gervinho.
Other Australians on the move are Socceroos Trent Sainsbury, Ryan McGowan, James Troisi and Michael Thwaite, boosting to seven the number of Aussies in China's top division.
Cahill does not think Australia can compete with the Chinese push for now, but says it might be able to do more over time.
"I still think that the A-League needs time to grow and it needs proper help by the big hitters that can help change the game — and big players will change the face of the game in Australia," he said.
Chasing the big money:
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Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite spent half a season playing for Jiangsu Sainty in 2011 and praised the Chinese competition.
"You're always going to have that player drain," Djite said.
"TV rights are TV rights, rich owners are rich owners, so if they're owning teams in certain jurisdictions then the money's going to flow that way and players are going to be enticed to go to those different clubs and different countries.
"It's up to every individual. We'd all love to play for Chelsea and Barcelona but, if not, you can look at other alternatives and other opportunities and at the moment China is one of them."
PHOTO Bruce Djite thinks players are keen to support China's league growth.
GETTY IMAGES: DANIEL KALISZ
Djite said he believed foreign players were moving to China not so much for the money on offer, but to help support the growth of the sport there.
"I think they can lift the profile of the league — the owners know that, the clubs know that, the coaches know that ... it's like David Beckham going to LA Galaxy," he said.
"It wasn't a money grab, he doesn't need money but he did help grow the MLS (Major League Soccer) and I think different players around the world are trying to do that in different competitions, like Del Piero coming here [to Australia].
"I think you need ambassadors for different leagues, especially when they're growing and trying to compete in such a competitive marketplace."
Alessandro Del Piero reportedly commanded a $2 million salary in his time with Sydney FC, but that was a lone case in Australia.
A-League looks to selling points other than big cash
A-League clubs know they cannot compete financially on the world stage, but Adelaide United football director Ante Kovacevic said the local competition had other selling points, being well organised and with excellent stadiums.
"It's a great place to play football and, if they've got families, it's a great lifestyle to have off the field," he said.
"If the wages were [equal] they'd choose Australia over China any day of the week."
Kovacevic said signing talented players such as Albanian international Besart Berisha, German Thomas Broich and Argentinian Marcelo Carrusca had been important in exposing Australia's soccer players and fans to highly talented professionals.
He said the growth of the Chinese league could benefit world football, and did not spell doom and gloom for Australian clubs.
"Not everyone can go to China. China can't fill their teams up with 20 foreigners — they've got their foreigner limits as well, so there is scope for us to get some good quality players," he said.
"Whether they're going there for a superannuation top-up or whether they're just chasing the money and they're out of there within a year, I don't think it's sustainable. It's not building a culture, it's not building the sport for success or for sustained growth.
"If China catches on [to soccer] and their population is interested in the sport, I think that's great for the game and will be great worldwide."
