Financial free-fall for Chinese champs Jiangsu FC
THE “shocking” collapse of champions Jiangsu FC is a watershed for Chinese football that should prompt a rethink from top to bottom, state media said.
Jiangsu, who are owned by the conglomerate Suning – which also owns Italy’s Inter Milan – said Sunday they will “cease operations”, three months after winning the Chinese Super League for the first time.
The announcement underlines the financial problems coursing through the league that could also see rival side Tianjin Tigers fold this week.
It also highlights the declining fortunes of a league that repeatedly smashed the Asian transfer record just a few years ago, attracting a number of foreign stars. Many have since left.
“It seems incredible and shocking, but it feels like the dust has now settled,” state-run Xinhua news agency said following the announcement by Jiangsu, who have not yet dissolved and are seeking a financial lifeline.
Xinhua said that 16 teams across three tiers of Chinese professional football folded in 2020.
The Super League gained a reputation for luring star players with hefty wages and exorbitant transfer fees – Shanghai SIPG signed Oscar from Chelsea in 2017 for an Asian-record 60 million euros.
But the Chinese Football Association has since brought in a raft of measures to cool spending, including a 100 per cent transfer tax and salary caps.
The CFA said on Monday it was “sorry to hear” about Jiangsu but respected the club’s decision, and vowed to plough on with its attempts to make China a leading football power.
However, times are tough for Chinese clubs, where money began to dry up even before the coronavirus pandemic.
“The most important thing at the moment is to reload and start again, rather than being lost in confusion or remorse,” said Xinhua.
“To some extent it is a good thing that the bubble has burst earlier [than expected],” it added.
“Chinese professional football has ushered in its first ‘watershed’ after its high-speed, wild growth.
“Respect the laws of football, respect the laws of the market, adhere to youth training and work for the long term.”
Beijing Youth Daily said the implosion of Jiangsu, who are based in the eastern city of Nanjing, was an opportunity for renewal.
“Where does Chinese football go from here?” it asked.
“Experts say that to solve the predicament of Chinese football it must be overthrown and reconstructed.
“Chinese football, the promotion of it and youth training all need to be reassessed.”
The new season, which will almost certainly be shorn of Jiangsu and Tianjin, is expected to start in April but there is no definite date because of coronavirus uncertainty.
REAL Madrid’s chances of chasing down La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid were dealt a blow on Monday as they needed a late Vinicius Junior equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad.
It could have been worse for Zinedine Zidane’s side, with Vinicius’ finish in the 89th minute preventing what would have been a damaging defeat after a weekend in which both Atletico and Barcelona had won.
Atletico’s victory over Villarreal on Sunday put them six points clear of Real Madrid, an advantage that is now only cut to five ahead of next week’s Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano. Atletico also have a game in hand.
The result ends Real Madrid’s run of five consecutive wins while Portu’s brilliant header for Real Sociedad early in the second half was also the first goal conceded by the reigning champions in five games.
It represents an important shift in momentum. A few days ago Atletico might have hoped just to hold on to first place next weekend but now they could spy an opportunity to all but knock their opponents out of the title race.
“We’re playing for a lot there,” said Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. “We can win, we’re physically strong and we’re getting players back. There’s a lot of time left to keep fighting in La Liga.”
Barcelona kept their own resurgence going on Saturday by overcoming Sevilla and now sit level on points with Real Madrid, having also played one game fewer than the leaders. Real Sociedad sit fifth, the top four seemingly out of reach.
Madrid had 20 shots to Real Sociedad’s six but lacked edge in the final third, with the injured Karim Benzema watching on from the stands.
“We’ve had games where we won and maybe we didnt deserve to win as well, we can’t change anything,” said Madrid coach Zidane. “We have to keep going. There is a long way to go.”
Benzema eyeing derby return
Benzema could return for the derby and one positive for Zidane was the sight of others returning, with Fede Valverde, Marcelo and Rodrygo all back in his squad.
“Karim can be with us, yes, we’re going to see,” said Zidane, when asked about the striker’s chances of facing Atletico.
“Still, he hasn’t trained with the team but the problem is a lot better, tomorrow we’ll analyse him.”
Madrid had the better chances in an entertaining first half, the best of them falling to Mariano Diaz at the back post but he headed against the crossbar under pressure from a yard out.
Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio both went close and Real Sociedad were dangerous on the break, just unable to find the final pass to make their openings count.
They made it count 10 minutes into the second half, the ball quickly shifted through midfield and out to the left, where Nacho Monreal had time to launch a cross to the back post.
Ferland Mendy looked like he would clear but instead was caught under the ball, allowing Portu to jump and send a brilliant header across Courtois and into the net.
Madrid’s pressure would come but Real Sociedad could have made it two, only for Alexander Isak to fall just short of Mikel Oyarzabal’s pass across.
Zidane sent Vinicius, Rodrygo and Hugo Duro on and there were chances. Casemiro and Duro both missed headers while Rodrygo skewed wide before Vinicius struck one minute from time, steering in Lucas Vazquez’s cross when given space in the box.
Duro even had a chance to win it but headed over, Real Sociedad surviving for a deserved point.