Bakambu buoyed by flying start
Goals flow for Beijing’s new hotshot to make transfer trauma all worthwhile
SHANGHAI — Cedric Bakambu says that he made “a good choice” leaving Spain for the riches of Chinese soccer — and he is proving it by hitting 11 goals in as many games.
The France-born Congolese striker joined Beijing Guo’an from Villarreal earlier this year in a protracted move shrouded in mystery.
The cost of the deal was never disclosed, but reports in Spain and France said that 40 million euros ($47 million) was paid to release Bakambu from his Villarreal contract, allowing him to move on a free transfer.
The Chinese Football Association consequently ruled in February that clubs that try to evade a 100 percent levy on incoming foreign players will be deducted Chinese Super League points.
The 27-year-old has been an instant hit and played a major part in helping Roger Schmidt’s side top the CSL at the season’s midway point.
Speaking on the eve of Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Shanghai Shenhua, where Bakambu was again on the scoresheet, the forward said: “I think I made a good choice to come here.
“It is a new experience and I enjoy a lot my new life here in China.”
Speaking to AFP after the game, the former France Under-20 international said he did not care what people thought about him moving to China from La Liga at the pinnacle of his career.
He is thought to earn about 18 million euros a year and previously admitted the cash was a major incentive.
“I know why I am here and it does not matter what others think,” he said.
“I do what I want to do and the most important thing in life is that I am happy, the rest does not matter.”
Unlike some other foreign players who move to China, Bakambu brought his family with him.
“I like my life here in China and Beijing because I have good friends in my team, I am with my family, I am scoring goals and we are winning a lot of games,” he added.
Schmidt smiling
Bakambu is among a number of overseas players lured to China on handsome contracts that most clubs in Europe cannot match.
But his transfer was more unusual than most, dragging on for weeks as Guo’an refused to say that he had signed even though he was pictured training with them.
German coach Schmidt, who took over at Guo’an a year ago following his firing by Bayer Leverkusen, was fulsome in his praise of Bakambu.
“He’s a very, very good striker
“It is a new experience and I enjoy a lot my new life here in China ... I know why I am here and it does not matter what others think.”
Cedric Bakambu, Beijing Gou’an striker
and he does not need many opportunities to score,” said the 51-year-old, whose side have lost just once in 14 games this season.
On Saturday, Bakambu put Guo’an ahead with a predatory close-range finish, only for the visitor to concede an injury-time equalizer.
“It was very hard to get great chances to score but at the right moment he was there and that’s not a coincidence — that’s quality,” said Schmidt.
“He has done that very often this season, so he was a very good transfer for our club.”