Chinese money ‘a danger’

THE enormous spending power of Chinese football is a danger to clubs everywhere, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said yesterday as his midfielder Oscar pondered a reported £52-million transfer to Shanghai SIPG.

The Brazilian is a target for the Chinese Super League club, and has said he is “90 percent certain” to move.

“The Chinese market is a danger for all teams in the world,” Conte told a news conference ahead of Chelsea’s visit to Crystal Palace today.

“I don’t know the situation (with Oscar) so we have to wait.

“We must concentrate on our work and not think there’s a lot of money and they can take our players.”

Oscar would be in good company should he complete the move to Shanghai, joining a number of other Brazilians who have quit Europe to play in China.

Oscar’s former Chelsea teammate Ramires left Stamford Bridge to sign for Jiangsu Suning for a reported fee of £25-million last January, when compatriot Alex Teixeira joined the same club having looked set to join Liverpool from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Conte, who has guided Chelsea to 10 successive wins, appeared resigned to losing Oscar, who has been unable to find a regular place in the Italian’s side during the winning run. “Sometimes when there’s a massive offer it’s important to take the best decision for the club, (even if) sometimes the situation can penalise you,” he said. – Reuters