Positive prognosis has Wu primed
Wu Lei could get the opportunity to make an instant impact at Espanyol after the Spanish club on Wednesday said his shoulder injury is not as bad as was feared.
The former Shanghai SIPG striker this week became the first Chinese to sign a permanent deal with a La Liga club, triggering a wave of excitement and expectation back home.
Wu is still nursing a shoulder problem sustained during China’s recent Asian Cup campaign in the United Arab Emirates. It had been reported he would head to Germany for surgery, but Espanyol’s medical checks revealed that will not be necessary, appearing to green-light the 27-year-old for a potential debut at Villarreal on Sunday.
“Wu Lei sustained a left shoulder injury during the Asian Cup, but that did not stop him from representing China to play the rest of the games there,” said an Espanyol statement.
“The medical check on Wu showed he can play for Espanyol just like he played for Team China at the Asian Cup. He picked up the injury on Jan 7, but still led the Chinese squad until it was defeated by Iran in the quarterfinals.”
Wu greeted the positive prognosis with a message on his Weibo account on Wednesday which read: “Let the dream set sail from here.”
Espanyol coach Rubi is unlikely to throw Wu in at the deep end by starting him on Sunday. However, he could get a chance to shine off the bench in an important match for both relegation-battling teams.
Villarreal is desperate for a victory, languishing second-from-bottom (19th), five points from safety, in La Liga, while Wu’s Blanquiazules (White and Blues) sit 15th, just two points above the drop zone.
On Wednesday night, Espanyol exited the Copa del Rey, beaten 3-1 at Real Betis to lose 4-2 on aggregate.
During his Espanyol unveiling in Barcelona on Tuesday, Wu was raring to launch his new challenge, although he was also bracing himself for a significant step up in class from the Chinese Super League.
“Now my priority is to adjust myself to the pace of the new league and fit into the team’s system to actually play as soon as possible,” said last season’s CSL top scorer and player of the year.
“For me, the priority is to guarantee playing time. Also I have to consider the style of a league and if I can fit into a team’s system.
“I think Espanyol wants my ability to score and my speed.”
From a marketing perspective, getting Wu on the pitch as soon as possible is important for Espanyol’s Chinese owner Rastar Group, which is chaired by Chen Yansheng.
Chen has made no secret of the fact he wants the club to become a platform for Chinese players to develop their careers.
“Signing Chinese players, no matter if they’re in the first team or youth team, is the best way to open the Chinese market,” said Chen.
“Our Chinese marketing strategy incorporates not only improving our first team’s performance but establishing connections in terms of training and medical services.
“I want our club to be helpful for the overall development of Chinese soccer and Chinese clubs.
“There is an increasing demand for cooperation. In 2018, we established our first soccer academy in China (in Hunan province).
“We are trying to build first-class player training and management systems.”