How China’s not-so-big spenders get by
Spectators in the stands turn on the light of their mobile phones as a homage to the players of match between America and Necaxa on Sunday. AP pic DONGGUAN: Newly rich Chinese football isn’t all about millionaire players and famous coaches — just ask the smaller teams, who are living firmly in the shadow of their wellheeled neighbours.
Chinese Super League clubs took the transfer market by storm this year when they collectively splashed out more than US$400 million (RM1.8 billion) on players, including some still in their prime.
Guangzhou Evergrande were among the big spenders, extending a policy which has brought them six straight Chinese titles and two AFC Champions League wins in recent years.
But just a short distance away at the Yuexiushan Stadium, life is very different for Evergrande’s city rivals Guangzhou R&F, who take a more low-key approach.
R&F don’t pay exorbitant sums for foreign players, and they’re a long way from winning Asia’s Champions League. Instead, they put their faith in their academy system and homegrown talent.
“Evergrande spend a lot of money, and they pick the best players from around the world and every single club in China,” assistant general manager Tyler Guo said at last week’s LeSports Connects sports business forum in Dongguan, a couple of hours’ drive from Guangzhou.
“We operate in a relatively more rational way. We produce our own players, we promote Chinese talent so they can play and reach the national team.
“We also transfer a lot (of players) out to other clubs to make a balance financially too.”
R&F’s modest strategy means attracting fans can be hard — they have an average attendance of
before the start of the Mexico league around 10,000, the lowest in the Super League, while Evergrande draw about 44,000.
But R&F finished a creditable sixth this year, one place above Hebei China Fortune, who spent big to lure exManchester City and Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini.
President Xi Jinping fired the starting gun on China’s race to acquire players — and foreign clubs — when he outlined ambitions to turn the country into a global football power.
It left China’s more thrifty teams with a decision to make: try to match the spending of Evergrande, Jiangsu Suning, Shandong Luneng and others, or find different ways to compete.
Their biggest acquisition by far this year was attacking midfielder and Israel captain Eran Zahavi from Maccabi Tel Aviv for £7.2 million (RM34 million)
Zahavi was “obviously undervalued“, said Guo. “He’s really, really good in terms of (his statistics), strategic fit and the coach’s requirement.
“We typically look for these kinds of players.”
Such sentiments aren’t often associated with the Super League, which welcomed Hulk, Graziano Pelle, Alex Teixeira, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Ramires among a parade of top-level players this year.
“We’re looking for a sustainable way to run it. We’re looking at 10 years, 15 years, 20 years. It’s not about two years or three years,” said Guo.
When asked about the approach of rival clubs, who may be spending far more than they can recoup, Guo shrugged. “It’s China,” he smiled. AFP