Xie Yalong has been looking for alternatives to the Star Team set-up in Bad Kissingen - established by his predecessor Yan Shiduo - after reports from the Chinese coaching staff criticised the German FA's level of support for the project, and following a personal inspection of the training base. And top of the list is the Clairefontaine academy in France, where the likes of Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and David Trezeguet honed their footballing skills.

In a meeting with German FA officials, Xie demanded to know why fitness and goalkeeper coaches haven't been training the Chinese starlets on a regular basis over the past six months.

He is also angry about the U20 players' lack of stamina in the second half of Saturday's World Youth Championship victory over Turkey, and has voiced his disappointment over the fact that a planned training course to be held by the German men's national team coach did not materialise.

The CFA does not intend to break its existing contract with the German FA, but would instead send an U17 team to Bad Kissingen (as players born after 1 January 1988 are also eligible for selection to the Olympics team) and move the U20 squad to France. Furthermore, the U20 players would only train at Clairefontaine during China Super League breaks so the CFA avoids pressure from CSL clubs when it comes to releasing players.

No official announcement about the new set-up in France, which is believed to have the full financial backing of Adidas, will be made until after the World Youth Championship.

(sinosoc.com June 14, 2005)