A tale of two countries – Chinese footballers' British struggles
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E-mail China Daily, October 22, 2015
For Chinese soccer fans, the Premier League is one of the most entertaining to watch. The popularity of the top-flight competition, known for head-to-head derbies, big-name players, free-spending clubs and showy WAGs, is self-evident in China, although currently not a single Chinese player is anywhere to be seen.
A decade ago, it was another story. Apart from rooting for universally-known elites such as Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and John Terry, Chinese fans could still find their countrymen, even though in an almost negligible minority, to follow.
It was, and remains, considered a prerogative for Chinese footballers to play in a top-flight European league, which is believed to be more progressive than its Asian counterparts. For those not admitted to the Premier League, the lower-level divisions in England became their choice.
Chinese who set off on an adventure to Britain varied in performance. Some adapted well, while others lost themselves. However unlike other foreign employees, the Chinese as a whole didn't impress as they had never produced phenomenal talents like Didier Drogba (Coate d'Ivoire), Cesc Fabregas (Spain) and Sergio Aguero (Argentina).
Here are some Chinese players to have had British experience.
Sun Jihai – the Sun still rises out of the Blues
Crystal Palace (1998-1999), Manchester City (2002-2008)
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File photo of Sun Jihai at Manchester City. |
Sun Jihai was named Manchester City's Club Ambassador in China, allowing fans to recall his six-year spell there.
Sun didn't catch the club's revival which began after being bought by an Abu Dhabi conglomerate in 2008 and peaked by securing Premier League titles in 2012 and 2014.
Heralding a trend for Chinese footballers to test the water overseas, Sun set Crystal Palace as his first stop in Britain on a one-year stint with the London club till 1999.
The defender made 130 appearances for City between 2002 and 2008, a turbulent period when the Blues were often subdued by league giants, including city rival Manchester United.
He was the first Chinese player to score in the Premier League; heading home in a 2-0 victory over Birmingham City in October 2002.
Sun helped City to win the First Division title in 2002 and gain promotion to the Premier League.
The newly-appointed City ambassador is expected to return to the club on Friday as part of President Xi Jinping's entourage on the Chinese leader's tour of the Etihad Stadium, home to the current Premier League leaders.
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