Foreign stars took center stage as the Chinese Super League returned last weekend with no fans in the stands but with a plentiful supply of goals.

Imported players accounted for 14 of the 30 goals netted over the eight opening-round games, with the feast of attacking soccer a welcome treat for fans starved of action since the league's original February start date was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite ongoing pandemic-related travel restrictions, the Chinese Football Association has secured the return of most of the league's foreign stars to China, with Marouane Fellaini the pick of the bunch over the weekend thanks to the Belgian's superb hat-trick for Shandong Luneng.

Fellaini's treble in the 3-2 win over Rafa Benitez's Dalian Pro saw the former Manchester United and Everton midfielder named MVP for the first round of games.

"Whether in our team or taking a look at any Asian side, Fellaini is a top-level striker or midfielder," said Luneng goalkeeper Han Rongze. "His ability is recognized by all of us. He always shares his experience with us during training."

The defeat was a reality check for Dalian boss Benitez, who has urged fans to be patient with his rebuilding project at the club.

"I'm changing the squad and bringing in young players, even if it's a risk. The competition is going to be difficult, because you have good teams with great foreigners and great Chinese players," Benitez, who returned to China in June, told CGTN.

"We want to win every game, but we know we cannot. We try to do our best in every game. If we are winning, you will say, 'Oh, Rafa is right.' If we are not winning, we keep trying and keep trying. I keep telling my players, if you make any mistakes, I'm OK with it and try again.

"We will try to bring in more young players, coach them properly and try to give them confidence. In two or three years, the team will be strong and the fans will be happy."

'Moving forward'

Despite his team's disappointing start to the campaign, the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss insisted Dalian Pro is moving in the right direction.

"When we came here, the club was 14th in the league... But the club has delivered massive training grounds and really good facilities for developing young Chinese players. The club was thinking about moving forward."

To guarantee the safety of everyone involved, the first phase of the season is being played in front of empty stands. Players, coaches and referees are required to stay in designated lockdown areas in host cities Dalian and Suzhou, with no contact with the outside world allowed over the next two months.

A recent cluster of coronavirus cases in Dalian has reminded everyone of the importance of abiding by the CFA's epidemic prevention rules.

"Now it's more difficult because of COVID-19, but the commitment from the players and staff is really good. Hopefully we can see some progress," Benitez said. "The main concern for me is to make sure the players are fit and mentally they can cope with the intensity, because there are so many games in a short time."

Gio stunned

Dutch great Giovanni van Bronckhorst also endured a tough start in his first competitive game in charge of Guangzhou R&F, which was stunned 3-0 by newly promoted Shenzhen.

Van Bronckhorst, though, hopes his experiences as a player with the Netherlands and the likes of Barcelona, Arsenal and Rangers will help his charges through lockdown life.

"I've shared my experience. As a player for my national team, we played many World Cups and European championships and we were away from home for a long time," said van Bronckhorst.

"The only difference is that you are able to go out of the hotel and do normal things when you are not playing. Now it's even longer. For everyone it's quite difficult. We are ready but we have to be fresh all the time.

"Not only myself as the coach, but also my staff and players. It's very important to maintain our energy and our level of competition."

Oscar admission

As one of the CSL's most high-profile imports, Brazilian Oscar helped 2018 champion Shanghai SIPG get off to a smooth start with a 3-1 win over Tianjin Teda.

"I'm excited to have the games now. We've spent too much time with no games, and I'm so happy to be back playing," the former Chelsea star told CGTN.

"You need to have a focus. If we don't have a game, we need to prepare good. And the club has been doing their best for us.

"We want to win both the league title and the AFC Champions League. I know it's hard, but we have a strong team. We need to focus and to win game by game."

Oscar, meanwhile, said he would like to one day don the red of Team China－if FIFA changed a rule that prevents players from representing two countries in official competitions.

In recent years, Team China has begun recruiting a number of naturalized stars, including Guangzhou Evergrande pair Ai Kesen (aka Elkeson) and Luo Guofu (aka Aloisio).

Oscar played for Brazil at the 2014 World Cup finals, but has not featured for his native country since 2016. On the possibility of being naturalized, Oscar replied: "I can think about it. It's difficult to join the Brazil national team because I'm here. In China everyone sees how good I play. So if the Chinese national team need a good midfielder, I can help. I like China."

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