Chinatown - Costa wants out

[nottsblue]

There is a question mark over the surety of the contracts the players going to China get. I've heard (on the radio) that if the club decides not to fully pay the player, he has no redress and has the choice of hanging around in China hoping to get paid or going back to ...his home I guess.

All the people I know who've done business in China, all say the exact same thing which is....

It's not case of if they fuck you over, just a case of when!

Can understand why a player wants to go as they see the £signs and £600k a WEEK is crazy money. But will a three or four year contract be honoured? Big question mark over that I reckon. As John@staustell pointed out as well, how much money does one guy really need? Is £5/6/7m a year in England not enough?

If the Chinese don't honour their contracts, then I suppose these could be rendered null and void by such default and any player's simplistic recourse would be then to sign for another Club, wheresoever, with no transfer fee round his neck.

With regard to the transfer fee itself, what happens these days ?? Previously, in times gone by, it was commonplace for Clubs to pay a transfer fee in instalments, spread over a number of years. When the Sheik took over, if I remember correctly, he created a bit of a stir by paying transfer fees 'up front' to the selling Club.

I've no idea now if we're still doing this and if other Clubs do the same; does anyone know ??

One assumes that if at a point in the future if the contract isn't honoured, FIFA will intervene and agree to another club registering the said player. But that player will unlikely return to a top level club in the western world. Could be a dangerous game to play

[PrezIke]

I think this is mad, but those arguing "how much money do you need"? don't seem to understand how much some professional athletes are paid compared to footballers, which I have raised on here before.

It's actually quite low compared to say American baseball or basketball players whose top players earn in the $24-25m (around £20m). That's a huge difference from making £5-6m.

Also, these people live lifestyles where they spend incredible amounts of money and many athletes have lost all of their money fast.

I don't blame them as it is closer to what the market dictates, but it is pretty incredible to happen in this type of circumstance.

[JamieMCFC]

I think this is mad, but those arguing "how much money do you need"? don't seem to understand how much some professional athletes are paid compared to footballers, which I have raised on here before.

It's actually quite low compared to say American baseball or basketball players whose top players earn in the $24-25m (around £20m). That's a huge difference from making £5-6m.

Also, these people live lifestyles where they spend incredible amounts of money and many athletes have lost all of their money fast.

I don't blame them as it is closer to what the market dictates, but it is pretty incredible to happen in this type of circumstance.

Another thing people need to realize is some of these professional athletes are also making sure family members and their future generations are well taken care of.

[phips]

developments in the CSL:

Teams in the Chinese Super League can only field three foreign players in a game following the introduction of new rules.

China's domestic football league will kick off in March with its popularity gaining momentum following the recent acquisition of stars from the English top-flight, such as Chelsea duo Oscar (Shanghai SIPG) and John Obi Mikel (Tianjin TEDA).

Sky sources have also reported Blues striker Diego Costa has become unsettled by a £30m-per-year offer from a Chinese club and was involved in a training ground spat, reportedly ended by manager Antonio Conte telling him to "go to China".

However, there appears to be concern over the lack of development for younger local players with the Chinese Football Association announcing an immediate cut to the number of overseas stars allowed in the league.

Every team will only be allowed to have three foreign players on the pitch at one time, and can only have five in the 18-man match day squad.

There must also be two Chinese U23 players in the squad and one must start. Up to now, teams had been allowed to field three foreign players and one non-Chinese Asian foreign player.

The new rules were due to be introduced in 2018, but will now be in force for the start of this season. The ban on foreign goalkeepers remains.

Sky Sports secured the rights last year to show live games from the Chinese Super League for three seasons.

i quite like the U23 rule. I believe its the Russian league that has that as well. or maybe its Croatia or Czech Republic--i can't remember.

[nottsblue]

Didn't know there was a ban on foreign goalkeepers. No chance of Bravo going there then.