Nigeria national team Captain, John Mikel Obi warn young players intending to make big money move to China, to rethink again. Mikel who earned £140, 000 a week playing for Tianjin Teda in China, said it is not worth it.
How true is Mikel's warning? We decided to take a critical look at the possibility of transferring young Nigerian players to China and the implication of such transfer.
Well, if Mikel is referring to both men and women footballers, his warning may not be entirely correct, because China is one of the best playing nation for women football. China women league is very competitive and of high quality. You can easily deduce that by looking at their women national team and what they have achieved.
Usually, 98% of players in the Chinese national team are home grown, from collegiate and the domestic league. In 1999 Fifa women World cup, China did very well by reaching the finals. They played goaless draw against USA, but only lost on penalty. China is always a real contenders for the trophy during any world cup.
I believe Nigerian women playing in China will improve their quality. Their game and skills will get richer playing in Chinese women league.
But for the money, men football in China isn''t high quality and not ideal for a young and growing Nigerian player. China is similar to the situation in USA, where their women national team have emerged world champions several times and their men's team are still struggling to find their bearing.
Mikel has also complained about the cultural challenges. A young Nigerian player may not be able to strive in such 360 degree culture change from what he is used to... and the unprofessional nature of Chinese football managers. I almost got frustrated and you just watch your football nose diving very other day.
Well, when we looked at it closely, with our experience in China, we found out that it is very difficult to transfer young and upcoming foreign player to China; whether man or woman.
Chinese clubs are only allowed to sign three foreign players that has the playing quality to improve their league. You may not be giving a work permit if you are just an upcoming player from Nigeria. Chinese teams will rather sign a Nigerian player who has already made name in Europe or America.
This is the reason it is easier for Francisca Ordega to conclude a recent move from Washington Spirit USA to Shanghai SPI. And Asisat Oshoala once played for Dalian Quanjian before her recent move to FC Barcelona.
That was the reason Mikel was paid so much as he was signed from Chelsea to Tianjin Teda and Odion Ighalo from Watford England, now playing for Shangai Greenland.
So our conclude is this. China may not the right destination for young players just growing up in the game or just starting off his or her professional football career.
