Chinese Super League reduces number of foreign players allowed to play

Football
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Chinese Super League reduces number of foreign players allowed to play

Chinese Super League clubs will only be allowed to play three non-Chinese players per game in their next season - which begins in March.

A rule change has reduced the number of foreigners allowed in a move which could slow down the wave of big-money signings from Europe.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been linked with a move to China that would be worth £30m a year.

A statement said the new measures will address “irrational investments.”

Previously the rule was “4+1” - four foreigners of any nationality plus one Asian in a matchday squad.

Teams will now also be required to name two under-23 Chinese players in their matchday squads, with at least one in the starting XI, with the Chinese Football Association also looking into “signature fees and other illegal activities” in recent transfers.

Chelsea midfielders Oscar and John Mikel Obi have already moved to China this month, while former Manchester United and Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez reportedly became the world’s highest-paid player when he joined Shanghai Shenhua last month.

Shenhua would be one club hit by the new rules as they have six non-Chinese players in their squad, including Tevez, another former Chelsea forward Demba Ba and former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins.

Costa has been linked with a move to Tianjin Quanjian, who signed Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel for a salary of over £15m a year this month.

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Good on them, that’s what I say, they’ve seen a problem and the stupid amounts of money being spent and are doing something about it.

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So Shenhua have too many players?

Demba Ba on loan anyone?

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Pelle is probably available as well

oh and if Costa is not going there

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Nah, they’ll get Claude over there and he’ll rotate them…

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And…why can’t we do that?

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Until we get out of the EU we are bound by European employment laws, we can restrict non-europeans but not Europeans.

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That’s Fonte fucked if no top team in the Premiership wants him.

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I had that thought as well. Wonder if he’s in With Les at the moment telling him that he’s changed his mind and now loves the club again.

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I can’t see a way back for Fonte.

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Nothing surprises me in football anymore, ever since I joked and clapped above my head with thousands of others, singing EASY EASY EASY, when 3-0 up against Leeds with less than 20 left on the clock.

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Costa move to China binned because of new rules

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Yaya Toure has turned down a move to China that would have paid him £430,000 a week

I must say that surprises me. I thought he would have been an ideal choice for China - coming towards the end of his career (33), not exactly been the happiest at City (although playing now). I’m sure lots of big European clubs would be interested in signing him when becomes a free agent in the summer.