As a self-leading blogger who has been following Chinese football for many years, I have always followed every move of the national football team from the most real and sharp perspective. Today, I have to say that the latest training camp list of the national football team makes me feel both angry and disappointed.
There is only one newcomer in this list, which is undoubtedly a huge blow to Chinese football, which is looking for change and progress. We have been calling for the national football team to need fresh blood and the courage to use new talents. But the reality is that we always seem to be standing still, or even going backwards.
Let's talk about naturalized players. One of the obvious features of this training camp is that the unnaturalized players may become history. As someone who has long been concerned about naturalization policy, I am extremely angry about this trend. Naturalized players were once seen as a major weapon in the rise of Chinese football, but now they seem to be being left out in the cold.
"Reflections on the Policy of Naturalized Players and the Challenges of the National Football Team".
In the past few years, the performance of naturalized players in the national football team can be described as divergent. Their arrival does bring a certain technical improvement, but does this really solve the fundamental problem of Chinese football?Apparently not. The role played by naturalized players in improving the overall strength of the team is far from having the desired effect. This not only reflects the over-reliance on the naturalization policy, but also exposes the deep-seated problems of the national football team in the youth training system and player training.
What is even more infuriating is that this reliance on naturalized players has to some extent weakened the growth opportunities and morale of young local players. We need to recognise that football is a long-term sport that requires sustained investment. The long-term and healthy development of Chinese football cannot be achieved by introducing naturalized players alone.
Now, when we see this training list, there are almost no new faces, and we have to ask: What is the future of the national football team?Are we really preparing for the future?Obviously, the current situation is not promising. The national football team seems to be caught in a strange circle: on the one hand, it is in a hurry, and on the other hand, it lacks long-term planning and patience.
"The Absence of Naturalized Players: Reflections and Perspectives".
The absence of naturalized players could be a profound reflection on past policies. We have to ask, why can't we produce homegrown players who can represent the national team?It's not just a matter of technique or tactics, it's a question of football culture and system.
What is even more infuriating is that we do not seem to see a clear direction and long-term plan for reform. In this critical period, what Chinese football needs is not only short-term performance improvement, but also deep-seated structural adjustment and strategic layout. Whether it is the decision-making level of the football association or the technical team of the national team, there should be a clearer and long-term consideration.
In addition, for the cultivation and selection of new talents, we should have a more open and forward-looking perspective. It is impossible to achieve the long-term development of Chinese football by relying only on a few veterans and naturalized players. The development of young players requires more opportunities and a more reasonable competitive environment. This list of the national football team is undoubtedly a neglect of, or even a departure from, this concept.
"The Need for Reform and Future Prospects".
Looking at this list, it is not difficult to see that Chinese football is at a critical crossroads. Whether to continue to rely on the old model or to take courageous steps towards reform is not only about the current results, but also about the future of Chinese football.
I am outraged that, despite all the cries and warnings, we don't seem to be seeing a real change in football management. What Chinese football needs is not short-term patches and expedient measures, but long-term planning and continuous investment. What we need is a radical overhaul – from basic education to professional leagues, from player development to coach education, every step of the way needs to be thoughtfully reformed. The long-standing problems of Chinese football, such as the lack of an effective youth training system, the instability of professional leagues, and the lack of football culture, are all key issues that need to be addressed urgently.
Let's face it: without a strong youth system, there is no good national team. We need to invest more resources in developing young players and providing them with better training facilities and opportunities to play. In addition, the healthy development of professional leagues is essential for the entire football ecosystem. What we need is a level playing field, financially healthy league system, not a short-sighted and pompous market operation.
Finally, the development of Chinese football is inseparable from the cultivation of national football culture. Football is not just a sport, it is a cultural and social phenomenon. We need to promote football throughout society, so that football can truly become a sport that people love.