In the tide of Chinese football, naturalized players are undoubtedly a double-edged sword. In recent years, with the advancement of the naturalization policy, we have witnessed many overseas players wearing the national football jersey. But,Can these naturalized players really bring spring to Chinese football?
Since the end of the 2019 Asian Cup, Chinese football has set off a wave of naturalization. Players such as Exon, Fernando, and Luo Guofu have become the new faces of the national football team. However, for a variety of reasons, this craze did not bring the desired results. On the one hand, due to the ebb and flow of Jinyuan football, some naturalized players chose to leave Chinese football; On the other hand, the issue of age and form also made their performance greatly reduced.
Ackerson used to be a star player in the national football team, but his age has made him no longer as brave as he once was. Another player, Li Ke, was sent off by the head coach of the national football team, Jankovic, for being late, and these incidents all reflect that naturalized players are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The introduction of naturalized players should be a prudent choice, not a shortcut to short-term results.
Although Alain's return has brought a hint of joy to his fans, it will be very difficult for him to return to football in the face of his upcoming 35th birthday and the situation of not participating in the game for a long time. This is not only a personal challenge for Alain, but also a test of the national football team's strategy of selecting and cultivating naturalized players.
In contrast, Fernando seems to be an exception. Despite his limited time as a substitute in the AFC Champions League, he showed exceptional ability to pull a goal back for his team. Such a performance undoubtedly gave the national football team and the majority of fans a glimmer of hope:Naturalized players, especially young and promising players, can still contribute to the future of the national football team.
However, relying on naturalized players is not a long-term solution. The fundamental way out for Chinese football lies in the construction of the youth training system and the cultivation of local players. Naturalized players can be a "booster" for the improvement of the strength of the national football team, but it must not become a "long-term diet". What we need is to fundamentally improve the overall level of Chinese football, so that Chinese football can truly rise on the international stage.
In short, naturalized players may play a certain role in the road of the national football team, but the key depends on how the Chinese Football Association formulates a long-term development strategy and how to balance the development of naturalized players and local players. Only when we find the right direction and balance can Chinese football truly usher in its own spring. As fans, we should also look at the naturalization policy more rationally, give the national football team more time and space, and look forward to the future of Chinese football.