Where does the hope for Chinese football lie? Can naturalized players really save the fate of the national team? On January 3rd, when 26-year-old naturalized player Hou Yongyong was selected for the national team for the first time, these questions were once again brought to the fore. For many people, Hou Yongyong's selection may be a hot search news that they quickly skim through and then put aside. But if you carefully delve into his story, you will find that it is not only about the turning point of a player's destiny, but also a mirror reflecting the current state of Chinese football.
Born in 1997, Hou Yongyong was destined to be different from ordinary people. Can you imagine a Chinese child growing up in the heart of European football, quietly becoming the "future star of Norway" under the blessing of talent and sweat? In Norway, Hou Yongyong has been widely acclaimed since his youth training days. He not only represented various Norwegian youth teams in competitions but also frequently grabbed headlines, being considered as the "all-round midfielder" of Norwegian football.
But life always loves to flip the script. In 2019, after being recruited by the naturalization policy to China, Hou Yongyong joined Beijing Guoan, a powerhouse in the Chinese Super League (CSL). At that time, many people had high hopes for him, even thinking that he might become an absolute mainstay for the national team in the future.
However, things did not go as expected, and his start was not smooth. Affected by injuries, adaptation periods, and other multiple blows, this "golden boy" who once shone in Europe gradually became lost and was even labeled as "another failed naturalization."
The turning point of the story appeared in 2023. At that time, Hou Yongyong officially left the CSL and joined Lillestrøm SK in Norway. This seemed like a choice to "lower his stance," but it secretly contained the opportunity for a comeback. In just one season, he scored an impressive record of 19 goals and 8 assists in 29 matches in the Norwegian First Division, winning both the league's top scorer and best player awards. This time, he responded to those doubts with action.
Some may ask, can the Norwegian First Division, full of "European unknowns," really train players? Don't rush to conclusions. For Hou Yongyong, the Norwegian First Division is indeed not a top-level event, but it provided him with enough time and space to regain confidence and hone his skills. Such a competitive environment is very suitable for the "overseas faction" of the CSL - it is not as stressful as the top five leagues, nor is it as challenging as friendly matches.
Moreover, everything is interconnected. Hou Yongyong's explosion in the Norwegian First Division not only saved his career but also set a particularly good example for young Chinese players: going abroad to play football doesn't necessarily mean aiming for the big clubs; obtaining stable playing opportunities is the real key. This might also inspire domestic clubs and players: instead of focusing on internal struggles, it's better to step out and see the breadth of the world.
Looking further, behind Hou Yongyong's story lies the "gains" and "losses" of the naturalization policy. In fact, Hou Yongyong is not the only naturalized player; we still remember foreign players like Elkeson and Jiang Guangtai who merged into the national team. They once brought brief performance boosts to the national team, but from the actual results, this policy initially seemed more like a gamble.
But Hou Yongyong tells us that naturalization should not only focus on a player's current level but should pay more attention to their growth potential. Without the rise in the Norwegian First Division in 2023, he would probably have been categorized as a "failure" in naturalization, but now, he has become a "positive example" among China's naturalized players.
In response to this situation, shouldn't we also learn to ask from scratch: can naturalized players truly maximize their potential in an environment like the Chinese league?
At the same time as Hou Yongyong's trending search, there is the new training list for the national team. In recent years, the head coach of the national team, Ivanković, has been doing one thing: rebuilding from scratch. He has focused more on post-00 players, emphasizing the cultivation of newcomers, such as 17-year-olds Maiwulang and Wumiti Jiang, etc.
This time, Hou Yongyong's selection once again proves Ivan's insistence on rejuvenation. In fact, this strategy is not novel. Looking at Germany and France, they climbed from the trough to the throne of World Cup champions by boldly cultivating newcomers. In contrast, the situation of the Chinese men's football team is more like feeling their way across the river, but the direction is obviously correct.
There are many problems with the national team, which is generally recognized. However, Ivan's approach undoubtedly injects new vitality into a stagnant pool. The emergence of players like Hou Yongyong and Maiwulang is like a beam of light in the dead of night, but whether this light can ultimately illuminate the path depends on how it is walked.
The Asian Cup qualifiers are approaching, which will be an important exercise for the Chinese men's football team. Adjusting the squad, strengthening the front-line firepower, and reserving young forces are all building a stronger foundation for the qualifiers. Hou Yongyong's addition will undoubtedly strengthen the team's attacking line, but what truly reassures fans is whether young players can withstand pressure and perform at a high level in major competitions.
Hou Yongyong has given everyone a kind of expectation: even if you have ever been lost, as long as you find the right method, the road to football can still be bright. And the growth of young players also gives people a glimpse of new hope for Chinese football trying to emerge from the trough. However, whether a qualitative leap can be achieved depends on how these "new forces" perform in the upcoming competitions.
Hou Yongyong's comeback in the trough is both passion and a lesson. The new attempts of the national team are springing up like bamboo shoots after a rain, but we hope that these young sprouts will stand tall in the future and not be beaten down by wind and rain!