When we see Tianjin TEDA splashing out 18 million euros a few years ago to bring in Brazilian player Alexandre Pato, we can't help but ask, is such a hefty investment really worth it? The reality is that Pato scored only 3 goals in his first season, performed passively, and was incompatible with the team's tactics, ultimately forcing TEDA to terminate the contract early at a significant loss. Expensive foreign players frequently underperform in the Chinese Super League (CSL), which is no longer an isolated phenomenon. On the other hand, those overlooked "budget-friendly" players are able to deliver impressive results with high cost-effectiveness. Is the CSL's recruitment model hitting a dead end?
Tianjin TEDA's acquisition of Pato can be considered one of the classic cases of failed high-priced recruitment in the CSL. Behind the big spending of 18 million euros lies the blind faith of the club's management in Pato's "world-class resume," ignoring the fact that he had already lost his core competitiveness on the European stage. A "star" who cannot integrate into the team's tactical system not only performs poorly on the field but also drags down the overall operation of the club. Looking back at TEDA at that time, Pato's high transfer fee directly led to a surge in financial pressure, even affecting investments in other areas at one point.
Of course, not all expensive foreign players in the CSL are "flops." Guangzhou Evergrande's recruitment of Paulinho is a rare example. This Brazilian player demonstrated exceptional standards during his two stints with Evergrande, becoming the absolute core of the team's attack and defense. However, it is worth noting that Evergrande chose to bypass intermediaries when re-signing Paulinho, completing the deal for 15 million euros. Although this recruitment still came at a hefty price, the player's contributions far exceeded his value. Unfortunately, successful recruitment like Paulinho is clearly rare in the CSL.
Where does the problem lie? On the surface, the failure of recruitment in the CSL is due to high prices, but in fact, the deeper reason lies in the recruitment path - over-reliance on intermediaries and lack of a scientific player evaluation mechanism.
As expensive foreign players repeatedly disappoint, some "ultra-high cost-effective" low-cost foreign players are quietly changing the recruitment landscape of the CSL.
Take Nelson Luhua of Qingdao West Coast as an example. This player joined for a mere 200,000 euros but quickly demonstrated outstanding abilities in the game. He not only helped the team stabilize their defense but also contributed decisive goals in key matches. The same example can be seen in Jinmen Tiger, who signed Salvador for 250,000 euros. This player shone brightly at both ends of the field and became an important part of the team. The performances of these players not only helped the teams alleviate financial pressure but also played a role in improving the overall quality of the league.
In contrast, the selection strategy of Japan's J League is more worthy of learning by the CSL. Kashima Antlers discovered young forward Kenta Ueda through campus events and signed him at an extremely low cost, patiently nurturing him. This player not only helped the team maintain their attacking power but also grew into a key member of the national team. Similarly, South Korea's K League's FC Seoul used a precise scouting network to sign Spanish player Osmar from the Thai league for less than 500,000 euros. Despite an unimpressive resume, Osmar relied on his comprehensive skills and suitable tactical approach to become an indispensable midfield core for the team.
These cases prove that it is better to take risks with expensive foreign players than to find players who truly meet the team's needs through precise selection and scientific evaluation. "Good quality at a low price" is not an unattainable goal for the CSL, but rather a lack of an effective operating system.
Intermediaries play a crucial yet dangerous role in the CSL's recruitment system. They often exploit information asymmetry to inflate player valuations multiple times, earning huge commissions in the process. Without a complete scouting system, clubs can only rely on the resources provided by intermediaries, which are not always efficient or accurate.
In fact, leagues like the J League and K League have long abandoned excessive reliance on intermediaries. They build their own scouting networks and use big data analysis technology to evaluate player potential and suitability. For example, the UAE's Al-Ahli Club used a data analysis system to sign Brazilian midfielder Bruno Henrique for just 4.8 million euros. This player not only helped the team win the league championship but also became a tactical core, with a cost-effectiveness far exceeding many foreign players in the CSL.
Bypassing intermediaries means having more initiative, allowing clubs to match their needs more accurately and avoid passively bearing high costs due to information asymmetry. This applies not only to the introduction of low-cost players but also to high-priced players.
The dilemma of the CSL lies not only in the waste of funds but also in the mentality of seeking quick success and instant benefits. For a long time, many clubs have been accustomed to using the short-term effects of expensive foreign players to cover up the shortcomings of local player training. This mindset has led clubs to become increasingly dependent on foreign players, and even when financial conditions are poor, they still cannot break away from the habit of "throwing money."
And now the financial situation has brought the CSL to a crossroads. High-cost recruitment is not sustainable and may further deteriorate the operational environment of clubs. To truly achieve transformation, it is necessary to fundamentally change the recruitment mindset. Learning from the successful experiences of the J League and K League, establishing a complete scouting system and data analysis platform is the way forward for long-term development. At the same time, investing the saved funds into the youth training system and infrastructure construction, cultivating the competitiveness of local players, and gradually reducing dependence on foreign players.
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