Premier League, once the preferred destination for Chinese players to pursue their careers abroad, has seen the likes of Sun Jihai at Manchester City, Li Tie and Li Weifeng at Everton, Dong Fangzhuo at Manchester United, and Zheng Zhi at Charlton. Qu Bo had a trial with Tottenham Hotspur, and Zhang Yuning had one with Leicester City. It was a time when Chinese players were eager to go abroad, and it was also the peak period for Chinese footballers in Europe. Now, a Premier League team is preparing to bring in another Chinese player.
According to Hong Kong's "Gangbo News," Leicester City is interested in signing a Chinese player, and the club has sent its chief scout to China to evaluate this particular player.
On December 5th, in the second-tier Asian Champions League match, Hiroshima Sanfrecce hosted Eastern Sports from the Hong Kong Super League. An 18-year-old Chinese player named Wu Zixi broke into the Hiroshima Sanfrecce penalty area, feinted with his right foot, evaded several defenders, and unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net. Despite Eastern Sports' overall inferiority, they ultimately lost 1-4 to Hiroshima Sanfrecce.
The Leicester City scout was seated in the stands, watching the game. According to Hong Kong media, the scout was there specifically to observe Wu Yuxi, and the impressive performance of the 18-year-old did not go unnoticed.
Wu Yuxi was born in Sichuan in 2006, stands at 1.78 meters tall, and weighs 76 kilograms. Last summer, at the age of 17, he joined Eastern Sports of the Hong Kong Super League, officially embarking on his professional football career. He plays as a left winger/right winger/left midfielder/right midfielder. This season, he has made 15 appearances for Eastern Sports in various competitions, scoring 4 goals and providing 2 assists.
It is understood that the reason why Leicester City is interested in the 18-year-old Wu Yuxi is that he is a left-footed player. As we all know, most football players are right-footed. Left-footed players are rare, as those who can use their left foot can also use their right, greatly enriching the team's tactical system. Wu Yuxi is such a left-footed player, and at only 18 years old, he has great potential for development. The match against J.League powerhouse Hiroshima Sanfrecce in the Asian Champions League was the best answer the 18-year-old could give to the Leicester City scout.
The last time a Chinese player appeared in the Premier League was in 2008, when "China's Sun" Sun Jihai concluded his six-year contract with Manchester City and transferred to Sheffield United in the Championship. From then until 2024, no Chinese player has been seen on the Premier League stage.
It is understood that the Leicester City scout has reported the situation of the young Chinese player Wu Yuxi to the club's management. Leicester City has shared videos of Wu Yuxi's recent performances with both the reserve and first-team coaching staff, seeking their opinions. Leicester City is likely to make initial contact with Eastern Sports of the Hong Kong Super League to discuss the transfer of Wu Yuxi.
If the 18-year-old Wu Yuxi joins Leicester City, it will mark the return of Chinese players to the Premier League since 2008. This will greatly promote the trend of Chinese and Hong Kong players going abroad to Europe. Do you think Wu Yuxi will join Leicester City?