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…