From Oscar to Pato, five big Chinese signings
Editorial
16. juni 2017Chinese clubs spent heavily in recent transfer windows as the Chinese Super League (CSL) hit the headlines with a number of big-name, big-money signings.
Artikkelen fortsetter under annonsen
Ahead of the opening of China’s four-week transfer window on Monday, AFP Sport looks at five major signings by CSL teams and how they have fared:
Oscar (Shanghai SIPG)
The biggest transfer in Asian football history saw SIPG manager Andre Villas-Boas sign a fellow Chelsea alumnus, attacking midfielder Oscar, for a whopping 60 million euros ($67 million).
Arriving to a hero’s welcome in January, Oscar immediately started repaying his hefty price tag with goals in the AFC Champions League as the Shanghai side set up a forthcoming quarter-final clash with Chinese rivals Guangzhou Evergrande.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international quickly became a fans’ favourite.
Carlos Tevez (Shanghai Shenhua)
Shenhua also made waves in Shanghai in January by signing Tevez, the former Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus striker, from Boca Juniors on a reported annual salary of 38 million euros, making him one of the world’s highest-paid footballers.
But the Argentine forward, 33, has failed to win over the fans and infuriated them after being spotted at Disneyland the same day he missed an important match due to injury.
In danger of becoming a hate figure.
Hulk (Shanghai SIPG)
The bulldozer of a Brazilian forward, 30, has been a huge success since signing for 56 million euros last year from Zenit St Petersburg in Russia.
The 30-year-old international bullies defences in the CSL and AFC Champions League, and together with Oscar and fellow Brazilian Elkeson comprises a terrifying forward three that would cut it in any league in the world.
Hit trouble when he was accused of punching the assistant coach of an opposing team. Hulk and Shanghai SIPG denied the allegation.
