The sale of Oscar to Shanghai SIPG represents good business for Chelsea given what seems to be an inflated price, but it has led to fears that it could result in a more general exodus of Premier League players. It might also seem to suggest a growing role for China in world football.
The sale of Oscar to Shanghai SIPG represents good business for Chelsea given what seems to be an inflated price, but it has led to fears that it could result in a more general exodus of Premier League players. It might also seem to suggest a growing role for China in world football.
An alternative view is that splashing out on trophy assets in this way is a sign of a bubble economy which could be tipped over the edge at any time. For example, protectionist measures taken by the Trump administration could be the trigger for the collapse of what is in many ways a financial house of cards. Total debt is expected to be nearly 300 per cent of GDP in 2017, a very high figure for a country at China’s income level.
However, Chinese firms continue to show an interest in buying English clubs with Liverpool being mentioned as the latest target. However, with their investment starting to pay off, there is no reason to believe that Fenway Sports Group want to sell.
A more optimistic view of Chinese football points out that five of the best paid players in the world now ply their trade in the Chinese Super League.