Melbourne Victory boss Kevin Muscat says that the spending splurge in the Chinese Super League (CSL) promises to benefit football in the entirety of the Asian region.
The CSL, an Asian Football Confederation counterpart of the A-League, has seen its teams embark on a signing spree, adding star power from some of the biggest leagues in the world.
Jackson Martinez, Fredy Guarin, Ramires and Alex Teixeira, among others, have all been the subject of high-profile moves to big-name and big-money Chinese clubs, including current Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande, who will tackle Sydney FC in the group stage of the forthcoming tournament.
In Teixeira’s case, his new employer, Jiangsu Suning, pipped Liverpool to the Brazilian’s signature. Australian centre-back Trent Sainsbury also made the move to Jiangsu, departing Eredivise club PEC Zwolle.
Chinese Super League Team of the Year 2016.
Goals, goals and more goals… pic.twitter.com/scCEHfte2G
— Outside90 (@Outside90) February 9, 2016
Victory themselves face Chinese opposition in Group G, tasked with an assignment against powerhouse Shanghai SIPG. They are not short of star power, boasting Ghana international Asamoah Gyan, ACL winner Elkeson and Argentinian Dario Conca.
READ MORE: Melbourne Victory to learn from Wanderer’s ACL success for 2016 campaign
Muscat says the magnitude of those names can only help football in the region as the league continues to make waves throughout the globe and will boost interest in the premier continental competition.
“There’s still a week or so left in the (Chinese) window where there might be some more signings. You can’t help but be drawn as to what’s going on and who’s the signing,” Muscat said.
“There’s some very good individuals and very good teams now.
“Not only here in Australia, as part of the confederation, but in Europe now, people are starting to stand up and take notice (of Asian football).
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“Arsene Wenger’s having to address it in his weekly press conference … you know that it’s capturing the imagination.
“How could it not be, if we’re honest with ourselves, and long may it continue.
“It’s a challenge we’ll take head-on, it’s where we want to be.”
Kevin Muscat confirms that Asian ‘+1’ signing will not be made for #ACL2016. #MVFC
— Outside90 (@Outside90) February 10, 2016
Muscat added that as the CSL grows, it is becoming a task of the A-League to expand with it.
“While China’s growing, we’ve got to hold onto their coattails and try to expand and grow with them.
“Who knows what the next decade or 20 years is going to hold for the region.”
Victory open their ACL campaign against Shanghai SIPG at AAMI Park on Wednesday 24 January and will be looking to progress past the group stage of the tournament for the first time in five attempts.
Shanghai are managed by veteran manager Sven Goran Eriksson and finished the most recent CSL season in second place.
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