Li Lei joins Swiss Super League: Challenges and opportunities abound
Li Lei joins Swiss Super League: Challenges and opportunities abound
On his journey with Grasshoppers in the Swiss Super League, Li Lei will not only have to face financial pressure, but also have to overcome the challenges of language and life. Compared to his lucrative salary at home, Li Lei's income in the Swiss league will be drastically reduced, but he has resolutely chosen the path of staying in the ocean in order to improve himself.
Despite the lack of attention in the Swiss league, it has instead provided Li Lei with a more focused competitive environment. With not only Japanese player Jun Kawabe on the team, but also strong players such as Swiss national youth team youngster Schmid and Albanian international Lenjani, Li Lei faces stiff competition.
As one of the best left backs in China, Li Lei is confident of replicating Sun Xiang's success in Europe. He is even expected to join the top five leagues after making a name for himself in the Swiss league to fulfill his professional dream.
The CFA is also actively promoting the stay-at-sea program, hoping that more players can go abroad to exercise and improve their individual abilities. It is understood that more middle-generation and young players will be sent to the European league in the future.
Although Chinese soccer has suffered setbacks in terms of naturalized players, the foreign stay program is still seen as an effective way to improve the overall standard. The CFA will actively liaise with sponsors and brands to provide more support and subsidies for players staying abroad.
Looking back at history, the Chinese Football Association has tried many times to stay in the ocean program, but the effect is not ideal. Nowadays, Chinese soccer is facing new challenges, how to make the program to stay in the ocean really play a role, remains to be seen.
All in all, Li Lei's road to stay in the ocean is full of challenges, but also full of opportunities. Whether he can succeed in the European field is worth our expectation.
