Probing the road to naturalization: where do naturalized players go?
In order to leap into the threshold of the 2022 World Cup, the Football Association launched the strategy of naturalized players, however, the results do not seem to be as significant as expected. As the World Qualifiers come to an end, many naturalized players have bid farewell to the Chinese Super League and returned to Brazil. Whether they will be able to return to the national team in the future is still in doubt. Li Ke has been injured, Hou Yong Yong has set foot on the green fields of Europe, and only Delgado and Jiang Guangtai have stayed in the country. However, Delgado's status is still up in the air, and he can only play as a foreigner. 2023 will also see a new move in the FA's policy on naturalized players.
Mystery surrounds new national soccer coach
Li fell into inactivity after the national soccer team missed out on the 2022 World Cup. The duration of his contract with the Football Association is unknown, which has led to a lack of a coach for the national football team for almost a year. Although the team is scheduled to go to New Zealand for a training trip in March, the choice of the coach is still unclear, and the future of the national football team is therefore full of uncertainty. Whether the FA will choose a local coach or a foreign coach will be decided in February.
Can the national team get out of the rut
In 2023, the national football team will mainly face warm-up matches, the Asian Games participation task in September. With Yankovic at the helm, the team has already started training in Foshan, with most of the participating players being Chinese Super League mainstays and potential forces for the national soccer team. The national Olympic team, U20 national team and U17 national team will also participate in the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers in September, the U20 Asian Cup in March and the U17 Asian Cup in June, respectively. With Chinese soccer in the doldrums, it's worth keeping an eye on whether these young national teams can turn the tide against the wind and prove themselves on the international stage.
Women's soccer's three-front battle is challenging
Compared to the men's game, China's women's soccer team has improved significantly, with Shui Qingxia leading the team to the Asian Cup, but this has also raised the profile of the women's game.In 2023, the women's soccer team will be greeted with the Women's World Cup in July, the Asian Games in September, and the Olympic qualifiers in October. With the women's soccer team aiming to advance to the group stage in the World Cup, competing for the title at the Asian Games, and striving for a breakthrough in the Olympic qualifiers, Shui Qingxia and the women's soccer girls will once again have the opportunity to prove themselves.
Youth soccer league continues to grow
In 2022, the inaugural National Youth Football League kicked off with 21 matches at the U13, U15, U17, U19 and U21 levels providing more opportunities for young players to play.In 2023, there needs to be a steady progression of matches at all levels. Only by maintaining continuity can youth players grow more quickly.
Progress of Li Tie's case is in the spotlight
In 2022, former national football head coach Li Tie was investigated for alleged disciplinary violations, followed by a number of top executives of the FA, including former Secretary General Liu Yi and Executive Deputy Secretary General Chen Yongliang, who were also implicated.In 2023, new developments are expected in the case of Li Tie, which involves a number of players and coaches. The outcome of the investigation could have a direct impact on the future of Chinese soccer.
