In his article, journalist Chen Hua analyzes the far-reaching impact of Guangzhou Evergrande (now Guangzhou) and Xu Jiayin on Chinese soccer. He points out that Evergrande's contribution at the competitive level cannot be erased, however, certain moves that seem to add to national soccer, such as paying Lippi's salary and bringing in non-blood naturalized players, have had a negative impact.
Chen Hua said in the article, "In fact, at the competitive level, I am full of respect for Guangzhou Evergrande, especially in the period when Liu Yongzhuo was the manager, and I can even say that my respect has reached 120%. Liu Yongzhuo can be called the only person with real professional manager quality in the era of Chinese Super League." Nonetheless, Guangzhou Evergrande has won two AFC Champions League titles and eight Chinese Super League titles thanks to team morale and club management. Regardless of how Evergrande receives its soccer funding, its athletic achievements should be recognized. However, Chen Hua strongly opposes a series of speculative behaviors adopted by Guangzhou Evergrande after its great success in an attempt to cover up its own problems. For example, Evergrande massively intervened in the affairs of the national team at a later stage, paying for Lippi's salary, allowing Cannavaro to serve as coach, and actively organizing the naturalization of non-blooded players. This practice, compared to the club's competitive success, is undoubtedly a transgressive behavior that attempts to tie local interests to national interests. As a real estate company, Evergrande attempted to kidnap the interests of the national team through the means of soccer, which has national influence, but ultimately resulted in a failure to solve the company's own problems. After all, the national team, especially the Chinese national team, belongs to all Chinese people and fans, not to Xu Jiayin or Evergrande. Imagine the consequences if Evergrande-led non-blood naturalized players had actually helped the national football team advance in the last World Cup. Not only might the industry consolidation not have happened, but Evergrande might also have been able to weather the storm in the face of two red line crises in the real estate market. After all, the national team was able to enter the World Cup, Xu boss behind the strategy and investment is how great. Unfortunately, this vision did not become a reality. Fate sometimes plays tricks on people. Nevertheless, Evergrande's success in the field of competition cannot be denied. Whether Evergrande's model has a positive or negative long-term impact on Chinese soccer is a question worthy of academic discussion, and where the conflict within the people lies.
