Recently, the Asian Cup preparation list was unveiled, but not the figure of non-native naturalized players such as Aixon, Fernando, Alan and Luo Guofu, who may bid farewell to the national team stage completely. Observing their recent situation, Alain returned to Brazil after few opportunities to play, and has been released from his contract with his old club. Although Fernando returned to the Chinese Super League, but failed to secure a starting position, Ickerson in Chengdu's goal scoring efficiency is still good, but in the national team is repeatedly mute, which may be the key to their failure to consecutive World Cup qualifiers and the Asian Cup.
Among this group of naturalized players, Lo Guofu's form was relatively respectable, as he had an outstanding performance with Brazil's Club America Mineiro, scoring consecutive goals. However, a serious injury kept him out of the Barclays Premier League for half the season. According to the Brazilian media, in September this year, Luo Guofu received an invitation from a Chinese Super League team to return to the league after his contract expired. Many Chinese fans expected him to find his form in the Chinese Super League and improve the attacking power of the national soccer team, just as Iverson did. However, Luo Guofu politely declined the offer and is planning to extend his contract with America Mineiro or consider joining other Brazilian leagues.
In my opinion, Luo Guofu's refusal reflects that naturalized players have doubts about the overall level and competitiveness of the Chinese Super League. They prefer to stay competitive in a high-level league, and naturalized players like Luo Guofu, who have reaped the rewards of the golden dollar era, do not rely on playing for the national football team to make a living. In fact, the relationship between the naturalized players and the national football team is more like a kind of employment, and they do not have a high level of recognition of the Chinese culture and the level of local players. Without a good financial reward, they may never play for the national soccer team. Luo Guofu's refusal means that Jankovic will lose the Brazilian striker in the Asian Cup, and the burden of scoring for the national soccer team will once again fall on the shoulders of local players such as Wu Lei and Wei Shihao.
However, the refusal of naturalized players such as Luo Guofu has put the CFA in an awkward situation. Originally, the FA hoped that they would return in order to strengthen the national team and achieve good results in the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers. But the reality has given the FA a resounding slap in the face. The FA must realize that the naturalization plan has failed, and the fundamental way to improve the level of Chinese soccer lies in strengthening youth training and cultivating more outstanding soccer talents.
