On September 20, well-known soccer commentator Liu Jianhong hotly discussed Evergrande soccer on social platforms, which in turn triggered an in-depth discussion of the entire Chinese soccer system. Liu Jianhong frankly said that Chinese soccer has been caught in a vicious circle, looking forward to the next 20 years, the prospect is worrying.
Liu Jianhong first pointed out that "Evergrande Group as a whole is in trouble, and Evergrande soccer is also in danger as a result. In the past period of time, Evergrande soccer is almost the only bright spot of Chinese soccer, and even became a flag. However, Evergrande soccer is also a typical representative of the golden dollar soccer, and has shaped a distinctive Evergrande soccer model with its unique thinking and action from the very beginning of its birth. To a certain extent, Evergrande soccer does create momentum for the group and generate a huge advertising effect, and from this perspective, the investment of Evergrande soccer is nothing."
"But now, Evergrande Group as a whole has problems, and Evergrande soccer is also facing a crisis. In fact, Evergrande soccer cannot save Chinese soccer. As early as when Evergrande invested in soccer schools, I had clearly expressed my opposition because the cost of a soccer school was as high as $1.2 billion, and I thought that such an expensive soccer school should not be built, but hundreds of soccer schools should be established in Guangdong Province, so as to lay a foundation for soccer in Guangdong Province. However, the considerations of businessmen are different from my point of view. When I saw the environment after the completion of the soccer school, I naturally understood that there must be commercial considerations in the construction of the soccer school." Liu Jianhong continued.
"Today, the crisis of Evergrande soccer actually makes the crisis of Chinese soccer more prominent. After losing Suning Football last year, if we lose Evergrande Football again this year, Chinese soccer has fallen into a vicious circle. On the one hand, the level of our professional league is getting lower and lower, the level of competition, viewing level is lower, and the commercial value is also reduced; on the other hand, we can't cultivate new people from the overall source, so we can only sink step by step in this vicious circle. Why have we not established a perfect youth training system or soccer training system in the past 30 years? This question, I'm afraid, can only be answered by Chinese soccer, but we probably do need to consider the broader aspects of our country's sports system, education system, etc."
Liu Jianhong then said pessimistically, "But one thing is for sure, Chinese soccer is almost hopeless in the next 20 years. Because we don't have a mature youth training system, we can't constantly deliver excellent talents for the league and the national team. Therefore, for a long time to come, we will have to put up with the constant failures of Chinese soccer at all levels, such as the national team, clubs, and the stagnation of the league."
"Then, some people may ask why no emphasis is placed on youth training. Over the past 30 years, the HKFA has emphasized the importance of youth training, but the fact is that no leader has ever really devoted his energy to youth training. Even if the FA wants to invest in it, I am afraid that it can only exercise its power within the scope of the FA. Beyond the remit of the FA, the CFA is also unable to do anything. The current Chinese soccer is really like a scar on the side of Chinese sports: not only is it extremely damaging, but also extremely insulting!"
