China World Cup player Fan Zhiyi wants more Chinese to follow Zhang’s overseas adventure
Zhang Yuning has just signed for Premier League side West Brom after two years in the Netherlands with Vitesse
China World Cup defender Fan Zhiyi has called for more players from the country to follow in the footsteps of striker Zhang Yuning and test themselves in Europe’s leading leagues.
The 20-year-old is the only member of China’s national squad currently playing in Europe and Fan, who played a key role in qualifying China for their only World Cup appearance in 2002, wants to see more players from the country follow suit.
“For me, they should try,” Fan, who had spells at Crystal Palace, Dundee and Cardiff City during his playing career, told Reuters.
“They shouldn’t only say that I can play in Europe, they should try. There’s a difference.
“If they are good they can stay there, but if they don’t have a chance then they can come back. But they have to try.”
China’s domestic league has experienced a significant influx of foreign talent in recent years, with big-name South Americans such as Oscar and Carlos Tevez moving to the Chinese Super League for huge salaries.