takes a look at all the big Chinese news stories from the weekend so you don’t have to. If you haven’t competed our (short!!!) 9 question survey yet, please do so! We are very greatful to all who have helped out and will take all the feedback we get to heart.
–Aleksandar Stanojevic arrived in the capital on Saturday and was unveiled to the media. He said he knows that Shenhua and Tianjin are Beijing’s two biggest rivals and he promised to get results against those clubs. Feedback from the players is that he’s more low key than Jaime Pacheco was and that he’s someone they can work with. The team left for training in Hainan shortly after the new manager’s presser.
–Conca’s efforts to leave Evergrande have been dealt a new blow as the club have nixed reports from Brazilian media stating that he was going to be loaned to AC Milan.
–Kwak Tae-Hwi, Korean international and captain of ACL champions Ulsan Hyundai, is a popular guy these days. He’s said to be weighing up his options and four CSL clubs (Beijing Guoan, Changchun Yatai, Shandong Luneng, and Tianjin Teda) are all said to be interested in signing the 31 year old. Other rumors say that Guoan is very close to signing FC Seoul defender, Hyun Young-Min for somewhere around US$500,000.
–Wuhan Zall’s at it again, buying Jiangsu Sainty youngster Wang Yunlong for RMB300 million. Wang only just joined Jiangsu in 2012, but the 21 year old didn’t get on the pitch much this year. He’s a former graduate of Xu Genbao’s academy and spent time with Shanghai East Asia, who were also chasing him.
–Another day, another managerial target for Shandong Luneng. This time around it’s Argentinian Héctor Raúl Cúper, who is currently in charge of Turkish club Orduspor. The Jinan based club is said to be offering the former Inter Milan and Valencia manager US$3.5 million a year.
–The situation in Dalian is still murky, though it appears Aerbin has signed four of the more desirable Shide players, youngsters Yang Boyu, Zhang Honglue, Li Xueeng, and Wang Xuanhong. They four have been seen training and eating with the Aerbin players and wearing Aerbin training gear. We’ll have more for you on the current situation in Dalian later in the day.
–Hangzhou Greentown is sticking to it’s word, Wang Song isn’t for sale. Despite big money offers from Guangzhou R&F and media reports saying otherwise, Wang is back in training with Hangzhou and the club says he isn’t going anywhere.
–Shandong Luneng will have new digs starting next season. They are leaving the 43,000 seat Shandong Provincial Stadium, which was built in 1988, and moving into the Jinan Olympic Stadium, also known as the “West Willow.” The stadium was built in 2009 for the Chinese National Games and has remained empty since. It has a capacity of 60,000 seats, and with Luneng averaging 20,000 fans last season, that means they’ll be able to double the number of empty seats in 2013.
–While I dare not predict what will happen with Anelka or Drogba this offseason, one thing that I can confirm is that Joel Griffiths will not be returning to Shenhua in 2013. The Aussie has joined his twin brother Adam, formerly of Hangzhou Greentown, at Sydney FC.
–Some photos for you, players can be fans too, check out Evergrande keeper Li Shuai at the Manchester derby. And here are some shots from former Evergrande (and current Wuhan Zall midfielder) Cho Won Hee’s wedding.
Good servant to the league was Griffiths, would have loved if his goal had of won Shenhua the game against Guoan but alas it wasnt to be