24 Oct 2005(Mon)

October 21, 2005 -- Like me, you must get fed up of reading sentences such as the following:

"Also, if they sign a Japanese player he would be good for business, and may attract Japanese sponsors to the club."

Know what I mean?

So how about this for a change:

"If a Japanese club were to sign this player, he would be good for business, as there would be a lot of interest in his exploits back in his home country."

The country in question is China, and the player is...?

Well, I am sorry, I cannot reveal his name at the moment, because he is still playing in China and it would put him in a difficult position with his current employers.

But he's a good player, with lots of international experience, and he wants to play in Japan. I know this because I am trying to help the player's agent arrange a move to the J.League.

I haven't even asked for 10 per cent commission yet, because we are only talking about talks, rather than about a transfer, but I hope the deal goes through.

First, because he's a good, hard player, as I said before, and the Chinese domestic league is a shambles. He deserves better.

Second, I would like to see J.League clubs broaden their horizions on the foreign player front, and try and make more imaginative signings.

I often feel the club front offices are brainwashed by Brazilians, and that experienced agents find naive Japanese clubs easy pickings in terms of selling a player, the quality of which can be third-rate, and the salaries and fees first-rate, on occasions.

While there have been plenty of top-notch Koreans in the J.League, China has not been well represented, although several Chinese have played in Europe, such as Sun Jihai (Manchester City), Li Tie (Everton) and Fan Zhiyi (Crystal Palace among others).

Of course an agent would say such and such a player would be good for business, but in this case it seems very reasonable.

A Japanese club signing a high-profile Chinese player could expect benefits in terms of fan support at home and, possibly, corporate support from Chinese businesses in Japan. On the other hand, the parent company of the Japanese club (for example Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota) could use this player to expand their market in China.

It's a win-win situation, provided the player is good enough to fill one of the three places for foreigners, and I can safely say he is.

Maybe you will hear more of this in the near future, as it's an interesting venture.

And if it comes off, only then will I ask for my 10 percent!

Or maybe 20.

ends