 |
"I
don't think they will be able to compete with any of the big European
sides," said Shanghai Shenhua's Carlos Tevez about players in the Chinese
league
|
Carlos Tevez may be
reaping the rewards of China's football boom, but believes standards in his new
home fall well below the level he has become accustomed to in a glittering
career.
The
Argentine, who had spells at Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus,
joined Shanghai Shenhua on a then world record €38-million (US$40 million)
salary in December.
However,
despite the millions being ploughed into the Chinese game on the back of
president Xi Jinping's demand for China to become a world force, Tevez hasn't
been impressed with the quality of football he has seen.
"I
don't think they will be able to compete with any of the big European
sides," Tevez told Spanish TV station Movistar.
"Even
if the best players come, I think the football is very different and the fans
treat it in a completely different way as well.
"I
don't think they will get there in 50 years."
Tevez
hasn't done much to impress since arriving in the Far East, scoring just once
from the penalty spot in four matches before being sidelined by injury.
"They
aren't very physical but I think they are very naive," he added.
"Without
meaning to they can do you damage with a kick because they are clumsy."
Yet,
with the government cracking down on the number of foreign players each team is
allowed to sign, Tevez expects big improvements from the new generation of
Chinese players.
"Technically they are not very good, but I think with this new rule that the government have put in, the kids are going to have to start playing and that they will improve a lot."
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