Derby Drama in Beijing as Four-Horse Field Tightens: The Chinese Football Podcast

The CSL continues to deliver the goods with on-pitch drama and upsets aplenty – the pod start by discussing Renhe’s remarkable 3-0 upset victory in a Beijing derby against a Guo’an side who hadn’t lost since gameweek one. With Shandong also being upset by bottom-dwelling Guizhou, we have a real four-horse race on our hands and tackle the big questions of which sides neutrals should be rooting for and whether Evergrande’s latest blowout victory or Shanghai International Port Group’s last-gasp winner is a better way to build momentum and confidence.

There’s more chance to reflect on the best-fit for foreign players in the CSL – Hebei’s scouting and summer signing gets some credit, but the panel have less time for Clarence Seedorf’s harsh stance on players based in East Asian leagues.

We also wrap-up our earlier discussion on football development and legacy in China – what direction do the experts see the league going in, how successful are efforts to build (or suppress) a deep football culture off the pitch, and just what is the deal with those hundreds of football schools popping up all over the country? All these questions and many more are answered in this week’s recording.

The Chinese Football Podcast is hosted by Wild East Football’s Steve Crooks, joined by Chinese football experts Brandon Chemers in Beijing Cameron Wilson in Shanghai.

Stream the cast using the player above, subscribe on itunes, listen on Stitcher, download or check out other subscription options.

The Chinese Football Podcast is pleased to be sponsored by Football Shirt Memory – the number one CSL shirt retailer in the West. Check out their wares here.

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