China aims for World Cup glory with biggest football academy on earth

With more than 50 pitches, 2,500 students and even a giant replica of the World Cup trophy, the Evergrande International Football School is at the heart of ambitious plans to transform China into a footballing superpower

This place looks pretty amazing!

Wish that was my backyard :)........... China just came out of nowhere and are spending ridiculous amounts of money of foreign players seriously is Oscar worth £52 they don't care. But the this football academy is unbelievable with China's population they should be winning the World Cup and they should have the best players in the world, you never know maybe the next Ronaldo or Messi will a product from this academy.

@Aiden I very much doubt that. But hey, at least the kids got a chance to do something with their dreams.

Once China decides to focus on a sport, (and by focus I mean spend more on it than the rest of the world combined) they tend to do pretty well. Sometimes they even change the way the sport is done - things like Olypmic diving are excellent examples. That and they have a very high threshold for performance.

That and they have a very high threshold for performance.

Because they are taken from their families at young ages, schooled to become the best, competing with literally millions of other chinese for it. I've seen footage of little girls competing in gymnastics that are almost being tortured to accomplish greatness.,.

Because they are taken from their families at young ages, schooled to become the best, competing with literally millions of other chinese for it. I've seen footage of little girls competing in gymnastics that are almost being tortured to accomplish greatness.,.

I don't doubt it. Potential ethical questions aside however, the reality is that China is one of the top gymnast-producing nations in the world. Why should we assume that will be any different for soccer in ten, twenty years time?

China is on the move. They have been selling products all over the world and saving money. Now they are moving forward with their plan.

Its think its actually called The Chinese School For Kids Who Can't Football Good and Want to Do Other Stuff Good Too

@Golefty What?

But seriously, this seem pretty cool if a bit over the top. :D

I commend their plans. Although I believe that the pressure the Chinese culture puts on their children often have a negative impact on their mental well-being, the results garnered from it are terrific. If China is able to be a footballing superpower in the future, then kudos to them.

@Dynastian98 Starting to think about watching Chinese football from time to time what with all the European star over there.

@Emo

I'm thinking of starting to watch them, too. But maybe not now. Personally speaking, I think the Chinese league would be great if they had a little time in development. Perhaps in 10-15 years they'd be a good, solid, and entertaining league to watch.

Sunflash pointed the political aspect behind these crazy transfers...
They do not want to sell their league or to make it more attractive, their aim is national side.
Chinese president who is a big Football fan considers Chinese results in Football as an humiliation to his country. They are trying to build their golden generation but to reach high level you need a concrete example for youngsters and that's the main role of the New signings.

They are not deluded, they could splash as much as they want, the league won't be popular overseas and it's already popular in China, these ridiculous amounts is investments on youngsters development. Once they will get a winning formula, Chinese would sell their players instead of buying. And their nation will be reckoned as a powerful nation in Football.

Not only players are attracted, the number of coaches and youth formators are Comming from all arround the world. I think their next generation will give results and I think the following will do even better, thats the Chinese way ethics aside.

I like the idea of 50 pitches in one place. I've always wanted that kind of system to where I live, but with 15-20 pitches. Would allow ppl to join a football game anytime.

@tiki

In a country were you can set aside individualism, such as China, and work with the idea of a collective, it does actually work. I think that in 10-20 years, China will be a legit soccer power. As for the thousands of kids who destroyed themselves attempting to get there? Collateral. And before we are too harsh on China, it isn't that different in other countries. Remember the article that was posted here about Neymar's childhood and teenage teammates?

Yep, actually in term of ethics if they make kids learn other thing than Football in case they do not make it. Then there is nothing we should blame them for it. In France or any other country you quit your family at the age of 12-13 to go in a formation center and you aren't granted to find one near your district. So it won't be scandalous that's high level standards.
But I'm afraid of their long term plan greatness, if They succeed quickly to produce quality players in numbers like in other sports they will dominate the market or get a big part of it wich could change world football standards. Anyway we cant stop them from progressing if they succeed it's up to the world to adapt like we adapted to Brazilian standards in term of technic, an Italian one in term of defense...