In the U20 national soccer tournament, China's young players lost to South Korea in overtime and finished in the last eight, missing the chance to enter the World Youth Championship. Nevertheless, their heroic fighting spirit won the praise of countless Chinese fans. Now, we are looking forward to their future growth trajectory, will they continue to climb, or gradually fall silent?
Future Stars of Chinese Football, 2003
Players born after January 1, 2003 are considered part of the U20 national soccer team according to the age criteria for the U20 Asian Cup. Among them, there are 11 players born in 2003 and 11 born in 2004, almost half each. It is worth mentioning that Peng Xiao, born in 2005, also became a member of this team.
The average age of these young players is only 20 years old, with 19- and 18-year-olds making up the majority of the players, and the youngest is even only 17 years old. However, the tenacious fighting spirit and tactical execution they showed on the field made people marvel that they are more mature than their actual age and full of expectations for the future.
Although this is not the strongest squad in the U20 age group, with talented players such as He Xiao Ke, Liu Guobao, Liu Shao Ziyang and Jia Bo Yan not selected this time around, it doesn't mean they don't have a chance in the future.
However, the reality that we must face up to is that there are less than 500 players to choose from in the U20 national soccer team selection, and even fewer players with real strength. Therefore, how to protect and nurture these valuable seedlings has become the focus of our attention.
Two Paths to Development
Ages 18-20 are a critical time in the development of professional players. Although these young players look young, they must seize the time without delay. Abroad and in Europe, many players in this age group have been able to play consistently in leagues and even make the national team.
For these young stars, one of the most important ways for them to grow is to get their feet wet at a Premier League club and get more playing opportunities and workouts.
Around 10 of the 23-man squad for the U20 Asian Cup had featured in last season's Chinese Super League. Captain Efirdin, a key player for Guangzhou, made 15 starts and three assists in 23 CSL matches. Mutalifu's outstanding performance was also not possible without the workout of 22 games, 14 starts and 3 goals in the Chinese Super League. He is also known as the Gemini star of Chengdu Chengdu. Baiheramu did not play in the Chinese Super League, but made five starts in six games in the AFC Champions League.
I am sure that after their excellent performance in the U20 Asian Cup, they will be given more opportunities in the new season of the Chinese Super League and become a major force in more music departments in the next two to three years for steady progress and improvement and to move up to a higher level of the national team.
Apart from the Chinese Super League, studying abroad is also an important path to growth. Although several highly regarded overseas youths did not get Antonio's favor this time around, it must be acknowledged that studying abroad can improve the knowledge and level of both young players and adult internationals, and is the only way for Chinese soccer to develop.
Li Hao, a gritty goalkeeper, is about to join Atletico Madrid, and Efirdin has caught the attention of European teams. Players, including Mutalifu and Byhramu, should also go out to see and be influenced and trained at a higher level of professional soccer if they have the opportunity to study abroad.
With new and old in the National Football League, top students can skip a grade to make the team
After the U20 Asian Cup, Efirdin, Byhram and Hu will improve the Olympic team in preparation for the U23 Asian Cup and Olympic qualifiers. Yankovic, who became the national soccer coach, also emphasized the importance of replacing the old with the new, with more Olympic and Asian players coming into the national team in the future.
The U20's "top students" like Efeldin, Mutalifu, and Bayram, who have very distinctive technical characteristics, could actually be promoted even more boldly. Taking advantage of the critical upward phase of their careers, they will be recruited to the adult national team earlier, see more of the world, and bring more challenges and competition to their big brothers.
At the end of the day, I just hope that these young players thrive and keep popping up in the future instead of disappearing like so many of their predecessors!
