Chinese Super League

FORMER Chelsea star Oscar wants to surrender his Brazilian passport in order to represent the Chinese national team.
Current Fifa laws do not allow players to switch international allegiances if they have already played in a competitive match for their country.

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Oscar moved to Shanghai SIPG in January 2017Credit: AFP or licensors
But the 48-cap Selecao star wishes that was not the case.
Oscar, 28, told CGTN: “As far as I can, I can think about, it’s difficult to go to Brazil national team now because I’m here, but in China everyone sees how good I play.
“If in the end, if the China national team need one good midfielder, so I can help if they change.
“I like China but I think the players now, if they go to change the nationality to go to China, they can do better also.”

Oscar left West London for Shanghai SIPG in January 2017, helping the club to its first ever league title in 2018.
And having seen his former team-mate and fellow Brazilian-born player Elkeson become the first ever naturalised Chinese national team player last year Oscar, who last played for Brazil in 2015, is interested in following suit.
Elkeson, 31, now known by his Chinese name Ai Kesen, sacrificed Brazilian citizenship in order to become eligible – and has netted three goals in his first four caps for his adopted nation.
Fellow Evergrande star Aloisio has also been naturalised but is yet to be capped – while London-born former Arsenal midfielder Nico Yennaris, now Li Ke, sacrificed British citizenship to represent the country of his mother.

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Oscar won the last of his 48 Brazil caps in 2015Credit: AFP

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Nico Yennaris (left) and Elkeson (right) sacrificed British and Brazilian passports respectively to represent ChinaCredit: AFP or licensors

China are hoping to qualify for their first World Cup since 2002, having endured a barren spell in international football.
Managed by Marcello Lippi at the time, China came fifth in their World Cup 2018 qualifying group – behind Iran, South Korea, Syria and Uzbekistan.
Now under the stewardship of former Everton midfielder Li Tie, the Dragons have beaten the Maldives and Guam in 2022 qualifying – but also slumbered to a disappointing 0-0 draw in the Philippines and a 2-1 setback against Syria.

Shanghai SIPG’s Hulk shows off his rippling muscles as he works out on the treadmill More

MAROUANE FELLAINI started the season in spectacular style with an eight-minute hat-trick of HEADERS for Shandong Luneng.
With the Belgian’s side 1-0 down to old rival Rafa Benitez’s Dalian Pro in the final few minutes, he stood head and shoulders above the rest to secure the win.

Former Newcastle forward Salomon Rondon had put Dalian in front, with Marek Hamsik also among their ranks.
But they could do nothing to stop Fellaini, whose stunning performance came just weeks after a bout of coronavirus.
Playing as a striker with 79 minutes on the clock, the 32-year-old got on the end of Binbin Liu’s fine cross to head his side level.
In the 83rd and 86th minutes, he produced identical goals by arriving late onto corners from Moises to head home at the far-post.

Fellaini’s teammates were ecstatic at grabbing the win but also looked to be in a state of shock at how the goals came about.
There was still time for Marcus Danielson to notch a consolation for Dalian in the season opener played behind closed doors at their training ground.
The Chinese Super League was forced to wait months to finally begin the 2020 campaign amid the pandemic, which affected Fellaini particularly badly.
The former Manchester United man was hospitalised after testing positive for Covid-19 in March.

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Marouane Fellaini marked the new Chinese Super League season with a superb hat-trickCredit: AFP or licensors

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The Luneng midfielder had spent weeks in hospital after suffering from coronavirusCredit: Alamy Live News

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Fellaini’s teammates mobbed him as he manufactured a huge comeback winCredit: AFP or licensors

When discharged a few weeks later, he thanked Shandong and the medical staff before undergoing a further two-week quarantine.
Fellaini wrote on Instagram: “The time has come for me to thank from the bottom of my heart, the medical staff of the hospital, their nursing staff as well as my club and its medical staff for taking such good care of me with so much kindness and for ensuring my comfort whilst there.
“The hardest part is behind me! Let’s keep fighting, it’s important!”

Fellaini says he’s ‘getting stronger every day’ as he works out in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus More

HULK has long been known for living up to his name but the Brazilian forward is looking extra bulky after lockdown.
In training for Shanghai SIPG’s delayed start to the season, the 33-year-old showed off his huge shoulder and arm muscles.

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Hulk is looking in tip-top condition ahead of his final year with Shanghai SIPGCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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The Brazilian, real name Givanildo Vieira de Sousa, also sported a new do in trainingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
During lockdown, Hulk, who recently made headlines for marrying his ex-wife’s niece, has clearly spent plenty of time with his weights set and, evidently, is yet to visit a barbers.
Fans were also left agasp at the winger’s flowing locks that are a far cry from his usual short back and sides.
Shanghai’s season gets underway on July 25 after the schedule was devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.
However it is set to be Hulk’s last in China after he vowed to consider a return to Europe with a Champions League team.

He told Globoesporte: “My contract ends in December. We already had a meeting and I said I don’t want to extend.
“Now it’s raining proposals from several countries. It’s true that among them are many of Europe’s big clubs, competing in the Champions League, and also Brazil. Even from China, but I don’t want to stay here.

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Hulk, seen here in 2015, has always been bulky but is now very toned

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The player has posted several pictures of his ripped physique onto social media lately

“I’m not putting the ‘money’ factor first. I’m thinking most about where I’m going to be happiest and I’m taking my time, listening to my representatives.
“We haven’t decided on anything yet. The fact is that, in December, I’m free.”

SIPG forked out £45million for the attacker in 2016 after spells with Porto and Zenit St. Petersburg.
And Hulk has been a roaring success in China with the Super League title in 2018 and a tally of 17 goals, plus 10 assists, last season.

Brazil star Hulk ‘marries his ex-wife’s stunning niece in whirlwind ceremony to get visa and stay together in China’ More

ODION IGHALO’S success at Manchester United has led to Shanghai Shenhua re-signing former forward Obafemi Martins.
The 35-year-old is best remembered in the Premier League for spells with Newcastle and Birmingham, but had been without a club for two years.

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Obafemi Martins is ready for a second chance with the Chinese Super League sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Originally leaving Shanghai in 2018, the striker suffered a serious hamstring injury and yet he vowed not to retire.
And his second chance in the Chinese Super League comes amid Shenhua’s need for a striker with Ighalo on loan at Old Trafford until the end of January.
Martins said at his unveiling: “I had been bothered by injuries. It’s a good feeling to come back to a team I’m familiar with.”
Rising to fame with Inter Milan, the Nigerian spent three years at Newcastle before stints in Germany, Russia, Spain and the United States.

He returned to England for a short loan spell with Birmingham in 2011, famously scoring the winner in his side’s League Cup final with Arsenal.
After leaving Shanghai, Martins told the BBC last year: “I love football and I’m still passionate about it, so retirement thoughts haven’t crossed my mind.‬
‪”I cannot rush into the next club because at this stage I can make important decisions for myself and my body.”
Shanghai kick off their season against Guangzhou Evergrande on July 25 after the campaign was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Martins’ most memorable moment in English football came with the winner for Birmingham in the 2011 League Cup finalCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

It is not known how long Martins’ contract with the club is, and it may be linked to Ighalo’s eventual return from Manchester.
The former Watford forward was a shock deadline day signing in January but proved his worth with four goals for United before football’s shutdown.
That convinced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sign up the 31-year-old for an extended stay, with Ighalo currently boasting five goals from 14 appearances at Old Trafford.

Odion Ighalo happy to take £6 million pay cut to join Man United on permanent transfer More