CSL clubs respond differently to new "foreign player policy"

China is set to cut the number of foreign players allowed in top-tier teams to bring down the huge spending on the non-Chinese stars, and the teams are demanded to give more chance to the home young players. But the affected clubs are responding differently to the new policies.

Felix Magath, the coach of Shandong Luneng, pointed that the new rules are "definetely right" and will have "positive effects".

"The new policies will offer more opportunities for the Chinese local talents, as well reduce the team's dependency on star foreign players. Maybe the effects will not seen in short term, but it will absolutely benifit the national team, " said the former Bayern Munich manager in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

The 63-year-old German added that he believed Marcello Lippi, the coach of the Chinese national team, would welcome the new policy.

According to a statement posted on the official website of the country's football governing body, the Chinese Football Association (CFA), top-flight Chinese Super League (CSL) teams are still allowed to have a maximum five foreigh players, but only three of them can be registered in match-day rosters when the new season begins in March.

Previously, four non-Chinese players could take the field at one time, including one from an Asian Football Confederation country. But the "Asian quota" will be abandoned under the new policy.

Another new rule is that for all CSL games and second-tier League One games, there should be at least two under-23 players in each team's match-day rosters, one of whom should be included in the starting 11.

The CFA said the measures aim "to benefit the overall development of Chinese football and the local players, to strengthen the quality of the national team and keep the league on a healthy, stable, sustainable track".

However, some clubs have a less positive view of the new regulation.

"Foreign players are our biggest trouble now, because the new rules didn't give us a buffer period. We have five foreign players in the team now, but only three of them can participate the match at one time, which means two will be sidelined," a source from a Shanghai-based club told Xinhua.

"In addition to the loss of money, we have to change our lineup and tactics, maybe more unexpected problems will arise when the season starts," he said.

Chinese clubs broke the Asian transfer record five times in the recent year, as the latest one came last month when Shanghai SIPG reportedly paid Chelsea 61 million euros for Brazilian midfielder Oscar to link him up with his Brazilian compatriot Hulk.

At the same time, SIPG's city rivals Shanghai Shenhua reportedly made Argentina's former Manchester United and Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez the world's highest-paid player.

For many foreign players and clubs, especially those from South America, the eye-catching transfer fees and wages offered by Chinese outfits are hard to refuse.

Su Yuhui, president of the newly-promoted CSL side Tianjin Quanjian, said the new rules came about "all of a sudden."

"The new policy could produce some negative effects on our league, because without those famous international players, the level of the games might decrease. And it will disarray many club's pre-season arrangements, and even cause economic losses, " Su said.

"But for the long term, these policies will guide the clubs to rational investment and scientific management strategies, and the 'young local players' policy will benefit the future generation of talent. Our club will support the introduction of these new rules," Su underlined.

Last year' s League One champions just reportedly spent 20 million euros on 28-year-old Belgium international Axel Witsel, who says the move to China is "the best choice for him and his family."

Many observers noted that the new rules were published in the middle of the winter transfer window, which began on January 1st, and could curb some deals that are already in negotiation. Endit