" WHO IS REALLY TO BLAME FOR RISE OF CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE "

Tonight we have heard that Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been offered a deal worth £30m a year from a Chinese club. What has already started to follow is a dispute between Costa and Chelsea Football Club, as the club seek to desperately hold on to one of their key players. It seems inevitable that Costa will make the move, either this month or in the close-season.

But the rise of the Chinese Super League and the high-profile players leaving Premier League clubs was built by the Premier League itself.

For a long time now, the top clubs in England have been offering silly money for players across the world. German and Italian clubs have admitted they can't compete with these clubs in a financial aspect. Ironically, Roman Abramovich's purchase of Chelsea Football Club was a key part in this.

It's not just the likes of Paul Pogba, but even your standard Premier League player has been going for vast amounts. Just today, we have seen Crystal Palace spend over £12m on Jeff Schlupp.

Even in the second tier of English football, this has proven to be the case. Middlesbrough brought in Jordan Rhodes for a reporter £11m last season. Even ourselves, Cardiff City, signed Andreas Cornelius for £8m - a player who barely featured during his short stint in the Welsh capital. Also with us, Kenwyne Jones was being payed nearly 40,000 a week:

Why am I pointing out these facts which we all already know?

Well, I continue to see fans of UK clubs criticise the Chinese clubs who are offering these wages to players. But they were all happy to see their own clubs spend huge sums and substantial wages to players.

Some may not enjoy hearing it, but the truth of the matter is that the rise of the Chinese Super League is simply by following the lead of English football. Maybe now is time for a huge change in football in our leagues, but I highly doubt it while the TV money is at the level it is.

But for the good of football, things need to change.

Market forces will always dictate.

If players want to go to China then good luck to them. The chances of the Chinese super league ever becoming bigger than European football is slim IMO. When Costa goes it gives another player a chance to shine and he will soon be forgotten. Meanwhile those chasing the money like Costa and his Chelsea pal Oscar will be stuck in a hopeless league which will never recreate the competitiveness and atmosphere of European (or British football).

If players want to go to China then good luck to them. The chances of the Chinese super league ever becoming bigger than European football is slim IMO. When Costa goes it gives another player a chance to shine and he will soon be forgotten. Meanwhile those chasing the money like Costa and his Chelsea pal Oscar will be stuck in a hopeless league which will never recreate the competitiveness and atmosphere of European (or British football).

On this one I would disagree Tony.When the Premier league was set up the European standing joke was"when you can't cut it in Europe any more you can always get good money in this new premier league".Now thats been stood on its head.Even if its not regarded as a spectacle in this country they'll get millions following it in south east Asia and in 10yrs time it'll probably be as strong as any European league.Anyway,if the premier league are priced out of all the top stars at least more youngsters will get a chance.

Tonight we have heard that Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been offered a deal worth £30m a year from a Chinese club. What has already started to follow is a dispute between Costa and Chelsea Football Club, as the club seek to desperately hold on to one of their key players. It seems inevitable that Costa will make the move, either this month or in the close-season.

But the rise of the Chinese Super League and the high-profile players leaving Premier League clubs was built by the Premier League itself.

For a long time now, the top clubs in England have been offering silly money for players across the world. German and Italian clubs have admitted they can't compete with these clubs in a financial aspect. Ironically, Roman Abramovich's purchase of Chelsea Football Club was a key part in this.

It's not just the likes of Paul Pogba, but even your standard Premier League player has been going for vast amounts. Just today, we have seen Crystal Palace spend over £12m on Jeff Schlupp.

Even in the second tier of English football, this has proven to be the case. Middlesbrough brought in Jordan Rhodes for a reporter £11m last season. Even ourselves, Cardiff City, signed Andreas Cornelius for £8m - a player who barely featured during his short stint in the Welsh capital. Also with us, Kenwyne Jones was being payed nearly 40,000 a week:

Why am I pointing out these facts which we all already know?

Well, I continue to see fans of UK clubs criticise the Chinese clubs who are offering these wages to players. But they were all happy to see their own clubs spend huge sums and substantial wages to players.

Some may not enjoy hearing it, but the truth of the matter is that the rise of the Chinese Super League is simply by following the lead of English football. Maybe now is time for a huge change in football in our leagues, but I highly doubt it while the TV money is at the level it is.

But for the good of football, things need to change.

Spot on. How ironic that Chelsea fans are complaining about players money grabbing!

A loathsome club with scum fans let the turkey go to China.What is he going to do for 15 hours a day?Costa refused to learn english apparently & he is an arrogant tw*t to boot.

Vincent Tan!

(Well, I thought I'd get it in before someone else did)

On a serious note, I don't think anyone is 'to blame' directly. More a case of the Premier League reaping what it sowed and the tide is just turning a little right now; just as it did with cricket's IPL a few years ago

Surprised that Tan hasn't jumped on this bandwagon yet; and with the big players being persuaded to go over there, it could give more home grown players a better chance.

The Chinese president is a huge footy fan, that coupled with the biggest industries in the world and it's competitive nature, it is only going to grow even further. Being a city fan exiled in shanghai, it is great to have Carlos tevez join shanghai shenhua, who I have a season ticket for, join the blue side of shanghai. The atmosphere is good at games, although the play is on a par with championship football. With a bit of luck, Diego costa will join shenhua, as I am told he is due for a visit in the next month, just hope he does not go the the west side of shanghai which is SIPG and red!

Market forces will always dictate.

agree, nothing new here football has always been money driven