Antonio Conte: Chinese football is a danger for all teams

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says Chinese club’s spending power has become a danger to global football.

Antonio Conte has admitted that China’s spending power is a serious threat to all Europe’s elite league and clubs. Recently Chelsea playmaker Oscar was linked with a move to Chinese club for a record transfer.

As per reports Oscar will move from Chelsea to Chinese club in January and will become Chelsea’s biggest ever sale. It is understood Oscar will also sign a contract worth £350,000 a week after tax with André Villas-Boas’s team. The previous record was the move involving David Luiz who joined Paris Saint‑Germain in 2014.

Chinese Super League clubs have spent more than £300 million on foreign players in 2016. Chelsea boss Conte believes this as a danger for all teams in the world.

“The Chinese market is a danger for all,” said Conte. “Not only for Chelsea, but all the teams in the world. But I think we must concentrate on our work, not think that in China there is a lot of money and they can arrive to take the players there.”

“Oscar is a really good player. I was very proud to have him in my squad and to have him as my player. I’m proud of his attitude, his commitment and his behaviour, which have been fantastic, and I have great respect for every decision made by a single player.”

“But if you ask me: ‘Are you sorry?’ then yes, I am sorry to see him leave because a really good player, and a really good man, is leaving the club. I must be honest about this. But also I understand his decision.”

Conte was also asked about Oscar’s move to China, but he refused to confirm the deal. “I don’t know exactly the amount, or the situation. Now we have to wait – when it is the moment you will knows,” said Conte.