Last month reports emerged that Oscar was being trailed by a Chinese club with whispers of a mammoth £75 million bid. On first glance, one might be inclined to pass it off as a prank or a scoop from a fake website which reported a bid made by someone playing Football Manager.
But what once would seemed ludicrous, did turn quite a few heads with the club fans fearing the worst. After all they had just seen Ramires, all of 28 years of age, pack up his bags and shift out to Asia.
Add to that the recent mass exodus of talents such as Alex Teixeira (26) and Jackson Martinez (29) to China, joining the likes of Gervinho and Demba Ba who have already moved there, the gravity of the situation took a whole new turn.
China has opened their pearly gates and loosened their purse strings in their attempt to break the glass ceiling and climb onto the elite level of world football
Big name players moving far and wide across to Middle East or United States was not unheard of. But what makes this shift an exception from the others is that earlier, players used to migrate at the tail end of their careers.
One last paycheck and a chance to leave a legacy at a growing league. MLS, Qatar League and even Indian Super League have benefited from the presence of the stars of yesteryear.
Now they are moving with years ahead of them at the top and most of the recent transfers plying their trade, or at least being linked to, at top clubs across Europe.
The cream of the crop wants to be in Europe but if the current trend continues, and it looks highly likely that it might, what does that say about the players
No-one will begrudge these players making money and to play in the top leagues at Europe is to earn a more than comfortable living. In a climate where the whole game is moving in a direction of being driven by money, players were the last line of the old guards to safeguard the passion of the fans.
But is all being lost and a mercenary mentality, in ascension for years as it might be, taking over
The one club men are few and far in this day and age and might soon move into extinct species except perhaps in clubs like Barcelona where success seems to be created right from the junior levels.
There have been cases over the years where passion has played second fiddle to competitiveness and quest for success. Thierry Henry left amidst tears to Barcelona after spending years at Arsenal. Fernando Torres, Atletico Madrid’s golden boy and captain at the age of 21, joined Liverpool and then made his way to Chelsea to satiate his need for silverware before returning to his boyhood side.
Their stories will be remembered fondly by fans — one of ours who has done well for himself.
Is football losing its legends and clubs losing their standard bearers
Will we see the likes of Francesco Totti or Steven Gerrards in the future Men who kissed one badge their whole career and arguably underachieved in terms of silverware but considered the goodwill and love of their own as the glory
Unlikely, but only time will tell.
