A full-strength Chelsea squad will tour China next year as part
of its long-term plans to forge links with the world's most
populous nation.
The announcement culminates Chelsea's hosting of China's Olympic
team over the past fortnight on a tour marred by a mass brawl in a
match against Queens Park Rangers.
Chelsea's business affairs director Paul Smith said the Premier
League champions were committed to helping China develop its
football and would tour in the year Beijing hosts the Olympics.
"Team China have been excellent guests and we have really
enjoyed their visit. We hope we have been hosts of a similar
calibre because next year the process will be reversed," he was
quoted as saying on the Chelsea website.
"As part of our commitment to developing football in China,
Chelsea will be touring in China in 2008.
"We will be taking our first team and playing games on the
mainland."
He added that while Chelsea wanted to forge links between the
club and China, it would also aid development of the Chinese
game.
"This is a long term project and Team China is a work in
progress. Hopefully we are witnessing the development of the team
day-by-day."
Chelsea are in partnership with the Chinese Football Association
to train grassroots players, and also have their eye on the
country's huge untapped market.
Last month, it signed an agreement with top Chinese Internet
portal Sina.com to become the first premiership club to set up a
website in Chinese run from China.
Chelsea's involvement in Asia is part of chief executive Peter
Kenyon's plan launched in 2004 to make his club the world's more
recognizable brand in football within 10 years.
It started with a huge shirt sponsorship deal with South Korean
conglomerate Samsung in 2005.
China manager Li Xiaoguang said his side had learned a lot from
its time with Chelsea.
"As we all know, the United Kingdom is the home of the modern
football game," he said.
"As we have had the chance to train in Chelsea Football Club,
our players have had the chance to broaden their horizons and
improve their levels.
"We have laid a wonderful foundation for the 2008 Beijing
Olympic Games."
China's team has spent the past two weeks based at Chelsea's
training headquarters but their tour was overshadowed by a brawl
involving more than 30 players and members of the coaching staff
from both their side and QPR.
Seven Chinese players were sent home with the China Football
Association vowing "strict" punishment.
The rest of the team flies home later this week.
(China Daily via AFP February 14, 2007)