China's astonishing spending spree on foreign players could all end in tears like the United States' first foray into building a football league in the 1970's, according to Brighton chief executive Paul Barber. Barber, whose side are on course for promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history, said the China Super League could be just 'lightning in a bottle'.
Chinese clubs have acquired the likes of Argentinian star Carlos Tevez - reportedly on a record 38 million euros ($40 million) a season - and splashed out a reported 60 million euros on Chelsea's Brazilian forward Oscar.
However, with a a few days remaining in the Chinese transfer window major deals have largely dried up after the announcement of salary caps and other curbs in January. Barber, who revealed Chinese clubs had come calling at his club's door regarding several of their players but they rejected them out of hand, said the galling experience of the North American Soccer League (NASL) should serve as an example to China. "When I went to (MLS club) Vancouver Whitecaps Bob Leonarduzzi was the president," Barber told a small number of journalists including AFP after speaking at the Sports Industry Breakfast Club sponsored by BT Sport.
"He was one of Canada's most capped players appearing at the Olympics and the World Cup and had played in the heady days of the NASL when the Whitecaps had emerging players such as Frans Thijssen, Peter Beardsley and Bruce Grobelaar. "However, the league also had Bobby Moore and Pele who were amazing players.
"Bob coined the phrase the NASL was like lightning in a bottle as in it was bright and attractive and people couldn't help but be fascinated by it.
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