China’s Teenage Talents to Embark on ‘Bundesliga Dream’
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) and Bundesliga International have joined forces to provide an exciting opportunity for China’s brightest young prospects to elevate their game in Germany. As part of the Bundesliga Dream project, a select group of talented players from China’s Under-16 national team will undergo training at various youth academies of Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to play against youth teams from across Germany between February and March next year.
The Bundesliga has previously hosted the national youth teams of Thailand and Indonesia, showcasing its commitment to supporting local soccer associations in youth development.
The decision to focus on the Under-16 team was driven by FIFA’s recent announcement to change its Under-17 World Cup from a biennial to an annual event. With the Asian zone qualifiers for the tournament starting in October next year, the CFA saw this initiative as an ideal way to enhance the young players’ development and boost China’s performances in the qualifiers.
CFA President Song Kai emphasized the importance of training and interacting with athletes of the same age group in Germany. He believes that this experience will not only contribute to the players’ individual growth but also raise the overall level of performance in the Asian zone qualifiers.
The specific clubs that the Chinese Under-16 players will be assigned to are still being finalized by the German league. However, the players can anticipate tailored training plans that focus on critical in-match scenarios, such as transitioning from defense to attack.
Peer Naubert, Chief Marketing Officer of Bundesliga International, expressed the primary objective of exposing the players to the standards and demands of a world-class soccer powerhouse. The comprehensive curriculum devised for the players will cover technical, tactical, and physical aspects of the game. Each club will also offer a week of training matches to further enhance their skills and provide invaluable experience.
The Bundesliga has a strong tradition of welcoming Asian players, attracting more players from Asia in the past 20 years than the other top four European leagues combined. South Korean striker Son Heung-min, who excelled at Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen before joining Tottenham, stands as one of the league’s biggest Asian success stories. Furthermore, a number of Chinese players, including Shao Jiayi and Yang Chen, have enjoyed successful stints in the Bundesliga.
Bundesliga International established a permanent office in Beijing in 2019, and five Bundesliga clubs now have offices in China, surpassing other European leagues in their engagement with the country.
Bundesliga Dream China marks a significant step aimed at nurturing Chinese talent and creating a long-term pathway for Chinese players to thrive in Germany. The collaborative efforts between the CFA and Bundesliga International highlight the commitment to reinvigorating Chinese football from grassroots levels and fostering international exchanges.
In addition to providing young players the chance to train in soccer powerhouses like Germany, the CFA plans to facilitate the involvement of international youth coaches in China. The exchange of technical and tactical skills through sending Chinese coaches abroad is also part of the CFA’s strategy to strengthen domestic football.
CFA President Song stressed the importance of patience, dedication, and perseverance from professionals working in youth football. Their efforts form an integral part of the sport’s development in China, ensuring stable and substantial growth for the future.
By focusing on nurturing young talents across all age groups and embracing external collaborations, the CFA aims to revitalize Chinese football and bring forth a new era of success on the international stage.
