Why China Has Put A Ban On Importing Foreign Goalkeepers

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Premier League sides can breathe a huge sigh of relief regarding keeping ahold of their men in between the sticks after news has emerged that the Chinese Super League has banned foreign imports of goalkeepers, 90min reports.

In recent times, China’s economic power and sheer size has led to a number of high profile European players moving over to Asia to play their football in a new environment with a ridiculous wage bracket.

From former Arsenal winger Gervinho (Hebei China Fortune), ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba (Shanghai Shenua) and, most recently, Blues playmaker Oscar (Shanghai SIPG), the Premier League is acting as a stepping stone to the world’s largest growing football division.

But according to the Sun, Chelsea can rest easy knowing that their number one in goal Thibaut Courtois will not be leaving the club to sample the Chinese Super League like Oscar has, mainly because foreign goalkeepers are banned from playing in China.

The ban is based on a very sensible and well thought-out scheme made by the country’s football association – Chinese goalkeepers need to play in order to develop into world class talent, not by sitting on the bench watching the likes of David De Gea and Petr Cech from the sidelines.

In terms of outfield players, it is understood that playing alongside world class European talent on the pitch can only help them massively, but they need to keep the goalkeeping positions free for their own breed of young shot-stoppers.

Introduced in 2001, the policy has so far been a major success for the development of their players, especially goalkeepers.