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Former England boss Eriksson expecting more big names in China

Sven-Goran Eriksson is confident the Chinese Super League will continue to attract some of European football's biggest players.

Ambitious Chinese clubs Jiangsu Suning, Guangzhou Evergrande and Eriksson's Shanghai SIPG have recently signed such players as Ramires, Jackson Martinez and Asamoah Gyan while Alex Teixeira set to make his way to Jiangsu this week.

Chinese sides are paying exorbitant fees and wages to these stars and former England and Manchester City manager Eriksson expects it will only keep growing as more players catch wind of the money on offer.

"You can't take away the fact that money is the primary factor," he said.

"Football is on the TV all the time here, not just the Premier League or the Champions League, but all the European leagues.

"It is an emerging league, which is why they are attracting such big names. There will be more to follow."

Regarding the burgeoning Chinese football landscape, Eriksson added: "The Champions League used to be dominated by teams from Japan, South Korea and Australia, but Guangzhou Evergrande (coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari) have won it in two of the past three seasons."

Other famous names currently plying their trade in China include Tim Cahill, Demba Ba, Gervinho, Stephane M'Bia and Fred Guarin with the likes of John Terry, Yaya Toure, Wayne Rooney, Hulk and Oscar being heavily linked with future moves.

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Andrew Slevison
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Andrew Slevison

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