HONG KONG (Reuters) - China World Cup defender Fan Zhiyi has called for more players from the country to follow in the footsteps of striker Zhang Yuning and test themselves in Europe's leading leagues. "For me, they should try," Fan, who had spells at Crystal Palace, Dundee and Cardiff City during his playing career, told Reuters. The country's best talent has also benefited financially, with national team players seeing increases in the amounts they can earn as clubs seek to ensure the best Chinese players remain at home. "I think Zhang Yuning will be ok because he was in the Dutch league for two years," said Fan, who was named Asia's Player of the Year in 2001. But I think he's ready because he's had two years' experience in the Dutch league.

Source: The Star July 31, 2017 06:56 UTC