Belgian newspaper HLN have found some really interesting quotes, well, a rant basically, from a Dalian Yifang player about Yannick Carrasco.
The former Atletico Madrid attacker has made no secret of his desire to leave Chinese football. He wanted to do so in the January transfer window and has spoken out on several occasions about his hopes since.
Arsenal were linked in the winter market and have been again, pretty strongly. Under a week ago we covered claims that personal terms have been agreed between the Gunners and their potential signing, it’s just the matter of agreeing a fee with the Chinese club.
The comments from goalkeeper Yu Ziqian were made on social media, and he’s quoted by HLN as saying: “Ever since you are back, you don’t even move in training. During matches within the squad you stand there for a bit. You don’t attack, you do’t defend either. The atmosphere in training is completely ruined.
“No matter how important a player is, he can never place himself above the team. When we played against Shanghai Shenhua, you deliberately picked up your fourth yellow card so that you were suspended against Shanghai SIPG and could return to Europe earlier.
Interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich is once again referenced, and the London club will be waiting with open arms for a signing which they’ll hope could represent good value.
There could be an issue ahead.
Dalian won’t want to look like they’ve been walked all over, so perhaps Carrasco needs to get his head down for a couple of weeks, and put some good PR out there.
Because rather than decide to sell him for a cut-price fee, there’s every chance Dalian would make his life as difficult as possible as a lesson to others who may feel they can use the club to boost their bank account and then not be fully committed.
If Arsenal contacts remain open, some inter-club diplomacy could also help.
