Why former Chelsea stars Drogba and Anelka will not leave China so soon

Chinese media has reported some few days ago that, Shanghai Shenhua is finding it difficult to manage the newly acquired former Chelsea stars Didier Drogba and Nicholas Anelka some few months ago. The duo star who signed for the Chinese outfit for two years respectively are speculated to be released from the club very soon.

A China daily claimed that the chairman Zhu Jun, who retains a 28.5 per cent stake in the club, said he would only be prepared to continue backing the club provided his demands for greater authority are met. Zhu took control of Shenhua in 2007, being one of the six shareholders, he purchase stakes worth up to 18 million euros which was used to buy Drogba and Anelka. The deal was that, after two years his investment would enable him to extend his ownership of the club to 70%. This has failed as the club end up 10th position with only 27 points in the Chinese Super league table of 16 teams. Finishing with 20 points behind league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande.

Although other shareholders have denied involvement in the big spending “It is annoying and has had a bad effect on many of our task,” a club official told the Chinese publication. “The biggest problem is that the operation and financing work of the club cannot be carried out normally. “The equity stakes issue has become the biggest bottleneck for the development of Shenhua.” Zhu may only be willing to pay 28.5% of Shenhua’s expenditure as these disputes arise. This low per cent will likely affects the players potential salaries including Drogba and Anelka. The duo could be culled from the squad, as their reported 240,000 euros contracts may prove unsustainable.

So will Drogba and Anelka be released from Shenhua?

Meanwhile, Shenhua executive has stressed out that, the situation will not affect the future of Drogba and Anelka. “We don’t understand why people link this situation with Drogba and Anelka’s future. It is completely unrelated. “The club has always paid Drogba and Anelka’s salaries in time. “The relationship between Zhu Jun and the remaining shareholders is just fine. They are like a family.” Drogba and Anelka’s salaries have been paid 100%.

The club is in financial difficulties and there are speculations that Shanghai Shenhua might combine with another Shanghai football club - Shanghai East Asia, should the latter be promoted to the top division, the Shanghai brand may be sold off. Some also believe that if the salaries of the two stars are affected, the local government may step in to help foot the bill and avoid any humiliation for the popular football club. So the club will survive and the duo stars will remain in China.

Cyracks Zenda

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