A reporter asked Zhou Yi how he viewed Hengyuan's money-burning practice, and Zhou Yi shrugged: "I think it's good. Football requires money and requires a lot of money. I don't oppose burning money, as long as it is burned correctly and professionally. In my opinion, the reason why Hengyuan can succeed in the Chinese Super League has a lot to do with the correct professionalism of their money-burning. I admire them very much."

Zhou Yi's answer surprised many people.

Since Hengyuan rose in the Chinese football world, it has been criticized. Some people always look down on their money-burning practices, believing that Hengyuan's boss has used money to tarnish pure football. Even if Hengyuan has won two Chinese Super League championships, everyone thinks that they are nouveau riche and have no championship background, and are definitely not a wealthy family. Some people think that Hengyuan's boss invests in football is a political investment, which is a practice that the superiors like, and is despised.

You should know that when Hengyuan Group acquired the Guangzhou team, its boss said that he would win the top league championship in China within three years and the AFC Champions League within five years. He was ridiculed and thought it was a joke told by an outsider who didn't understand football.

As a result, Hengyuan rose from the China League One to the Chinese Super League in just one season.

Even so, it has not been able to change everyone's inherent impression of them.

After Hengyuan was promoted to the Super League, when Beijing TV reported on the new season of the Chinese Super League, the Beijing media mocked Hengyuan's "burning money" approach, and some words were still very unpleasant.

This TV station made some "guessments" for Hengyuan's signings: First, the players introduced must get angry when they meet the Chinese Super League giants, and even if they see teams such as Shandong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin, they will be furious.

Second, the players introduced must be expensive, and it doesn’t matter whether they can be used or not. The key is the price. After spending so much money, fans must remember who paid the money.

Third, the players introduced must be famous, and it doesn’t matter whether they can play or not. The key is that as soon as the player takes action, all the fans are amazed: “Wow, he’s here!” The one that follows must be “Hengyuan is so rich.”

Finally, he sarcastically said that Hengyuan's boss's original "bold words" were: "If this happens, Hengyuan's goal should definitely not be the AFC Champions League, right? Play well, it depends on you in the Club World Cup!"

Hengyuan has now won two Chinese Super League championships and is in good momentum in the AFC Champions League this season.

But there are still many controversies about Hengyuan. Some people say that they are nouveau riche, but they know that they rely on spending money. If you have the ability, don’t use money. Some people criticize Hengyuan for relying on foreign players, and Chinese players are all foils.

But Zhou Yi gave Hengyuan Club a high evaluation, which of course will surprise everyone.

You should know that Dortmund is not a club that lives by spending money. Bayern Munich has the attitude of "Germany Hengyuan". Logically speaking, as a Dortmund player, Zhou Yi should have no good impression of the "Hengyuan mode".

Although the reporters were surprised, no one digs into this problem. After all, today's protagonist is Dortmund, Zhou Yi, and not Guangzhou Hengyuan.

On the Internet, comments about Zhou Yi praising Guangzhou Hengyuan soon appeared. In the comments below, everyone also mixed opinions about this. Some people thought that Zhou Yi was a smart person and realized very cleanly that the reason why Guangzhou Hengyuan was successful was definitely not just because of burning money. Some people were disappointed with Zhou Yi's statement, but they did not expect that Zhou Yi was also a "money theory".

People who hold these two views are actually those who support and oppose Hengyuan. They simply quarreled in the comment section below the news, which was very lively.

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Zhou Yi doesn't care about what's happening online. He doesn't care about how his words will be interpreted by reporters and fans. He said that if he thinks it's right, he doesn't expect everyone to agree with his point of view.

The competition is more important.

Guangzhou Hengyuan head coach Lippi praised Dortmund's outstanding performance in European football at the pre-match press conference. He thought Dortmund was amazing and Klopp completed a great job.

Then he also focused on Zhou Yi, which is the topic that Chinese media are most interested in.

In the interview, the world-class famous coach "Silver Fox" Lippi had a very high evaluation of Zhou Yi.

"…No doubt, he is a world-class player. It is a blessing that Dortmund can have him. It is also very lucky that Chinese football can have him. If I were the head coach of the Italian national team, I would also very much hope that he could be an Italian, so that I can recruit him into my national team..."

A reporter asked: "What about Sun Pan?"

Lippi smiled and blinked: "Even if Sun Pan is fine, although he is excellent, we already have Buffon."

A burst of laughter came from the reporters.
Chapter completed!