Not easy job in Chinese league, even for German top scorer

Former Borussia Dortmund top scorer Lucas Barrios may have found plying his trade in Chinese Super League won't be as easy as he had assumed, after he was presented by Guangzhou Evergrande to local fans and media at a press conference on Monday.

Despite the enthusiastic fans, the demanding target set by Evergrande owner and the critical media offered a welcome that gave the Paraguayan striker mixed feelings.

Barrios quickly got to know that his place in the starting line-up would not be guaranteed despite his record transfer fee of 8.5 million euros.

"Lucas need time to build his form, we have 4 or 5 good forwards, and you will see what they can produce in months," said Italian coach Marcello Lippi when asked whether a place is reserved for Barrios.

Dario Conca, Muriqui and Cleo, Evergrande's super trio, have combined for 26 goals in 18 matches this season and are considered as the sharpest attacking combination across Asia. But still, one of them is set to leave due to the limit on the number of foreign players.

"We aim to become Chinese champions in three years, and then Asian champions in five years," club owner Xu Jiayin said two years ago when he bought the team after they were relegated to the second division over match-fixing.

It was doubted by many because never had a team won the league title in their debut season in the top flight. But history was made as Evergrande won the Chinese Super League last season so dominantly that they were 15 points ahead of runners-up Beijing Guo'an.

Guangzhou Evergrande also edged last year's AFC Champions League runners-up Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in their debut at the continental competition and then progressed through the "Group of Death" which also included Japan's Kashiwa Reysol to make the last 16.

Despite all these glorious victories, South Korean coach Lee Jang-Soo was sacked last month to make way for Lippi.

"The club will never be satisfied before they reaches the real top, this is their philosophy," said the 56-year old South Korean.

"The team will embrace a rapid change considering the owner's ambition, even if you have done a good job," he added.

Barrios certainly has known the story as Conca is a close friend to the Argentine-born Paraguayan.

"Dario told many stories of the club--their ambition and the way they run, I believe it is a special brand new challenge for me," said Barrios.

"Scoring is never an easy job, no matter in any leagues. I will do my best to help the team," he added.

The 27-year old realized that he had to make full stretch to avoid that jeopardy.

Besides Guangzhou Evergrande, other Chinese clubs are also becoming more and more demanding on their foreign players.

Last week, Shanghai Shenhua's Nicolas Anelka found himself in a dangerous position after Argentinean coach Batista took over the team deep in the hot water.

Despite a disappointing goalless performance, the former Real Madrid and Chelsea best scorer is facing intense blame as he has not devoted himself but kept challenging the coach and club.

"If Anelka came to China two years ago, he would become everyone's idol. A different time, isn't it?" Pan Weili, a senior football reporter said.