Elkeson, Team China's latest naturalized addition, faces the media with the help of a translator in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, last week. (XINHUA)
Elkeson eyes goals
The addition of Brazil-born Elkeson, who has taken the Chinese name Ai Kesen, should take some of the pressure off Wu up front, with the recently naturalized Evergrande star hoping to deliver plenty of goals.
"I know the Chinese fans have put so much hope in me, and I will repay them with goals," said Elkeson in Guangzhou.
"My target is to score more goals for China and help the team to win. Hopefully we can have a good start."
Elkeson and Wu were strike partners at Shanghai SIPG, with the pair hoping to rekindle the old magic that last season helped the club to its maiden Chinese Super League title.
"Elkeson is significant in any team, and we cooperated so well before," said Wu. "His character could really help us improve performances."
Yennaris, aka Li Ke, who was born in London to a Chinese mother, made history in June when he became the first naturalized player to pull on the red jersey in a friendly victory over the Philippines.
The Beijing Guo'an midfielder looks set to line out against the Maldives on Tuesday, with Lippi indicating he has strong faith in his new foreign-born pair.
"Although they were not born in China, most of the naturalized players have lived and played in China for many years," said Lippi.
"They are familiar with the Chinese players and they know our training styles. I believe once they wear the Team China jersey, they will try their best to fight for the team."
There was mixed reaction to Elkeson's call-up, with some fans concerned about the effect it might have on developing homegrown players.
The Chinese Football Association, however, believes those fears are misplaced.
"Naturalized players can be helpful in order to achieve the short-term goal. It doesn't mean we will naturalize a lot of foreign players－the numbers will be very limited," said Chen Xuyuan, the newly elected president of the CFA last month.
"We will make sure naturalized players are the minority in the Chinese Super League and on the national team. All the fans want the national team to qualify for the Qatar World Cup, and if we can naturalize one or two core players, the possibility of qualifying will increase."
Team China squad to face the Maldives on Tuesday
Goalkeepers: Yan Junling, Wang Dalei, Zhang Lu.
Defenders: Zhang Linpeng, Wang Gang, Zhu Chenjie, He Guan, Gao Zhunyi, Li Lei, Li Shuai, Shi Ke.
Midfielders: Zheng Zhi, Wu Xi, Hao Junmin, Chi Zhongguo, Xu Xin, Li Ke, Yao Junsheng.
Forwards: Wu Lei, Ai Kesen, Yang Liyu, Wei Shihao, Yang Xu, Zhang Xizhe.
