Kuala Lumpur: As the AFC Champions League 2016 Group Stage comes closer, lets take a look at one of the competition's key players, Jiangsu FC's Wu Xi.
KEY PLAYER: WU XI – Jiangsu FC
AFC Champions League Record
Appearances: 12
Goals: 0
PROFILE
A defensive midfielder who has recently been named Jiangsu FC’s captain for the forthcoming season, Wu Xi is leading the big-spenders into an exciting new era after the marquee signings of Brazilian duo Alex Teixeira and Ramires.
Wu was part of the China squad that qualified for the quarter-finals at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia and even scored a rare goal in the 2-1 group stage win over Uzbekistan before their eventual elimination to the hosts.
Back home, the holding midfielder’s club side endured an underwhelming league campaign, finishing ninth in the standings, although fine individual performances did see Wu himself make the Chinese Super League Team of the Year.
And after helping Jiangsu win their first ever Chinese FA Cup last year to book a return to the AFC Champions League for the first time since 2013, Wu will look to be the driving force steering them towards a first ever knockout stage appearance.
IMPORTANCE TO TEAM
While the new additions will likely add flair to Jiangsu’s continental campaign, Wu’s steadiness in the middle of the park will be equally important to the Nanjing-based side.
And a consistent performer donning the captain’s armband is exactly what the Chinese FA Cup winners need to make their way out of a tough looking group that includes 2006 winners Jeonbuk Motors, FC Tokyo and Becamex Binh Duong.
ONES TO WATCH
Jiangsu became one of the most talked about clubs in the world last month with the marquee signings of Brazilian stars Ramires and Alex Teixeira, and the South American superstars should bring some Samba style to eastern China. Australian defender Trent Sainsbury may not have made as many headlines but the talented centre-back will be just as important to Jiangsu’s success at the 2016 AFC Champions League.
Source: the-afc.com