BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Beijing Guoan's new signing Li Ke can well fit into the Chinese national team as the former Arsenal and Brentford midfielder has demonstrated his football prowess, club official told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.
Li, whose English name is Nicholas Harry Yennaris, joined the Chinese Super League (CSL) club in January and has taken Chinese citizenship. He netted in the capital side's 2-1 home win over Henan Jianye a week ago, becoming the first naturalized player to score in the CSL.
"Li Ke came from English Premier League side Arsenal's youth academy," said former Chinese international midfielder Li Ming, now Guoan's general manger. "He's multiple positioned in the midfield and plays high quality football on pitch."
As far as Li Ming is concerned, Li Ke has become one of the best midfielders in the CSL.
"I believed his outstanding performance in Guoan will be recognized and he is in his prime and is capable of playing an important role in the national team," Li Ming said about the 26-year-old.
Li Ming also saw a bright future for another naturalized player in the team. Norway-born midfielder Hou Yongyong, 21, also known as John Hou Saeter, moved from Norway's top league side Stabaek to the Beijing club.
"He is very young and has great potential. I'm sure his ability to read the game and creativity in attacking will pave the way for him to the national team," Li Ming said.
Guoan has claimed six successive victories from as many matches since the new season kicked off on March 1st, but Li refused to lay his back on the good results they achieved so far.
He pointed out the three challenges facing the top-flight team: "Guoan lacks experience in contending for championship. And the newly built team with management personnels, coaches and players are still getting along with each other. Third, more of our players got in the national team, so we have a short squad."
Li's confident to face the challenges, however, saying that winning the Chinese FA Cup boosted Guoan's confidence for this season. "With a more targeted lineup, we are eager for victory," he said.
