The growth of football in Asia and how it may benefit Brighton

Although it’s yet to assert itself in the footballing world, there’s scope for Asia to become a leading player in the sport in future years.

That said, presently, few can argue that the world’s largest continent isn’t showing signs of progression from a football standpoint. But, make no mistake about it, football is on the rise in Asia, and that’s something that Brighton can look to take advantage of throughout the next decade and beyond.

In the 21st century, numerous Asian players have established themselves in top-flight domestic competitions and in European tournaments.

This breakthrough is something that several Premier League clubs have recently sought to take advantage of, most notably Liverpool and Tottenham. So, with the continent’s football profile likely to grow further, how can Brighton use this progression to their advantage?

Local Progression and Much-Needed Investment
Before considering how growth in this market can benefit Brighton, it’s worth analysing the factors behind football’s development in Asia. At the forefront of the sport’s local progression, the expansion of the J1 League has been pivotal in heightening audience figures.

In 2005, the J1 League, Japan’s top-flight division, expanded from 16 teams to 18. Since then, efforts to entice global audiences have been made via social media.

According to the Japan Times, the league’s official Twitter account has produced an array of English-language content, which sparked an increase in worldwide engagement.

In China, the Chinese Super League has battled to challenge the pre-existing hierarchical order of world football. For decades, European leagues have dominated the sport, but increased investment has raised the profile and attractiveness of football in the country.

Spending habits from 2017 reflect how the CSL has sought to establish itself as a predominant league. As per figures from World Football Summit, Chinese clubs spent around £480 million on players back in 2017, signing the likes Cedric Bakambu and Javier Mascherano. More recently, the CSL has also attracted Anderson Talisca and Yannick Carrasco.

Interestingly, it isn’t only on the field where the market has taken significant strides forward. In India, advancements have taken a digital approach, with the sport now being a focal point at many of the best sports betting sites within the South Asian country.

For example, through the operators listed at Asiabet, users can bet on numerous leagues, such as the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, and Serie A, along with accessing betting tips.

The various platforms accept several different currencies, including the Indian Rupee, which encourages local players to view the available markets and demonstrates the popularity of football in India.

Scope for Brighton to Take Advantage of an Evolving Market
Having touched on the growth of football in Asia, how beneficial could this be to Brighton? Well, scouting the ever-growing market within the continent opens the door to a whole host of recruitment opportunities, which may save the Seagulls a significant amount of money.

Take Takumi Minamino, for example. In 2015, the attacker left Cerezo Osaka for around £720,000 to join RB Salzburg. After just under five years in Austria, the Izumisano-born player joined Liverpool for £7.65 million.

Although it’s easy to look back in hindsight now, Minamino was regarded as one of Japan’s most promising players, and biting the bullet would have paid dividends.

The same argument can also be made for Hwang Hee-chan, who would have suited Graham Potter’s style of play, while also giving the Seagulls the ruthlessness that has long been lacking offensively.

Perhaps targeting players earlier in their careers will stop Brighton from making costly mistakes in the transfer market. Since joining the club for £17 million, Alireza Jahanbakhsh has scored just two goals for the Seagulls.

Now, the Iranian is reportedly on the brink of departing for the Ajax. Although difficult to accept, this failed transfer will teach Brighton a lesson.

While they were right to take a chance on the player, the Seagulls should cut out the middleman and buy directly from Asian clubs, much like Salzburg have successfully done on repeated occasions.

Invest Wisely and Asia’s Growing Market Will Present Profitable Opportunities
Through enhanced investment, local expansion, and global audience engagement, Asia’s leading divisions have now piqued the interests of football fans.

In terms of the future, clubs within the continent are working towards building their academies. Should their long-term strategies prove fruitful, then English clubs, like Brighton, may benefit from recruiting the next generation of Asian talent.

Ultimately, this is an approach that the Seagulls need to consider in the future, as it will reduce the chances of making another Jahanbakhsh-style error.