Fellaini launches Chinese Football Dream for Everton FC

Fellaini & Snodin at the launch

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Marouane Fellaini has taken time out from his summer break to help Everton launch an exciting new football development project in China.

The 24-year-old midfielder arrived in Beijing last week before attending a press conference for Chinese Football Dream (CFD) – a scheme designed to recruit and develop footballers aged 14-17.

Essentially a talent search, CFD will travel the length and breadth of the country across the next six weeks with the specific aim of finding some of the finest young players China has to offer.

Once identified, the candidates will be given the chance to compete for a place in a European-based training camp where they will be nurtured by leading youth development coaches.

Fellaini said: “I am delighted to be involved with Chinese Football Dream. My club spoke to me about this some time ago and I hope I can pass on my experience and enthusiasm to the players.

“It is difficult being a young player trying to make your mark in the game. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment to succeed, but you also need good coaching.

“I have had the benefit of good coaching since I was a young player and they are the people players must listen to and take advice from.”

Joining Fellaini in China was International Academy Ambassador, Ray Hall, who will head up the coaching programme.

Hall will be assisted by Steve Darby - a man with plenty of experience of coaching in Asia and formerly assistant to Peter Reid while he was boss of the Thailand national team.

Hall added: “We hope the talent is there for all to see. From what I understand - and from what I have seen in the early stages - the potential is huge.

“We are looking forward to working with our Chinese counterparts and hopefully we can provide a platform and lasting legacy so youth football in China can continue to grow and grow.

“At Everton we have been fortunate enough to work with some of the best young talents playing in the game, and with the right coaching and infrastructure, you would hope over time our success could be replicated in leagues such as here in China.”
Following the media briefing, Fellaini was out on the training pitch with some of the candidates to try out the exercises and drills the Chinese Football Dream coaches will use to identify the best players.

Goodison Park hero Ian Snodin was also part of the travelling Blues party and was quick to offer his encouragement and endorsement to the project.

He added: “Our job here is to identify and develop the best young players. So far we have been pleased with the standard and hopefully it is a sign of things to come.

“The opportunity this provides for young players is to experience the methods being employed at top clubs like Everton and it is something many of these boys would never have dreamed might happen. It’s a great chance for them and one we all hope they take.”

Everton fans across the world can keep up to date with developments from Chinese Football Dream on evertonfc.com.