China's under-23 reforms set for Asian examination

This month's AFC Under-23 Championship in Jiangsu province will act as something of a yardstick for the Chinese Super League's attempts to guarantee more first-team soccer to young domestic talent.

Since the start of the 2017 season, clubs have been required to include at least one Chinese under-23 player in their starting lineups, while tougher measures in place for next season will mean the number of foreign players on the pitch at any time cannot exceed the number of local under-23 players.

The likes of winger Wei Shihao, who has just signed for Beijing Guo'an from Portuguese side Leixeos having spent last season on loan at Shanghai SIPG, and defender Deng Hanwen, who last month left Beijing Renhe for Guangzhou Evergrande, continued their upward curve under the new rules last term, with both earning senior caps.