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Southampton pre-season opponents profile: Jiangsu Suning

By Marc Walker

NANJING, CHINA - MARCH 01: Players of Jiangsu Suning line up prior to the AFC Champions League 2017 Group H match between Jiangsu Suning and Adelaide United at Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre on March 1, 2017 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China. (Photo by Visual China/Getty Images)
NANJING, CHINA - MARCH 01: Players of Jiangsu Suning line up prior to the AFC Champions League 2017 Group H match between Jiangsu Suning and Adelaide United at Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre on March 1, 2017 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China. (Photo by Visual China/Getty Images) /
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Southampton play their next pre-season game on Wednesday as they face Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning.

It will be the second game of Southampton’s tour of China following an eventful 3-3 draw with Schalke last Thursday that saw Nathan Redmond, Harrison Reed and Jake Hesketh get on the scoresheet.

The emergence of Chinese clubs with wealthy owners has boosted China’s football appeal and attracted a number of high-profile players to the country’s top leagues, including former Saints striker Graziano Pelle.

Jiangsu Suning have been in the Chinese top-flight for the last nine years and experienced a variety of successful and unsuccessful seasons.

During the last campaign, they finished in 12th place whilst also reaching the Round of 16 stage of the AFC Champions League. Their qualification for this competition came because of a 2nd place league finish in 2016.

Next: Southampton close to signing Man City's Angus Gunn

NANJING, CHINA – MARCH 01: Alex Teixeira #10 of Jiangsu Suning reacts during the AFC Champions League 2017 Group H match between Jiangsu Suning and Adelaide United at Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre on March 1, 2017 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China. (Photo by Visual China/Getty Images)
NANJING, CHINA – MARCH 01: Alex Teixeira #10 of Jiangsu Suning reacts during the AFC Champions League 2017 Group H match between Jiangsu Suning and Adelaide United at Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre on March 1, 2017 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China. (Photo by Visual China/Getty Images) /

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The club turned professional in 1994 and are currently managed by Romanian Cosmin Olaroiu, who was appointed head coach in March. Former England manager Fabio Capello had been in charge for the past season.

Up until 2015, the team was called Jiangsu Sainty but that changed to Jiangsu Suning when the Suning Appliance Group purchased the club and took full control.

They also attract crowds of a similar size to the Saints. In 2017, their average attendance at home games was around 32,600 despite being based at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre which can hold up to 61,000 spectators.

Jiangsu have benefited from the league’s new found riches, and the new wealth helped them to attract some high-profile players of their own. Alex Teixeira and Ramires were signed from Shakhtar Donetsk and Chelsea respectively and add significant quality to their midfield.

The Brazilian duo commanded fees totalling £70m, but homegrown midfielder Xi Wu cannot be underestimated either. The 29-year-old has 49 caps for China and holds the captains armband at the club.

Other players currently on the books of Jiangsu are Australian defender Trent Sainsbury and Cameroon international striker Benjamin Moukandjo. Both are on loans away from the club at the moment though.

Jiangsu’s squad contains talent and they will certainly provide Saints with another good test ahead of a crucial Premier League season.

Following this match, Mark Hughes’ men are confirmed to face Derby County, Celta Vigo and Borussia Mochengladbach, whilst a clash with Dijon during their training camp in France is yet to be confirmed.