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Why So Many Big-Name Soccer Players Are Going to China

July 8, 2017Finance, Money, Sports

Association football (better known as soccer) is, in case you didn’t already know, the world’s most loved sport. In fact, it’s played by 250 million players in over 200 countries around the globe. For centuries, the game has been especially popular across Europe and the Southern Continents of America; more recently, its popularity has been growing exponentially in the United States and China.

In fact, the latter countries sudden interest in the sport is partly thanks to a government initiative (the Chinese government—more specifically, president Xi Jinping’s government—wants China to become a soccer superpower by 2050). Now, many of the most recognizable names in the world are heading there to begin the next stage of their careers; but what is it that attracts names like Carlos Tevez and Alexandre Pato to a country whose level of playing is arguably still in its infancy?

Money

Well, you guessed it. The first big reason is money. Despite the English Premier League offering some pretty substantial monetary compensation (the EPL has an average salary of somewhere around two and a half million pounds, which converts to well over three million dollars), they can’t offer anywhere near the kind of payment that Chinese clubs are dishing out.

In fact, some of the biggest deals being made between the country’s clubs and foreign players are enough to make grown men weep. Carlos Tevez, who famously had a fantastic run at Manchester United, announced back in December 2016 that he would be making the move to Shaingai Shensua this year. He won’t be short of cash in Shanghai, though, because he’ll be earning around £615,000 each week (that’s $779,000, by the way). It’s thought that his time at Shensua will be the last before he retires, and so it makes sense that he does what makes financial sense for himself.

On the other hand, Brazilian football player Oscar also made the switch to China back at the beginning of the year. Being the once much-hyped wonderkid of Chelsea FC, fans felt somewhat underwhelmed by his performance. He managed to score 38 goals in 203 appearances, but parted with the club mutually and in December last year after they received an offer from Shanghai SIPG.

Oscar is quite a unique case in that – unlike most other big names making the switch to China – he is still only 25 and, relatively speaking, in his prime. However, the club paid £60 million for him, and he is expected to take home somewhere around £350,000 per week.

Little Troubles in Big China

It’s not all honey and milk in the Far East, though. One of the big name transfers was Didier Drogba, the Chelsea star who had a fantastic run at the club before signing to Shenhua (Tevez’s new club) for £200,000 per week. It wouldn’t last long, though, as he would make the move to the Turkish Side, Galatasaray, six months later. It’s easy to think that money like that would keep anyone loyal, but Drogba experienced several challenges while playing for Shenua.

The most notable among them, of course, is trying to drag a mediocre team in a mediocre league up the table. Despite his obvious professionalism and enthusiasm, internal conflict between Zhu Jun (the Chinese multimillionaire who owned 28.5% of the club) and the team’s other owners – partly caused by the size of Drogba’s wages – meant that the Ivorian legend had no other choice but to make the switch to somewhere closer to home.

Magic Money Trees

Because Chinese is a booming economy, there’s a lot of money changing hands among the business elites . However, you may (quite rightly) be wondering how that money ends up being funneled into the Chinese Super League. Corporations around the country are bankrolling the teams with almost unimaginable sums of cash, but why?

While investing in soccer might be a sound investment, there is another somewhat more nefarious reason for businessmen to put their dollars into the sport: government kickbacks. In fact, each of the sixteen Super League teams are owned by separate businesses. It’s thought that—because the government has already been explicitly clear about their initiatives and desire for the sport to grow in the country—businessmen are parting with their cash because it’s a way to appease those in power.

As the value of the league continues to grow, so do rumors of corruption. Players, team officials, and even referees have been caught up in scandals over the years. Many were banned for life, and others were sentenced to jail. In fact, several betting companies refuse to take bets on the league, owing to the ostensible endemic running throughout the sport right now.

Chinese Soccer presents a huge prospect, especially given their obvious dedication to improving as a collective whole for the betterment of their home country. However, it’s still a long way off from matching the level of the sport seen elsewhere in the world. In any case, you can be sure that these big-name signings will continue to happen, so long as the money keeps flowing in like it already has done.

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January 11, 2023DIY / Home Improvement

How to Restore Antique Glassware

Getting your old antique glasses to look like new ones can be complicated. It involves many steps, from cleaning and resilvering to analyzing the refractive index and displaying the glasses.

Cleaning

Knowing how to clean your ancient glass is essential for preserving its beauty, whether you are a collector or want to exhibit your prized glassware. However, the process can be difficult and cause damage. If there are any damages, you should get them fixed right away by glass repairs Houston, TX specialist.

The correct way to clean glass is to use a soft, non-abrasive cleaner. For example, dish soap, distilled water, and dishwashing liquid can be used. These ingredients are gentle on metals and are effective at breaking up dirt and grease.

The best way to clean antique glass is to use a soft, lint-free cloth. Dip it into a bowl of distilled water and gently wipe down the surface. You can also soak a glass in warm water and dish soap solution.

If the dirt is stuck on the glass, you can use mild acid or vinegar to break it up. You can also use chamois leather or well-rung-out chamois to remove stubborn stains.

Analysis of Refractive Index

During the past centuries, many useful articles were produced from glasses. Besides the standard measurements of the density and bending strength, the analysis of the refractive index of a glass sample is also important. This information helps determine if the material is suitable for the intended use.

Several methods are available in the market which provides indirect measurements of the refractive index. Some of them require the sample to be immersed in liquid before measurement. Others are based on the structural parameters of the sample. However, these methods limit the accuracy of the samples’ refractive index. Therefore, the proposed method aims to directly measure glasses’ refractive index without requiring structural parameters.

This method has two advantages over traditional methods: measurement accuracy and environmental vibrations robustness. The accuracy of refractive index measurement can reach 5 x 10-4.

Removal of Old Silver

A cleaning solution can be a good way to remove old silver from antique glasses. The solution works quickly and doesn’t harm the environment.

A good solution is made of food-grade ingredients. You can find this product at many fabric stores. It would help to have a large container to soak your silver in.

You can also apply a baking soda bath to soften the tarnish. Again, it would help if you used aluminum foil to make this work. You can then polish the silver with a soft cloth.

Some people also use toothpaste. If you do, use a microfiber cloth to rub it onto the silver. Once the tarnish has been removed, rinse the silver with clean water. If the tarnish is still stubborn, you may need to apply more baking soda.

Resilvering

Whether you have an antique mirror or a glass piece, try resilvering it. Silvering is a chemical process that applies a thin layer of silver to the surface of a glass. It is a technique that has been used for centuries.

You should be aware that resilvering your mirror can be expensive. It is common for mirror resilvering to cost around $15 per square foot.

This process is a complicated one and requires the use of toxic chemicals. However, resilvering a mirror is well worth it.

The first step to resilvering your mirror is to clean it carefully. You should also remove the protective silver backing. This will allow you to reapply the silver layer.

Next, you need to apply the silver leaf. You can apply it in several places on the mirror. This will help to cover any scratches or cracks in the silver layer. You should use a soft felt cloth to smooth out any wrinkles.
January 11, 2023Finance

5 Tips for Investing in Fixer-Upper Properties

Fixer-upper properties can be a great way to get into the real estate market. They can be purchased for much less than their full market value, and the profit potential is huge. 

However, investing in fixer-upper properties can also be tricky. There are many costs that you may not be aware of, and there are a lot of hidden problems that could arise. 

Fortunately, today’s guide is here to help. We’re now going to look at some of the best tips for investing in fixer-upper properties. 

Know what you’re getting into 

The first and most important tip is to make sure that you know what you’re getting into. Investing in a fixer-upper property is a big commitment, and it’s important to understand all the risks and rewards that come with the process. 

This means researching and finding out as much as possible about the property before you make a purchase. You should also factor in the potential costs of renovations, materials, and labour. 

Get a professional inspection 

Before making a purchase, it’s important to get a professional inspection. This will help identify any potential issues with the property and ensure it’s a worthwhile investment. 

It’s also a good idea to get a contractor to look over the property as well. This will give you a better idea of the costs associated with the renovations and help identify any potential issues before you make a purchase. 

Budget for hidden costs 

The next tip is to budget for hidden costs. This means taking into account all of the potential costs that may arise during the renovation process. 

This could range from the cost of materials and labour to any permits or even landlord insurance that may be required if you are letting in the interim. It’s crucial to factor in any potential hidden costs before making a purchase, so you’re not caught off guard later. 

Secure financing

It should also go without saying that you will need to secure financing before you make the purchase. This will ensure you have the money you need to complete the project and make a profit. 

There are several different financing options available, so make sure you research and find the best one for your situation. 

Be prepared for the market

Finally, it’s important to be prepared for the market. Once you’ve completed the renovations, you will need to find a buyer for the property. This means researching and finding out as much as possible about the market to get the best price for your property. On some occasions, this may even involve holding tight for a few months – just so the market can settle and you can get the best price for all the renovations you have invested in. A quick look at the recent sold prices in the area and conversations with local estate agents will help you no end.