Shearer Says: “Why would you go to China in the prime of your career?”

“It wouldn’t surprise me at all if it’s all been smoothed over and then it was revisited toward the end of the season. If they’ve said to him “Look, stay here, help us win the league and then we’ll look at the situation again in the summer.””

Simon then asks the question to which we’d all undoubtedly like to know the answer. If Alan were a professional today, would he accept the offer to go to China?

“If I had the decision to go to China in my prime… no chance.”

“There are some players who are motivated by finance. There are some players who are motivated by winning trophies and the love of the game. 

“I don’t know him [Costa] personally. If I had the decision to go to China in my prime…no chance. Why would you? I think you’d be crazy to go over there.

“I know it’s incredible sums of money…if someone is motivated by money, then China is the place for those guys. I can sort of understand it, coming to the last two or three years of your career.

You’re 34/35 and you’ve had a huge over to go over to China then yes, I possibly understand that, but not that 27 or 28 years og age when you’re in your prime.”

To finish, Simon asks Shearer what his thoughts are on the title race and whether it’s now a foregone conclusion that Chelsea will win it.

“I think it’s unlikely that anyone will catch them.”

“I still think there’ll be twists and turns. Can Chelsea be beaten three or four times? Yes. Because it seems as though everyone is beating eachother in that top six. Tottenham beat them, quite convincing, so they are beatable.

But they’re back to winning ways and looking very good again. I think it’s unlikely that anyone will catch them.”

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