Exclusive Interview: China's South American trendsetter Dario Conca

With the Chinese Super League now over for another season, WhoScored.com was given the chance to sit down with one of the stars of the 2016 campaign, Dario Conca. For a time, the Argentine was among the highest paid players in the world following his move to Guangzhou Evergrande in 2011. Here, the 33-year-old midfielder discusses the pressure that followed his more, the trend of South American's moving to China and what it's like to work under two of football's most notable managers...

You were among the highest paid players in the world when you first moved to China in 2011, did that put pressure on you to succeed straight away?

Pressure always exists in football. For me, regardless of the money I make, I always want to be successful immediately. The most important thing for me is to feel that I gave everything after each match I play, because football is my passion.

How did it feel to be named "the king of Tianhe Stadium" on the back of a superb debut campaign with Guangzhou Evergrande?

I feel great joy to have that recognition, but to get to be named the king of Tianhe Stadium I had to overcome many adversities with my family, that always accompany me. We will be grateful to all the fans of Guangzhou, to the club, to my teammates, who were also very important. One day I will be able to tell my children all the story that I could live in that magnificent stadium.

After a period back in Brazil, you returned to China, this time with Shanghai SIPG, did you feel you had unfinished business in the Chinese Super League?

After a year I had the opportunity to return to China and I was fortunate to work with a great coach and play alongside great Chinese and foreign players. In the first year we finished second but I felt I could give much more: regrettably I was injured when we were set to play the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions, which was a dream of mine to win again.

Shanghai SIPG finished third in the Chinese Super League this season with your former side Guangzhou Evergrande securing top spot, but do you feel you can close the gap on your previous team next term?

Guangzhou Evergrande is the best team in China and one of the best in Asia. I think today the teams in China are getting better and everyone wants to take the title from Guangzhou and if our team and club do things well it is possible. But for that we have to be like we were in 2015: humble and all fighting together because our fans deserve to be champions, they always support us.

Would you ever consider returning to your native Argentina in the future having started your career with River Plate?

I left River Plate 12 years ago. I know it's difficult to come back after so long, but one day I would like to come back and it would be perfect if I was to play for Boca Juniors: that would be a dream  come true for me.

Your WhoScored rating (7.50) was the third best in the Chinese Super League this season, would you say this was one of your most successful campaigns, from a personal perspective, to date?

Yes, I had a good campaign until I got injured; but in all the years I was in China, I had good seasons and achieved important things. I came to China 5 years ago and won all the possible titles and that's why today Chinese fans respect me.

How important are stats to teams and players alike? In that regard, is the service WhoScored.com, among other websites, an invaluable tool to you?

This data is very important because it is real and no one can change the facts. I think that realising how much we contribute in a game improves soccer for everyone involved.

Your statistically calculated WhoScored strengths include 'dribbling', 'key passes' and 'through balls'; would you say these are among your best qualities?

Yes they are my best qualities, but to get to be able to do that I need to be in good shape physically and have the courage to take risks. I think it’s very good to know that my strengths are appreciated and I’m proud to be able to do my job well.

The Chinese Super League is now populated with South American players, would you consider yourself something of a trendsetter having originally moved to China in 2011?

They brought many South American players: I was the first to arrive and in a short time we have won everything that was possible, including the Asian Champions League, which had never been achieved by any Chinese team before us. Today I feel that I have been a pioneer.

Have you noticed any distinct improvements in the quality of the league with the likes of Paulinho, Hulk and Alex Teixeira all moving to Chinese Super League teams over the last 18 months?

Paulinho and Alex Teixeira are great players that have a lot of quality. They are Brazilians both competing at international level and they’re helping Chinese football a lot.

How has it been working under a number of high profile managers during your time in China, including Marcello Lippi and Sven-Goran Eriksson?

I worked with two of the best coaches in the world and both are excellent and very respectful with the players. They are coaches who helped me to grow as a person and as a player, and an example to follow. For me it has been very important to stay with both of them for a long time  because they are two spectacular men.

Andre Villas-Boas has since taken charge of Shanghai SIPG - are you excited to work under the Portuguese manager and how do you feel you can improve under the former Chelsea, Tottenham and Zenit boss?

I don’t know him personally and I don’t think I will know him much, because he and the club decided that I won’t be part of the group for a period. So, aside from the respect that I have always had with everyone, I prefer not to talk about him.