Marek Hamsik may be one of the most accomplished footballers to take his talents to China, but the Slovakian midfielder has admitted he is struggling to adapt since joining Dalian Yifang in February.
Hamsik, 31, became one of the leading midfielders in Europe during 11-and-a-half years at Napoli, becoming the Serie A club'a all-time leading goalscorer.
He joined Dalian Yifang for €13 million in February and made his debut on the opening day of the Chinese Super League season in a 1-1 draw at Henan Jianye.
But less than two months later, Hamsik was dropped from the squad for Sunday's 4-1 loss away to table-toppers Beijing Guoan, having failed to score or register an assist in six games.
"I am not particularly satisfied with my performances," the Slovakian international midfielder told CCTV. "I have always tried my best to help the team but I've not encountered a situation like this before.
"There are big differences between Chinese and European football, but I will try to overcome this and adapt."
Former Napoli captain Hamsik said the biggest problem he faces in China is the language barrier.
"Many times I want to communicate with my teammates, for example on pitch, but because of the language I can't, so I can only use gestures," he said.
Dalian have won just once in seven CSL matches and there is uncertainty about the future of Yannick Carrasco, the Belgium international winger who was an unused substitute in the weekend's heavy defeat.
Hamsik said that "everyone (at Dalian) has room for improvement, including myself", but he is determined to make the move to northeast China work.
"Loyalty - whether on the football field or in life - is very important so I will definitely do my best," he added.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
Results
2pm: Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.
4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.
5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.
All about the Sevens
Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales
HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia
More coverage from the Future Forum
Brief scoreline:
Toss: South Africa, elected to bowl first
England (311-8): Stokes 89, Morgan 57, Roy 54, Root 51; Ngidi 3-66
South Africa (207): De Kock 68, Van der Dussen 50; Archer 3-27, Stokes 2-12
ON%20TRACK
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MATCH INFO
BRIGHTON 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 3
McTominay 44'
Mata 73'
Pogba 80'
