Chinese clubs flexing their football muscle

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (left) stands with Xi (centre) listening to Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak (third right) during a visit to the City Football Academy in Manchester, Britain in October 2015. - Reuters

When you have a leader who has a particular interest in something, you can expect things to happen. Xi has made no secret of his love for the game and one of his ambitions is that China host the World Cup.

In October last year, Xi visited the City Football Academy in Manchester.