In just over a week, the new Chinese Super League season kicks off. Guangzhou Evergrande start as favorites having won the last six titles, although other clubs have invested heavily. The 2009 champions Beijing Sinobo Guoan finished fifth last campaign, and to prepare for this year went to Spain for their training camp. 

Marbella in southern Spain has a reputation as a destination for the rich and famous. It’s a similar story at the Marbella Football Center, having hosted a "who’s who" of football over the years. The latest side to make use of these facilities is Beijing Sinobo Guoan, with the Chinese Super League side setting up camp there at the beginning of the month.

“Over the last couple of weeks, the weather is very good and all the facilities are good and we come here mainly just to play matches for the new season coming. There are three four five good teams around here. So that is the reason to come here. We played four games so far so… so far so good," Beijing Sinobo Guoan midfielder Zhang Xiaobin told CGTN.

Since the last campaign, Jose Gonzalez has been promoted to head coach having spent two years as an assistant.

The job ahead of him is a daunting one, especially given how rival clubs have invested heavily in buying new talent.

"We’re hoping for the best. We’re optimistic because I believe we have good players. I want to see the team dominate possession, play attacking football and have clear ideas about what we want to do when we have the ball," said Jose Gonzales.

The players have been training twice a day, in addition to rigorous sessions in the gym and conducting tactical video analysis.

The club won the league in 2009 but was off the pace last season, finishing in a disappointing fifth.

But the players go into the new campaign full of confidence. That will be music to the ears of the fans of one of China’s best-supported teams.

Time will tell whether the Beijing Sinobo Guoan class of 2017 can carry it off.