Alessandrini's explosive introduction

Romain Alessandrini is a new face for most Chinese Super League fans but the Frenchman's fame has been growing steadily thanks to his prolific early form for Qingdao Huanghai.

Alessandrini has netted four times in the newly promoted side's opening six games of the delayed season to sit joint-fourth in the CSL scoring chart, led by Guangzhou Evergrande's Wei Shihao (six).

Alessandrini's flying start has also helped gutsy Qingdao earn surprise draws against Group B big guns Shanghai SIPG and Beijing Guo'an, while his double, including a dramatic 86th-minute equalizer, in a 2-2 draw with Shijiazhuang Ever Bright saw him named MVP for the second round of games.

"It (the equalizer) was a good thing for me and for the club," the 31-year-old told media. "It can help improve the club's profile in the league. I was happy about the game because I scored two goals. Obviously the second one was really nice. It reminds me of the goals I scored when I was younger. It was a good sign for me."

Alessandrini has spent the majority of his career in his homeland, enjoying spells in the topflight Ligue 1 with Rennes and Marseille before moving to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2017.

Five months on the sidelines with a knee injury curtailed his career in the US before he signed for Qingdao in February. Now the winger feels he's regained his strength and momentum on the pitch.

"I feel good and much better than last year. Last year wasn't easy for me, but I've worked hard to come back," said Alessandrini.

"I finally found this opportunity to sign for Qingdao. Now I feel great and I hope I can stay in this condition until the end of the season."

Alessandrini has had plenty of time to adjust to his new life in China. The coronavirus pandemic saw the start of the 2020 CSL season pushed back from its original February start date before the action finally got underway in late July in hub cities Dalian and Suzhou, where Qingdao is based.

"After five months, I'm getting used to living in China. We had a long preseason due to the coronavirus," Alessandrini said.

"I would say I'm good now and I understand more about how my teammates play and the Chinese way of living.

"It's a good opportunity for me to come to China. I got some offers in Europe, but I like to travel and see different things. It's a good chance for me to discover this country and culture. I was in France, I was in the US, and now I'm here. This will be a good story for me."

Alessandrini credits new Qingdao head coach Wu Jingui as an important influence on his initial success in China. Wu was only installed in the job earlier this month after Spaniard Pablo Machin failed to arrive in China "due to serious family matters".

With a respectable seven points so far under Wu's guidance, Qingdao looks like it could defy predictions of an instant drop back down to the second tier.

"The coach is well known in China," said Alessandrini. "He has a lot of experience in the league. He is bringing something different. For me it's good also. He speaks English and he spent some years in Germany. He can understand European people."

And Alessandrini has also been impressed by the standard he's coming up against on the pitch.

"I'm surprised (about the league), because there are a lot of good players. I watched videos of the league and asked players who came here before. I think our team can improve. I'm really enjoying the football here," he said.

"But it's the same wherever I play－I always give the best I can for the club that gives me the opportunities to play. Whoever my teammates are, I will give me best. I respect everyone around me. I'm competitive so I want to win."

As for his chances of topping the CSL scoring chart come the end of the campaign, Alessandrini is more concerned about his team's overall performance than any personal accolades.

"To be honest, I've always scored goals throughout my career. I don't have any individual aim. I just want to help my teammates on and off the pitch," he said. "Scoring goals is not like an obsession for me.

"Off the field, I try to talk with the young players to help them. During the games, I try to motivate my teammates because it's part of my job. As a number 10, I try to organize the team to score goals.

"During my career, I've gained a lot of experience. I've also had injuries, so that has helped me to grow as a player and as a man. I will bring a lot of experience to the team.

"The spirit of the team has changed. We fight more for each other. This is the best change. We will improve and I really believe in this team."