In the first four rounds of this season's Chinese Super League, Hebei's undefeated record of two wins and two draws showed an unexpected strength. Captain Zhang Chengdong's performance in the team is particularly outstanding, his return as a sea pin, so that the team in the game looks more calm and tough, his joining the team injected composure and confidence.
Journalist:
The team had a great performance in Suzhou last year, how do you feel about returning here?
Zhang Chengdong:
Even though the race area is the same, we still stayed in building 2 this time and felt more secure. The first stage here last year was good and made the top four. Although I wasn't here for the second stage, I watched every game of the team and everyone worked very hard. We feel very much at home here, and compared to the unfamiliarity we felt last year when we first arrived, this year we are more familiar and feel at ease coming back here.
Journalist:
You've traveled to Germany for treatment before, what experiences did you have during this time that you'd like to share?
Zhang Chengdong:
Before I went to Germany, it was difficult to leave the country because of the epidemic, and I was determined to go for surgery, originally planning to recover around May. But I didn't realize that upon arrival, the doctors decided that I didn't need surgery on the cartilage in my leg and that I could be treated conservatively to repair the medial collateral ligament. I was delighted to be able to return to the team quickly, in time for the start of the league season. After returning to the country, I went through four weeks of isolation, with the main storage for physical fitness in the latter part of the season, as immobilizing the leg for a long period of time can lead to muscle atrophy, so I've been rehabbing and needing time to regain my leg muscles and cardiorespiratory fitness. We had three weeks of practice with the team before the start of the league and although the preparation time was intense, I was happy to be back to help the team.
Journalist:
The team changed the Korean coaching staff during the winter break and the tactical play has changed, what changes do you think the new coach has brought to the team?
Zhang Chengdong:
There are some cultural differences between the Korean coaches and China, and we are trying to adapt to our head coach's style and playing style. The tactical layout of the Korean coaching staff is different from before and the way of practicing has also changed, but we are all adapting positively. Although the first two games may not have met the expectations on the field, I believe it will take some time and process, because the head coach came late, we are all working together positively to understand each other and give positive suggestions, we all hope that the team will get on the right track as soon as possible to determine the style of play.
Journalist:
The average age of the team has dropped, how do you interact with the younger players as a captain and veteran?
Zhang Chengdong:
This year the team has brought in many promising young players who are very positive and strong. Our post-80s players are of a different generation from the post-95s and post-00s, so we need to communicate with them more to help them adapt to the team and the high tempo and high intensity training and games. Sometimes the high-intensity training makes them feel tired, we will remind them that this is just training, not yet the league. Their future development needs to work hard to adapt to the rhythm of the league, and may even enter the national team, they need to consider a higher platform, this is the concept we constantly instill in our young players, we do not want them to be confined to the club level, and hope that they can grow quickly and contribute to the national football team.
Journalist:
The timing of the OF's return was different, and the field changed significantly after Malcolm's second start.
Zhang Chengdong:
The importance of foreigners to the team in the Super League cannot be overstated, and we were very fortunate to have all four of them back in the team before the start of the league. The likes of Memisevic, Cernus and myself came back late and didn't train with the team for a long time. Malcolm had a small injury before the first game, but I believe that as soon as they are back to their best and play, they will help the team a lot, improve the speed of offense and defense, and make the game more exciting.
Journalist:
What have you been reading lately?
Zhang Chengdong:
Recently, I have been reading Sequential Blossoms, about why the people of Tibet are so happy, despite the fact that their material living conditions are not as good as those in the cities. There is also a biography of Zeng Guofan, about his life.
Journalist:
Is there less pressure on the team this year with a different format than last year?
Zhang Chengdong:
This year's format is different from last year's, and with the league expanding next year, the pressure isn't as great as it was last year. Last year, with only 14 rounds of matches in the first stage, it creates a number of different situations, or a poor performance in the first stage and a good performance in the second stage to be relegated. This year is a full league, or to see the stability of the team and the internal condition and quality of training, the return to a league system, the team's pressure is not as great as last year.
Journalist:
The team was renamed Hebei, how do you feel as a Hebei player?
Zhang Chengdong:
Of course, I come from Hebei, the team is now called Hebei, the team logo on the establishment of the time is also in 2009, when I also represented the team to participate in the National Games, teammates and now in Shenhua's Wu Xi. When I come to this team, I will definitely inject my own feelings into it, and I also have the responsibility to make the team better and better. In the warm-up match before the league trip, the secretary of Langfang Municipal Party Committee came to the stadium to visit the team and cheer the whole team, which gave us a lot of intangible motivation and confidence. I hope everyone in the Hebei team is happy and that the team achieves good results.
Journalist:
Hebei fans are very passionate and due to the format of the game, many of them could not come to watch the game. Hebei fans, especially those in Langfang, want to return to the stands as soon as possible to play alongside the team, what do you have to say to them?
Zhang Chengdong:
Thank them very much for their support, Hebei fans are very happy now, not only our Hebei team, but also Cangzhou team, there are currently two Chinese Super League teams in the soil of Hebei, it is a wonderful moment for Hebei fans and young players. As players, we will treasure it very much, especially the Hebei players like me. There are two teams from Hebei in the Chinese Super League map, we should treasure it more, promote the development of Hebei soccer, and let more Hebei children devote themselves to soccer. I hope Hebei fans cheer for the team, whether it's for Hebei or Cangzhou, it's a team from Hebei, we have to be united and push Hebei soccer to the peak of history, which is the responsibility of Hebei players.
Journalist:
What are your personal and team expectations as captain for the new season?
Zhang Chengdong:
I've played two games now and I'm playing as a wingback, hoping to use my experience to help the team in defense, and at the same time provide more support to the team's offense from the wingback position. I hope that the team will play at our level in this year, show the coach's style of play, and provide more help to the young players, so that they can grow up quickly and accumulate experience in the Chinese Super League.
Journalist:
The team leader Lang Zheng is also your big brother, he cares a lot about your life and training games, including the team's logistic support staff, what kind of help do you think they have given you?
Zhang Chengdong:
Last year we were under a lot of pressure, Lang often gave us some adjustment in the atmosphere, he would communicate with the players and coaches, and play the role of the top and bottom, I hope the team to maintain a good atmosphere, and face the game with a positive mentality. Last year's format was very stressful for us, but this year the team has brought in a lot of young players, and Lang will often give them some help to keep up with the team as soon as possible. He will actively create a good atmosphere for the veteran players, young players and coaches to get along more harmoniously. During training and matches, our logistics staff will also do a good job for us, we work together and hope to achieve good results this year.
Journalist:
Many players will have long term plans such as a career in coaching, do you have any long term plans now?
Zhang Chengdong:
Right now for me, there is not much to think about in this regard. From these two matches, despite not playing football for half a year, my physical condition has remained pretty good, and I still hope to play a few more years in the Chinese Super League as a player and cherish my career as a player. As a player, I certainly hope to make a breakthrough in my career, which is my idea now.
