In the first four rounds of this season's Chinese Super League, Hebei achieved an undefeated record of two wins and two draws, a result that was somewhat surprising to outsiders. In this, the captain Zhang Chengdong's role is crucial. Zhang Chengdong, who has returned from injury, is as stable as a mountain on the field, making the Hebei team more calm and resolute, and his joining the team adds a sense of calmness, and even more so a sense of confidence.
Journalist:
How does it feel to be back here again after the team played in Suzhou last year?
Zhang Chengdong:
In the same region, we still live in building 2, which gives us more security. Last year in the first stage of the tournament here, we had a good result and made it to the top four. Although I didn't play in the second stage, I watched every game of the team and everyone worked very hard. We feel very comfortable here, we are more familiar this year compared to last year when we first arrived and we feel very relaxed coming back to this environment.
Journalist:
You went to Germany for treatment before, what experiences did you have during this time that you would like to share?
Zhang Chengdong:
While waiting for a visa to leave the country, it became difficult to do so due to the epidemic. At that time I traveled to Germany with the determination to have surgery and was scheduled to recover around May. But to my surprise, upon arrival, the doctors decided that the cartilage condition of my leg did not require surgery and that I could have conservative treatment to repair the medial collateral ligament. This made me feel very happy because I could return to the team faster and catch the start of the league. I went through a four-week isolation period after returning home from abroad. In the latter part of the period I have been stocking up on physical fitness, as playing fixed for a long time may cause muscle atrophy, so I have been doing rehabilitation training, which takes some time to recover my leg muscles and cardiorespiratory function. I had three weeks of training with the team before the start of the league season and was rushed in my preparation, but I'm glad to be back and contributing to 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 Korea and our country, and all of us players are trying to adapt to the style and play of our head coach. The tactical layout of the Korean coaching staff is different from the previous Xie Finger, and our training style has also changed, but we are all trying to adapt. Maybe the first two games of the league didn't look as good as we thought on the field, but it takes time and process. After all, the head coach came late, we are all actively cooperating with each other to understand each other and make positive suggestions, we all hope that the team as soon as possible on the right track, to establish the playing style.
Journalist:
The average age of the team has dropped this year, as captain and veteran player, what kind of communication do you have with the younger players?
Zhang Chengdong:
The team has brought in many young players this year, and they all have great potential and strength. There are post-95 and post-00 players in the team, and we post-80s players need to communicate with them more to help them adapt to the team, to the high tempo and high intensity training and matches. Sometimes, some high-intensity training makes them feel tired, but we will remind them that this is only training, not the league. Their future pattern and goals must be to try to adapt to the league rhythm, and in the future there is the possibility of entering the national team, to consider a higher platform. These are the things we should keep instilling in our young players, we can't let them be limited to the club level, and we hope that they can make rapid progress and contribute to the national soccer team.
Journalist:
The timing of the outside backers' return was different, and the field changed significantly after Malcolm made his second start.
Zhang Chengdong:
The role of foreigners in the Premier League is a large percentage of the team, so we are happy to have all four foreigners back in the team before the start of the league. The likes of Memisevic, Selnas, including myself, came back late and we didn't train with the team for a long time. Like Malcolm had some minor injuries before the first game, but I think as soon as they are back in good shape, they can play, which will help us a lot to speed up the transition between offense and defense and make the game more exciting.
Journalist:
We learned last year that you really enjoy reading, what have you been reading lately?
Zhang Chengdong:
Recently, I have been reading Sequential Blossoms, which is about why the Tibetan people are so happy, even though their material living conditions are not as developed as those in our cities. There is also a biography of Zeng Guofan, about his life.
Journalist:
Is the pressure on the team lessened this year with a different format than last year?
Zhang Chengdong:
This year's format is different from last year's, and the league will also expand next year, so the pressure is not as great as it was last year. Last year with only 14 rounds of matches in the first stage there were a few different scenarios, maybe a bad performance in the first stage and good play in the second stage to be relegated. This year is a full league, or to see the stability of the team and the situation within the team and the quality of training, the return to a league system, the team's pressure is not as great as last year.
Journalist:
The team changed its name to Hebei this year, do you have some different feelings as a Hebei player?
Zhang Chengdong:
Of course, I am from Hebei, the team is now called Hebei, the team logo was established in 2009, when I also represented this team to participate in the National Games, teammates and now at Shenhua Wu Xi. I will definitely inject my feelings into this team, and I also have the responsibility to make this team better and better. In the warm-up match before the league trip, the secretary of Langfang Municipal Party Committee came to Langfang Stadium to visit the team and cheer the whole team, which gave us a lot of intangible motivation and confidence. I hope everyone in Hebei is happy and that the team will achieve 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 from Langfang, want to return to the stands as soon as possible to fight alongside our team, what would you like to say to them?
Zhang Chengdong:
Thank you very much for their support, Hebei fans are very happy now, not only our Hebei team, but also the Cangzhou team, there are currently two Chinese Super League teams in the soil of Hebei, which is wonderful for Hebei fans, as well as some young players from Hebei. As a player, we will cherish it, especially like I come from Hebei, there are two teams from Hebei in the Chinese Super League map, we should cherish it even more, and drive up Hebei soccer, so that more Hebei children to play soccer. I hope Hebei fans cheer for us, both for Hebei and Cangzhou, both teams from Hebei, we have to be united, to push Hebei soccer to a high point in history, this is our wish as Hebei players.
Journalist:
What are your expectations for the new season as captain, both personally and for the team?
Zhang Chengdong:
I've played two games so far, I'm in the wing back position, I hope to use my experience to help the team in defense, and then provide more support to the team in offense in the wing back position. I hope the team can play at their own level in this year, show more of the coach's style and characteristics, and help the young players grow and accumulate experience in the Chinese Super League.
Journalist:
The team leader Lang Zheng is also your big brother, and you pay a lot of attention to him in your life and training matches, including the team's logistics staff, how do you think they help you?
Zhang Chengdong:
Last year, we were under a lot of pressure, and Lang often gave us some adjustments in the atmosphere, and he would communicate with the players and coaches, and play the role of the top and bottom, and I hope that the team will maintain a good atmosphere and face the game with a positive mindset. Last year's system was very stressful for us, and this year we have many young players on the team, 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 veterans, young players and coaches to get along with each other. During the training and games, 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 have long term plans, such as a career in coaching, do you have long term plans?
Zhang Chengdong:
Now I have not thought too much about this aspect, I think from these two games, although I have not played football for half a year, but the physical condition is still good, I still hope to play in the Super League as a player for a few more years, cherish the career of the player. As a player, I must expect to make a breakthrough in terms of performance, and this is what I think now.
