Agent: Zhang Chengdong stayed in Foreign La Liga and Wu Lei was completely different

In an interview with the Shenzhen media "Jing Bao" on February 12, Zhang Chengdong's agent Fan Kunmiao revealed the difference between Zhang Chengdong's stay in Western La Liga and wu lei today, and he also put forward some relevant suggestions for Wu Lei to adapt to La Liga.

Fan Kunmiao said: "Today's Wulei, whether it is the external environment (Chinese football, Chinese Super League status) or the player's personal situation (age, position, mentality, competitive status), is completely different from Zhang Chengdong's situation in Vallecano 4 years ago. "As early as 2015, Vallecano had been following Zhang Chengdong, and even considered signing when he was playing in Portugal. But by the time the trip really took place in 2015, the risks within the club had been exposed – the conflict between the manager and the club's top brass had become public because of Zhang Chengdong's arrival.

Head coach James has publicly expressed his displeasure with The arrival of Cheung, but in fact he came for club president Raul Martin and sporting director Felipe. Zhang Chengdong as the "fuse" for the openness of the contradictions between them, or "from the head", in fact, the position is very awkward, and there are many difficulties. But Zhang Chengdong is a very smart and very strong person with strong pressure resistance. He did not show resistance because of the manager's distrust or "intentional targeting", he chose to accept this fact silently. Because after all, for him, staying in the Ocean is a dream of his own, and he hopes to achieve better development of his career through the training of high-level leagues. He chose to prove himself with his performance on the training ground and on the playing field, to show the manager, his teammates and the fans. In the end, he also got the opportunity to play in La Liga, making history.

In this process, Fan Kunmiao has been accompanying Zhang Chengdong and has completely experienced the process of staying in Western La Liga. He said: "If it were not for the conflict between the manager and the club's top brass, I believe Zhang Chengdong's Journey in La Liga would have gone further and longer. Zhang Chengdong's performance in La Liga has been a success both for himself and for Chinese football. After all, in the environment at that time, many Chinese players did not even have the courage and determination to step out of the country. I think if Zhang Chengdong's experience can bring any enlightenment to Wu Lei, then it should be a persistent effort. ”

Are there prejudices against Chinese players abroad?

At the unveiling ceremony of the Espanyol club where Wu Lei joined on the same day, there was a storm of suspected "racial discrimination" by local fans. So, do these prejudices and even "discrimination" really exist?

He went to Chile at the age of 15 and gave the example of a South Korean teammate. "When I was young, the local players would make some jokes about the Korean teammate and even bully him at times. I was like, do they have some prejudice against Koreans? ”

"It's not." Fan Kunmiao said: "More often, what matters is your contribution to the team. How good your own football level determines your place in the team. The fairness of football games actually lies in the fact that it can fight some unfairness, which is actually to eliminate some prejudices. ”

For Chinese players and Asian players at this stage, staying in the West is always inseparable from factors such as race, language, and even business. These things off the pitch are sometimes your weaknesses and sometimes their strengths, but in the end it's the level of performance you show on the pitch.

For Fan Kunmiao, who is engaged in commercial operations and player agency work, business can allow high-level coaches and players to enter the Chinese Super League, and can also allow potential Chinese players to go out and improve their level. ”

But Fan Kunmiao also gave an example: "I have also encountered cases that make me very sad and sad before. I once asked a very good young player why you chose to play. His answer was that because playing football can make a lot of money. That's when I felt like everything was getting a different taste – if making money became your starting point for playing football, 99% of you wouldn't be able to make money; but if you love football and keep paying for it, money and everything you want comes with it. ”

A little advice to help Wu Lei integrate into the local area

Unlike Zhang Chengdong, who was "forced by the sponsor to Vallecano" (Spanish media language), another major advantage of Wu Lei's landing in La Liga is that the Spaniard is currently a Chinese-controlled football club.

On November 3, 2015, Xinghui Interactive Entertainment Co., Ltd. announced that it has invested more than 60 million euros to control Espanyol Football Club. In June of the following year, Chen Yansheng, chairman of Xinghui Interactive Entertainment Co., Ltd., was officially elected as the 28th chairman of the club.

In Fan Kunmiao's impression, the Chinese boss from Chenghai, Shantou, is very pragmatic and low-key, "Several of my Spanish friends are members of the club, according to them, after the Chinese boss took control of the club, the staff has hardly changed, what should everyone do." The owner also has a lot of respect for the traditions of the club. ”

"This is also one of the reasons why I am optimistic about Wu Lei's success in La Liga." Fan Kunmiao said: "The other is because of the city of Barcelona. Barcelona has a lot of delicious Chinese restaurants, and the Spaniards are very smart, the club staff will definitely take good care of Wu Lei's life and living; and in addition to training matches, Wu Lei himself will definitely be in the city. ”

When asked how to quickly get closer to local fans, Fan Kunmiao said that there was really a "tip". As we all know, in the city of Barcelona, Espanyol clubs have been living in the shadow of the same city rival Barca, and the supporters of Espanyol clubs are "thirty years of die-hards", and it is not easy for Wu Lei as a foreign player to win the hearts of local fans.

Fan Kunmiao said: "I suggest that Wu Lei can take time to watch the games of the club's B team and youth team in addition to the training competition. I watched a match in the Espanyol U11 echelon live and played really well! You think, Wu Lei, as a foreign aid, can take time to support the echelon of his club on the spot, interact with parents and fans, and this favorability has gone up at once. Compare hearts to hearts, and everyone will be moved. ”

(Editor: Li Shengde)