With Charlton Athletic suffering relegation, Chinese midfielder
Zheng Zhi is about to make the most important decision of his
career.
Zheng signed a loan deal with an option of a permanent move in
January, but he has yet to commit to the London club.
Relegation had been on the cards for Charlton all season after
two disastrous managerial appointments following the departure of
Alan Curbishley, the man who had built the club up from financial
ruin and kept them in the Premier League for seven years.
And despite a clear improvement since the arrival of Alan Pardew
and new signings like Zheng, the inevitable drop was confirmed
after a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on
Monday.
"It was the most unforgettable moment in my life. If I still
have a chance to compete in the Premier League, the experiences
here will help me a lot," an emotional Zheng told Titan Sports
after the match.
Zheng started the match but was kept quiet by a Tottenham side
hungry for a European place.
A half-hearted appeal for a penalty when Michael Dawson tacked
Zheng was the closest they came to threatening Robinson's goal.
When Zheng was replaced with Bryan Hughes in the 84th-minute he
received a standing ovation from a Charlton faithful clearly
appreciative of his efforts over the season.
"I've felt the real Premier League in every match since I came
here. I will never forget the crazy fans and the incredible
atmosphere here.
"I was so moved that there were still so many fans standing
outside the gate of the stadium, asking for autographs and showing
their support. I am sure most of them will continue to stand by the
team next season."
The question for the fans, however, is whether Zheng will be
standing with them.
"I don't know what the future is," he said. "The feeling is
complicated. All I can do now is wait for the end of the season and
make a decision then."
Zheng has made 11 appearances for Charlton, seven of them
starting, and scored one goal. But it is his creative passing and
attacking threat that has won him praise from media and fans, who
in March voted him Charlton's player of the month.
Manager Pardew certainly hopes he will stay: "He's a good player
and creates lots of chances," he was quoted as saying by Titan
Sports.
Charlton's last game of the season is at giants Liverpool on
Sunday, and after that Zheng will return to his Chinese club
Shandong Luneng for the summer.
"Personally, I hope to continue my career in the Premier League.
But it's hard to predict. My agent will help deal with the issue
with the two clubs.
"I've gained a lot from competing in one of the world's best
leagues during the past few months. There are players from all over
the world and I had the chance to challenge players with different
styles. It's a good experience for me."
According to the terms of the loan deal, Zheng will return to
Shandong and play the A3 Championship, which sees the top clubs
from China, South Korea and Japan face off.
Manager Han Gongzheng says it is still too early to discuss
Zheng's future.
"We need some time to reopen negotiations. Right now, we will
ask Zheng to come back after the season ends and help the club
during the A3 league," Han said.
Last month Zheng admitted he would leave the club if they
dropped out of the Premier League.
"If Charlton are relegated, I won't stay," he was quoted as
saying by Goalchina.
Speculation is beginning to mount over Zheng's future plans.
Titan Sports pinpointed surprise-package Reading as a likely
destination due to the hole that will be created by the departure
of star midfielder Steve Sidwell.
It could be double happiness for the entertaining Berkshire
side, as Zheng's China teammate Sun Jihai is being linked with a
move to the club, which is coached by his former manager at Crystal
Palace Steve Coppell.
Zheng's summer will be busier than most as he will also lead the
national team to the Asian Cup finals in Southeast Asia in
July.
(China Daily May 10, 2007)