Zheng upbeat on England's future
(Xinhua)Updated: 2007-01-07 14:48
China captain Zheng Zhi, who joined English premier league strugglers Charlton Athletic last week, said here on Friday that he will prove his ability and try to play more games at The Valley.
 Zheng Zhi waves to those who see him off at Beijing Capital International Airport before leaving for London January 5, 2006. Zheng has been loaned to the England Premiership side Charlton Athletics till May 20, 2007. [China Foto Press] 
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"As China's best footballer, I know that I could spend a lot of time on the bench. I am ready to play as a substitute at first, but that will not be enough. I have only one goal there, which is to play more games. I will not let the fans down."
Zheng, who just won his second Chinese Footballer of the Year award, admitted he is "not in good form", but he is sure to regain fitness in London as soon as possible.
"After playing the Asian Games with the Chinese team in Doha, Qatar, I have not been training well. But I believe I can find my form very soon," he added.
Zheng joined Charlton Athletic on loan from Chinese Super League and FA Cup champions Shandong Luneng last Friday until the end of the season on a 100,000-pound deal.
The deal, which came into effect when the transfer window opened on January 1, also gave the relegation-threatened Londoners an option to make Zheng's move permanent.
Zheng was new manager Alan Pardew's first signing since he took charge of the club late last year.
Zheng, who also made trials in Southampton last year, said that he has speed and play-making advantages.
"I think they were more impressed with my organizing ability when I was given a trial last November," Zheng said. "They have very good strikers but are weak in the midfield. I am sure I can do it well in that place."
Zheng will be the fourth Chinese player to join an English Premier League side after Manchester City's Sun Jihai, former Everton players Li Tie (now playing in Sheffield United) and Li Weifeng and Sheffield United striker Hao Haidong.
Dong Fangzhuo, signed by Manchester United in 2003, had been loaned to Antwerp since for failing to get a work permit in Britain. He returned to Old Trafford recently but there is little sign that he can get a first team chance.
Manchester City defender Sun, the first Chinese to play in the English premier league since 2002, is the only one who has a relatively successful career in the Premierships.
Zheng said Sun has been his idol since he joined Mancheter City four and a half years ago.
"Seeing Sun play in the English premier league, I made up my mind that one day I would also go there. Now joining Charlton Athletic is a dream come true," Zheng said.
Charlton, who have had three managers this season, lie second from bottom of the table with 16 points from 22 matches. They will take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday in a FA Cup tie.
Charlton's next premier league match is a crucial home clash against Middlesbrough on January 13.
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