Chapter 516 The 4th Man in the Premier League

Shandong Luneng Club held a press conference in Jinan to officially announce that Zheng Zhi successfully joined the Premier League Charlton Club. The loan period ended on May 20, 2007.

According to Luneng Club Vice President Han Gongzheng, Shandong Luneng and Charlton reached a consensus that afternoon and formally signed a contract for Zheng Zhi to join. Zheng Zhi will adopt a lease-then-transfer method. The contract period is from September 1, 2006 to 2007. On May 20, 2019, after the lease period expired, the two parties will discuss the permanent transfer of Zheng Zhi.

He also said: "Zheng Zhi is one of the best players in China. Since joining Luneng Taishan in early 2005, his performance has been very outstanding. Although the team wanted to win the double championship in 2006, the club decided to let him go. This time This move to the Premier League is undoubtedly a very good opportunity for him, and it is also the reason why Luneng is willing to bear the pain and give up." However, he did not disclose the price of Zheng Zhi's loan.

On the afternoon of the same day, Premier League Charlton Club also announced on its official website that it had confirmed the signing of Chinese player Zheng Zhi from Shandong Luneng on loan.

Charlton Club also introduced that Zheng Zhi is the first Chinese player signed in the team's history. This has expanded the team's international player base to 15 different nationalities and come from 5 continents. In addition, Charlton said that Zheng Zhi will become the fourth Chinese player to play in the Premier League this season, following Manchester City's Sun Jihai, Sheffield United's Li Tie, and Manchester United's Dong Fangzhuo.

Come early!

After reading the information in surprise, Dong Fangzhuo remembered that Zheng Zhi had only joined Charlton during the winter transfer period, not now.

Of course, this is definitely a good thing for Charlton. Because Zheng Zhi joined half a year earlier, he might not need to be relegated at the end of the season...

It is also a good thing for Chinese football. Zheng Zhi has already made a bit of a reputation in the World Cup, so it is not surprising at all to be able to come to Charlton.

Unfortunately, Zheng Zhi was unable to make it to the second round of the Premier League. In the second round of the Premier League, Charlton faced Manchester United at home.

After beating Fulham 6-1 at home in the first round, Ferguson made decisive adjustments when traveling to Charlton.

He took Giggs off and started Modric.

Although Manchester United did not score many goals in the second half of the game against Fulham, only two, Manchester United showed rare dominance on the court, which has not been seen in recent years.

Now that the emergence of Modric can give Manchester United a qualitative leap in the midfield, how can Ferguson still put him on the bench?

Although the degree of running-in is far from enough,

But Ferguson can't wait any longer. If he doesn't take advantage of the beginning of the season, it will be too late by the middle of the season.

As a result, his venture was immediately met with skepticism by many in the news media.

"Manchester Evening News" columnist James wrote: "There is nothing wrong with using Modric, but he is a little anxious. Modric should be allowed to play as a substitute for a few more games. It is not too late to start him after he gets familiar with it."

"Ferguson is playing with fire at the beginning of the season. If he loses the game, Manchester United will follow Chelsea again." The Times is not optimistic about starting Modric. "The reason why they won the first round is because Manchester United already led 4-0 in the first half, but Fulham gave up the game in the second half, so it seemed that Manchester United had more control in the second half. This is an illusion."

"Let's play, this is a good thing for Liverpool and other teams after all." "Daily Mail" supports Ferguson very much. After all, it is a good thing to lose one opponent...

However, Ferguson still insisted on his own approach and let Modric start.

Charlton's last victory over Manchester United dates back to November 4, 1989. Since then, Manchester United has remained unbeaten in 17 meetings in the past 16 years.

Manchester United has a huge psychological advantage, but history is history after all, and history is meant to be changed.

Charlton fans are also well prepared. In order to help the team contain Manchester United's trident, Dong Fangzhuo, Ronaldo and Rooney were booed by the fans every time they got the ball in the away game, but this was of no use. If the boos If you can make a team fail, then do you still need to play?

In the first half, the midfield controlled by Modric, Carrick and Scholes hardly allowed Charlton any good opportunities. Instead, Charlton players received three yellow cards.

Manchester United created nearly ten chances, but they were all squandered by Rooney and Ronaldo. Dong Fangzhuo got an excellent single-shot opportunity in the 29th minute. It was passed by Modric, but the referee whistled for offside.

"Look, Ferguson is still too anxious. If Giggs starts, Manchester United may already be ahead."

Lineker is also a bit dissatisfied with Ferguson's formation.

"Manchester United's possession of the ball reached 59%, which seems to be quite advantageous, but football games are never won by high possession rate, but by goals. In the entire first half, the Manchester United captain only had one shot chance, and he was still a Offside, this is the biggest problem. Normally at this time, the Manchester United captain has already scored. Of course, if Rooney and Ronaldo don't squander the opportunity, then Manchester United can also take the lead."

As the first half came to an end, Lineker was still chattering, a little worried about Dong Fangzhuo.

Modric seemed to have heard Lineker's complaints. In the 44th minute, he and Scholes played two one-twos in a row. He rushed the ball to Charlton's goal and looked up. Dong Fangzhuo and the others were watched closely by the opposing players, and then he suddenly raised his right foot and fired a blast.

call--

The ball made a huge wave and flew into the lower right corner of Charlton's goal.

"Oh, goooooooooooooooooooooooal!"

"It was too sudden. Modric shot a cold arrow in front of the penalty area and changed the score, 1:0!"

"Okay, I was wrong. This guy is so unexpected. He actually has the unique skill of shooting from a long distance."

"This was his first shot of the game, and it actually went in. What can I say? It's really..."

Ferguson finally breathed a sigh of relief off the court, and there was no better way than to score a goal himself...

Once Manchester United takes the lead, the rest is simple.

At the beginning of the second half, Modric split the ball and Carrick made a pass from the right. The opponent's defender made a mistake in clearing the ball. Ronaldo passed the opponent's center defender 6 yards on the right side of the penalty area and then shot into the near corner.

Manchester United rewritten the score to 2:0.

In the 80th minute, it was Modric's turn to pull a cross from the right. Dong Fangzhuo finally received Modric's first assist. He stopped the ball in the chest and turned around 20 yards from the center to volley with his left foot into the lower right corner of the net.

In the end, Manchester United defeated Charlton 3-0 in an away game. Manchester United occupied the top spot in the standings with two consecutive victories. Charlton was also the first team to lose at home since the start of the Premier League...

With a happy mood, Ferguson went to UEFA headquarters to participate in the group draw ceremony of the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League...