Last year an average of almost 35 million people watched the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final on television in Germany, cheering on their team en route to a fourth title in Rio de Janeiro.? The match set record domestic viewing figures in Germany that are unlikely to ever be beaten.
Yet that tally is dwarfed by the 44 million people in China PR who tuned in to a different televised event, perhaps an unsurprising number of viewers given that the Asian country?s population is almost 15 times that of Germany?s. The most remarkable thing about that occasion was the event itself; it was not a major sports tournament or political rally but ?merely? the unveiling of a Chinese footballer at his new club. The player in question is Xizhe Zhang, whose first press conference at Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg after joining from Beijing Guoan a few weeks ago was broadcast live on Chinese state television. The 24-year-old midfielder is the 11th Chinese player to move to the Bundesliga, following in the footsteps of his trailblazing compatriot Gu Guangming, who signed for Darmstadt 98 in 1987. He hit 24 goals in 115 appearances in the Chinese Super League and earned ten caps to date for the Chinese national team, scoring twice. In an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, Zhang speaks about his adventure in Europe, his role as a national ambassador and the first few weeks in his new home. Excerpts:
You have been in Wolfsburg for approximately two months now. What are your first impressions overall?
My first impressions have been very, very good. The team welcomed me really well; my team-mates are very friendly and helpful and give me a lot of tips. Of course, compared to Beijing, Wolfsburg is a lot smaller, but it has lots of nice areas. Above all, I can focus on football in peace here and work intensively on learning German. Unfortunately I haven?t experienced much of the rest of Germany because straight after my arrival we started preparing for the second half of the season, but I?ll definitely catch up on that later. The people here are all very friendly and courteous.
What do you miss from your homeland?
I miss my family and friends mainly, but I miss Chinese food too [laughs].
What is it like training alongside numerous big stars from the world of football? Did you have to get used to playing at a higher level?
Absolutely. The pace of the game in the Bundesliga is a lot faster than it is in China, and you need greater athleticism here too. But I?m happy to play alongside such great players and to learn a lot every day.
Some critics say you were only signed for marketing purposes. Do statements like that annoy you? How do you react to them?
Of course it?s unpleasant to hear or read things like that, but I don?t get annoyed by it because I know it?s not true. If that had been the case I wouldn?t have joined Wolfsburg in the first place. From the conversations I?ve had with head coach Dieter Hecking and sporting director Klaus Allofs, I know they believe in me and that they?re convinced I?ll be able to help the club out on the pitch one day. Besides, I?m sure any critics will be silenced when I show what I can do on the field.
Your transfer caused a great deal of hype: your presentation was broadcast live on television in China and now there is a Chinese version of Wolfsburg?s website. How do you deal with such attention?
I wasn?t surprised that my signing generated such interest. China is a huge country and has a lot of football fans. As I?m currently the only Chinese player at a big club in one of the major European leagues, it was clear that my presentation would be shown back home.
To what extent are you also an ambassador for your country?
I do see myself as a bit of an ambassador, but only in terms of football. I can show that good football is played in China too. On top of that, I hope that if I can establish myself at Wolfsburg then even more children in China will want to play football, and will view me as proof that it is possible to make it in Europe as a Chinese player. That would be good for the development of our game.
What are your strengths? What is your favourite position?
I prefer to play in attacking midfield. In the last two years I?ve done that mainly from the left wing, but I can also play in the middle or on the right. Other people are better placed to judge what my strengths are, but I think I?m pretty good at playing the final ball.
Do you have a role model?
Mesut Ozil. I really like the way he plays. He plays in a similar position to me and is very good at finding the decisive final ball to set up goals.
You have already made several international appearances for China but you did not go to the AFC Asian Cup. Why was that?
Our national team coach Alain Perrin has a lot of good players to choose from in my position, so it?s normal for one or two people to be left our occasionally. Furthermore, the Asian Cup took place in January, so it was at exactly the same time as when I was just getting started at Wolfsburg. It wouldn?t have helped my integration if I?d missed the entire preparation for the second half of the season with my new club.
Do you hope to be called up again soon?
I definitely want to be in the national set-up again as soon as possible and to play for my country. I speak to the coach regularly and he always asks how I?m getting on in Wolfsburg.
China finished in ninth place at Asian Cup. What are the team capable of achieving in the future?
Of course you always want to finish top, but our football is still in the early stages of its development, so our performance at that tournament was another step forward. It would be significant for our progress if more Chinese players came to Europe. That would improve the level of our national team.
Did you follow European football back in China?
Of course! I watched the Bundesliga regularly on television, as well as the English Premier League and Spanish Primera Division. My friends and family now watch the Bundesliga even more closely because Wolfsburg?s games are shown on CCTV every week.
What personal aims have you set yourself for this season and the future?
I want to completely integrate myself into the team as quickly as possible and to learn and understand German. I haven?t set myself an exact timeframe of when I?d like to be included in Wolfsburg?s squad for a competitive match for the first time, but I?ll give everything to make the most of this opportunity and to don the Wolfsburg shirt as soon as possible.
