Zhang_Linpeng

Zhang Linpeng

Zhang Linpeng

Chinese footballer

Zhang Linpeng (Chinese: 张琳芃; pinyin: Zhāng Línpéng; born 9 May 1989) is a Chinese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Zhang.
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Zhang is known by the nickname “Zhangmos” for his similarity in looking and playing to Sergio Ramos. An offensive minded defender, Zhang is also known for his tackling ability and aerial game in China.[2] He was highly praised by Italian manager Marcello Lippi who described him as "the best Chinese footballer in the Chinese Super League".[3][4]

Club career

Zhang Linpeng would play as a youngster for the Genbao Football Academy before he graduated to the Shanghai East Asia's first team at the beginning of the 2006 league season. With the club in the third tier, Zhang quickly made an impression within the team when he was part of the squad that won promotion to the second tier at the end of the 2007 league season.[5] Within the second tier, Zhang played a major part in ensuring the club remained in the division and by the 2009 season, the club finished fourth and just missed out on promotion.[6] His performance for his club then saw him receive an unexpected call-up to the Chinese national team where he impressed many by scoring on his debut against Jordan, and he became one of the most sought-after players in China.

Guangzhou Evergrande

In November 2010, Zhang joined Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande for a fee of ¥12 million.[7]

He made his debut for the club on 2 April 2011 in a 1–0 win against Dalian Shide.[8] Throughout the season, Zhang was used as a squad player as Guangzhou won their first ever league title at the end of the 2012 season. He soon established himself as a mainstay in the team's backline during the 2013 season, leading the club to a third straight league title as well as an AFC Champions League title, the first in the club's history.

Zhang playing for Guangzhou Evergrande against Tianjin TEDA in the 2012 Chinese FA Super Cup.

During preseason before the 2015 season, Zhang sustained a medial accessory ligament tear on his left knee joint on 7 February 2015 in a friendly match against Hangzhou Greentown.[9][10] While recovering from his surgery in Italy, Zhang was linked with Serie A side Inter Milan[11] with manager Roberto Mancini also confirming his interest in Zhang.[12] However, Guangzhou insisted that Zhang was worth €10 million which far exceeded what Inter was willing to pay.[13] After recovering from injury, Zhang came on as a substitute and scored a goal on 3 April 2015 in a 2–1 loss against Henan Jianye.[14] He then went on to score a 60-meter goal on 12 April 2015 in a 6–1 win against Liaoning Whowin.[15] On 28 May 2015, he suffered a reoccurrence of a left knee strain on 27 May 2015 in a 2–0 win against Seongnam FC.[16] On 20 July 2015, Zhang extended his contract with Guangzhou until 31 December 2020.[17] Zhang returned from injury on 12 August 2015 in a 1–0 win against Jiangsu Sainty.[18] On 28 August 2015, Premier League side Chelsea made an offer to Guangzhou for Zhang, hoping to complete the transfer before the summer transfer window closed;[19] however, the deal couldn't be completed due to limited time while the two clubs failed to agree on certain terms during negotiations.[20] Zhang stayed at Evergrande and won his second AFC Champions League title with the team at the end of the season.

Zhang cemented his status as a club legend at Guangzhou Evergrande after winning 8 league titles, 2 Chinese FA Cup, 4 Chinese FA Super Cup and 2 AFC Champions League.

Return to Shanghai Port

On 29 April 2022, Zhang transferred back to his old side Shanghai Port after 12 years.[21] On 29 October 2023, Zhang won his ninth league title and the first one with Shanghai Port after a 1–1 home draw against league competitor, Shandong Taishan. [22]

International career

Zhang worked his way up through various youth levels, first by playing for the Chinese under-20 national team in the 2008 AFC U-19 Championship where he captained the team to the quarter-finals.[23] This saw him promoted to the Chinese under-23 national team to play in the 2009 East Asian Games where China disappointingly were knocked out in the group stage.[24]

Senior

Zhang getting a yellow card in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup match against Thailand.

Despite the under-23 national team's failures, Zhang's performances were considered good enough for then manager Gao Hongbo to unexpectedly call him up to the national team even though he was playing for a second-tier side. He made an impressive international debut on 30 December 2009 in a 2–2 draw against Jordan, scoring on his debut as well.[25] After his debut, Zhang was called up to the squad that won the 2010 East Asian Football Championship before establishing himself as a regular for the team that took part in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

Zhang played in all three of China's matches at the 2011 Asian Cup, scoring in the team's 2–0 win over Kuwait. He also started in all four of China's matches at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, where the team reached the quarter-finals, losing to hosts and eventual winners Australia in Brisbane.[26]

Zhang appeared at his third AFC Asian Cup in 2019 and played the full 90 minutes in all of the team's first four matches. However, he was suspended for the quarter-final against Iran, which China lost 3–0.[27]

On 21 November 2023, Zhang made his 100th appearance for the national team in a 3-0 home defeat against South Korea in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. [28]

In December 2023, Zhang was named in China's squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, again played full 90 minutes in all 3 group matches in his fourth tournament and captained the team in the first two.[29]

In March 2024, Zhang announced his retirement from international football after an embarrassing performance against Singapore during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, before reversing his decision two days later.[30]

Personal life

Zhang is of Hui ethnicity and he was renowned to be rebellious at his youth.[31][32] He married his girlfriend Wang Qiaozhi on 21 May 2011 and their son was born on 1 September 2014.[33][34]

Career statistics

Club

As of 30 March 2024[35]
More information Club, Season ...
  1. Appearances in Chinese FA Super Cup
  2. One appearance in Chinese FA Super Cup, three appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  3. One appearance in Chinese FA Super Cup, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup

International

More information National team, Year ...
As of 16 June 2023 [35]
Scores and results list China's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zhang goal.
More information No., Date ...

Honours

Club

Shanghai Port

Guangzhou

International

China

Individual

See also

Notes

    References

    1. [1]
      "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 December 2013. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2013.
    2. [2]
      Atkins, Chris. "Zhang giving Chinese game needed boost". espnfc.com. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
    3. [3]
      "里皮确认巴里奥斯广州德比首秀 评国安是最强对手". sina.com. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
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      "Cucina italiana e lavoro europeo: qui sto davvero benissimo". La Gazzetta dello Sport. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
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      "China 2007". RSSSF. 18 April 2008. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
    6. [6]
      "China 2009". RSSSF. 23 April 2010. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
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      "恒大巧避足协限价令 1200万天价签约国足红人". sports.163.com. 26 November 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
    8. [8]
      "最贵外援一剑封喉 恒大1-0实德开门红". sports.sohu.com. 2 April 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
    9. [9]
      "张琳芃赴意大利检查伤情 若手术至少休战三个月". sports.sohu.com. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    10. [10]
      "张琳芃自曝赴意大利手术成功 期待尽快重返球场". sports.163.com. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    11. [11]
      "Ausilio blocca il turco Ozyakup Offerto Zhang". La Gazzetta dello Sport. 15 February 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    12. [12]
      "Mancini, tutti nel mirino "Se prendiamo la porta la Lazio si può battere..."". La Gazzetta dello Sport. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
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      "国米欲买张琳芃恒大标价1000万欧元". sports.163.com. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    14. [14]
      "中超-埃神失点球张琳芃建功难救主 恒大1-2建业". sports.163.com. 3 April 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
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      "中超-张琳芃60米吊射埃神两球 恒大6-1胜辽足". sports.sina.com. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    16. [16]
      "张琳芃因膝伤缺阵一个月 悲催!2015年已两度重伤". sports.163.com. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    17. [17]
      "恒大官方宣布续约张琳芃 签五年效力至2020". sports.sina.com. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
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      "舜天vs恒大首发：埃神张琳芃领衔5大伤员复出". sports.sina.com. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    19. [19]
      "Chelsea transfer news: Mourinho confident of securing defender Zhang Linpeng's signature". The Daily Telegraph. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    20. [20]
      "Zhang's 'dream' transfer to Chelsea off". China Internet Information Center. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    21. [21]
      "官方：现役国脚张琳芃、徐新加盟上海海港" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
    22. [22]
      "海港1-1山东夺队史第二个中超冠军，双方各罚下两人" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
    23. [23]
      "MATCH SUMMARY - Afc" (PDF). the-afc.com. 8 November 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
    24. [24]
      "Hong Kong vs DPR Korea - HKFA". hkfa.com. 10 December 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
    25. [25]
      "China PR 2-2 Jordan". teamchina.freehostia.com. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
    26. [26]
      "Sensational Cahill sends Socceroos into semi-finals". Socceroos. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
    27. [27]
      "国足0:3伊朗！朱广沪爆内情，称赞一人表现，张琳芃感言意味深长". Toutiao (in Chinese). Retrieved 15 January 2024.
    28. [28]
      "迎来国脚生涯百场里程碑，张琳芃获赠纪念球衣" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
    29. [29]
      "Group A: China PR 0-0 Tajikistan". Asian Football Confederation. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
    30. [30]
      "China captain Zhang announces retirement U-turn" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
    31. [31]
      "张琳芃:右臂纹身献给妻子 有机会一定回山东效力". sports.163.com. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    32. [32]
      "同样都是回民，为什么武磊没有纹身，而张琳芃把自己画成了地图？". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
    33. [33]
      "张琳芃周末登记结婚". Guangzhou Daily. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    34. [34]
      "张琳芃喜当爹晒爱子萌照 网友:再生10个组个国足". sports.163.com. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
    35. [35]
      Zhang Linpeng at Soccerway
    36. [36]
      "足协杯-张琳芃传射8024两球 恒大总分5-3贵州夺冠". Sports.sina.com.cn. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
    37. [37]
      足协杯-黄博文世界波救主 恒大总分3-3苏宁夺冠 (in Chinese). Sports.sina.com.cn. 27 November 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
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