His movement, tight control and quality passing, pressuring opponents in their vulnerable defensive areas - let alone he would have been worth a dozen goals from midfield this season.
Zheng Zhi has left Charlton after turning down the club's offer of a new contract, the Addicks have confirmed.
The China international's deal expired at the end of June and Charlton were keen to hold talks with the star in a bid to keep him in SE7.
However, the midfielder - the first Chinese player to represent the Addicks - has elected to exit The Valley to head for pastures new, and is now on the lookout for a new club.
Addicks manager Phil Parkinson told the official website: "We have spoken to ZiZi's advisors about a new deal, but they've made clear that he's not keen on playing in the third flight.
"He wants to play at the highest possible level and it's clear they are pursuing other options. Given the situation, I'd like to thank ZiZi for his efforts for the club."
After playing 12 games on loan for Charlton in the Premier League in 2006/07, the Addicks beat off interest from several top-flight outfits to convince the two-time China player of the year to return to SE7, despite the club's relegation from the top flight.
Zheng signed a permanent deal at The Valley two days before the start of the 2007/08 season, with Charlton paying Shandong Luneng an initial £1.25m for his services.
He scored nine goals in Charlton's first campaign in the Championship, finishing as runner-up to Matt Holland in the player of the year poll and turned down interest from West Bromwich Albion to stay with the Addicks.
After representing his country at the 2008 Olympic Games in his homeland, Zheng returned to SE7 with a groin problem. He returned to the first-team against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park only to suffer a foot injury in training a few days later.
His presence was sorely missed as the Addicks struggled at the wrong end of the table, and by the time he returned to action in the 3-2 defeat to Watford at The Valley in March, Charlton's relegation to League One was all but confirmed.
In total, he played 70 times for Charlton, scoring 11 goals along the way.
Zheng's departure means there are only three out-of-contract players whose futures remain unresolved - Jonathan Fortune, nearing a return to training after injury, Matt Holland and Darren Randolph.
And Parkinson said the club hadn't ruled out new deals for any of the trio.
"Unfortunately, we have been unable to finalise concrete contract offers with the remaining players, but we certainly haven't ruled anything out at the moment," he said.
"Jonathan and Darren are still training with the club, while Matty has decided to do his pre-season at Colchester United because it's closer to his home."
Zheng becomes the ninth senior player to depart The Valley this summer. Mark Hudson joined Cardiff City last Thursday, while Harry Arter, Josh Wright, Darren Ambrose, Svetoslav Todorov, Nicky Weaver, Aswad Thomas and Rashid Yussuff were all released following the expiry of their contracts.
Ambrose has since joined local rivals Crystal Palace, while Wright signed for Scunthorpe United on Monday.
Feck it, thought the guy was class, and had the ability to open up a defence as well as score from midfield, thanks ZZ for your time at Charlton, but i dont blame you for doing one, mind you i wouldnt go back to China just yet,
That was on the cards, so no great dissapointment, as for the other three out of contracts onl;y Fortune reall would be a dissapointment if he left, especially as we only have 1 central defender. Whilst randolph would be good to keep, with Elliot holding the shirt and putting in the effort over the summer, randolph is replaceable. As for matty, he is no more than a nice to have.
Surprised if ZZ went back to China, on a free he has shown that he is worth the risk at top Championship lower Prem level and of course if marketed right could bring in a lot of revenue. .. Fulham to take a punt?
I wonder if people will still be saying its not the end of the world when Bailey and Shelvey are gone as well? All the more reason to query the madness of letting a young player like Wright leave....but to still be considering offering the 35 year Old Holland a contract.....The club is like a headless chicken at the moment.
a little disapointed but more due to us only signing him on a 2 year contract in the first place and therefore allowing him to leave now on a free. I'd be more gutted to lose Bailey, Jonjo or Racon so no great shakes for me!
Is this more that he was hanging on for a decent contract offer re takeover and now a takeover is most unlikely his contract is not forthcoming.
Good for all his undoubted qualities we require battlers. The ponderables of getting the best out of players like Ambrose and ZZ always weakened us in my oppinion. Yes they could shine but all too often they didn't win matches and we were stuffed trying to accomodate them. We need a settled side that fights for itself and isn't always worried about being blamed after one good result.
What others have said, expected, can't blame him, was always unlikely he'd want to stay. Good luck to him. Would have scored goals and been involved in the moves to create them.
Hope we keep Fortune and Randolph, good sign that they are still training with us. If we can keep Shelvey, Bailey and Racon (remember we also have Spring and Sinclair, ok as League One squad players, and Semedo can play there) we'd be better off letting Holland go, I really don't think he offers enough all round to justify the decent wages he'll surely be on.
[cite]Posted By: StrikerFirmani[/cite]Expected so no surprise. Not the end of the world either
Might be if 2 of Jonjo, Racon or Bailey go as well.
Now I would be surprised if 2 of the 3 left, one possibly. However the remaining 3 are worth money and are under contract so the club are not going to cash in unless they are offers you just can't refuse.
Did anyone realistically expect him to stay given his age and limited career span? It's not as if we were ever going to pay him "top dollar" was it.
Bailey and Shelvey in particular's situation is slightly different in that, especially in JJ's case, they have a good few years left and it may well be that we can do a "Ronaldo" with him i.e. agree a fee with a Premier League Club on the basis that he stays with us for one more year. That way he gets regular games (ask John Bostock about that) and gets a big move.
[cite]Posted By: ColinTat[/cite]Is this more that he was hanging on for a decent contract offer re takeover and now a takeover is most unlikely his contract is not forthcoming.
Good for all his undoubted qualities we require battlers. The ponderables of getting the best out of players like Ambrose and ZZ always weakened us in my oppinion. Yes they could shine but all too often they didn't win matches and we were stuffed trying to accomodate them. We need a settled side that fights for itself and isn't always worried about being blamed after one good result.
I am inclined to agree with this line of thought myself.
a little disappointed but that's far outweighed by the fact i'm not in the slightest bit surprised. He's an international footballer, a quality player, who's spent his charlton career plummetting down the divisions.
Comments
His movement, tight control and quality passing, pressuring opponents in their vulnerable defensive areas - let alone he would have been worth a dozen goals from midfield this season.
Zheng Zhi has left Charlton after turning down the club's offer of a new contract, the Addicks have confirmed.
The China international's deal expired at the end of June and Charlton were keen to hold talks with the star in a bid to keep him in SE7.
However, the midfielder - the first Chinese player to represent the Addicks - has elected to exit The Valley to head for pastures new, and is now on the lookout for a new club.
Addicks manager Phil Parkinson told the official website: "We have spoken to ZiZi's advisors about a new deal, but they've made clear that he's not keen on playing in the third flight.
"He wants to play at the highest possible level and it's clear they are pursuing other options. Given the situation, I'd like to thank ZiZi for his efforts for the club."
After playing 12 games on loan for Charlton in the Premier League in 2006/07, the Addicks beat off interest from several top-flight outfits to convince the two-time China player of the year to return to SE7, despite the club's relegation from the top flight.
Zheng signed a permanent deal at The Valley two days before the start of the 2007/08 season, with Charlton paying Shandong Luneng an initial £1.25m for his services.
He scored nine goals in Charlton's first campaign in the Championship, finishing as runner-up to Matt Holland in the player of the year poll and turned down interest from West Bromwich Albion to stay with the Addicks.
After representing his country at the 2008 Olympic Games in his homeland, Zheng returned to SE7 with a groin problem. He returned to the first-team against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park only to suffer a foot injury in training a few days later.
His presence was sorely missed as the Addicks struggled at the wrong end of the table, and by the time he returned to action in the 3-2 defeat to Watford at The Valley in March, Charlton's relegation to League One was all but confirmed.
In total, he played 70 times for Charlton, scoring 11 goals along the way.
Zheng's departure means there are only three out-of-contract players whose futures remain unresolved - Jonathan Fortune, nearing a return to training after injury, Matt Holland and Darren Randolph.
And Parkinson said the club hadn't ruled out new deals for any of the trio.
"Unfortunately, we have been unable to finalise concrete contract offers with the remaining players, but we certainly haven't ruled anything out at the moment," he said.
"Jonathan and Darren are still training with the club, while Matty has decided to do his pre-season at Colchester United because it's closer to his home."
Zheng becomes the ninth senior player to depart The Valley this summer. Mark Hudson joined Cardiff City last Thursday, while Harry Arter, Josh Wright, Darren Ambrose, Svetoslav Todorov, Nicky Weaver, Aswad Thomas and Rashid Yussuff were all released following the expiry of their contracts.
Ambrose has since joined local rivals Crystal Palace, while Wright signed for Scunthorpe United on Monday.
Surprised if ZZ went back to China, on a free he has shown that he is worth the risk at top Championship lower Prem level and of course if marketed right could bring in a lot of revenue. .. Fulham to take a punt?
Might be if 2 of Jonjo, Racon or Bailey go as well.
More money off the wage bill, so good news.
Good for all his undoubted qualities we require battlers. The ponderables of getting the best out of players like Ambrose and ZZ always weakened us in my oppinion. Yes they could shine but all too often they didn't win matches and we were stuffed trying to accomodate them. We need a settled side that fights for itself and isn't always worried about being blamed after one good result.
I cant help think if the takeover was through we could have sold him on the idea........ if these guys coming in have got any money that is.....
agreed
I just hope we can keep Jonjo, Bailey, Racon and Sam.
All the best to ZZ in the future.
Will be interesting to see where else that is.
Good luck ZZ and best wishes.
Hope we keep Fortune and Randolph, good sign that they are still training with us. If we can keep Shelvey, Bailey and Racon (remember we also have Spring and Sinclair, ok as League One squad players, and Semedo can play there) we'd be better off letting Holland go, I really don't think he offers enough all round to justify the decent wages he'll surely be on.
Now I would be surprised if 2 of the 3 left, one possibly. However the remaining 3 are worth money and are under contract so the club are not going to cash in unless they are offers you just can't refuse.
Bailey and Shelvey in particular's situation is slightly different in that, especially in JJ's case, they have a good few years left and it may well be that we can do a "Ronaldo" with him i.e. agree a fee with a Premier League Club on the basis that he stays with us for one more year. That way he gets regular games (ask John Bostock about that) and gets a big move.
I am inclined to agree with this line of thought myself.
Anyone who's at all surprised he's gone is mad!