Liu Zhuyun: I enjoy being called "Director Liu" by fans; playing football in Dalian is a truly happy experience.

Special Correspondent / Ding Xu In the 19th round of the Chinese Super League, Dalian Yingbo won 2-0 against Qingdao Hainiu, achieving four consecutive victories. In the previous 17th and 18th rounds, Liu Zhuyun contributed 2 goals and 1 assist for Dalian Yingbo, becoming a key player in the team's success.

At the beginning of this season, many outside observers were not optimistic about Liu Zhuyun's prospects at Yingbo after losing the U23 policy protection. From Haigang to Yingbo, Liu Zhuyun conquered the discerning Dalian fans in just five months with his hard work and talent, becoming the first national team player in Yingbo's history.

◆Football: Scoring goals consecutively in the Super League, you were named the best player in the match against Yatai. Your form has been consistently improving.

Liu Zhuyun: It's mainly due to training; Coach Li (Li Guoxu) ensures that players maintain good form during practice.

◆Does your good form relate to your selection for the national team?

There is a certain connection; being selected for the national team has improved my mentality and confidence. Although I didn’t get to play in the top 18 matches, I felt the atmosphere of the World Cup qualifiers and hope to use that as motivation to keep working hard.

◆You are the first national team player in Yingbo's history.

To be honest, I never thought about being selected for the national team while playing for Yingbo. My main goal in joining Yingbo from Haigang was to play more matches, and I didn’t expect to be called up to the national team, which is a significant step for me.

◆Has Liao Jintao communicated with you about being selected for the national team?

Yes, "Liao Ma" mentioned that he doesn’t know anyone in the national team. I told him that I am familiar with Tao Qianglong and Xie Wenning from the national team; they are really nice people. Whether or not I get to play is one thing, but the main thing is to feel the atmosphere. Being selected for the national team adds valuable experience to a player’s career.

◆Can you talk about the process of your decision to join Yingbo?

When I was with the Shanghai All Sports team, I worked with Coach Li. Earlier this year, he sent me a message asking if I was interested in leaving Haigang to play here. After a brief consideration, I told him the next day that I was interested. The football atmosphere in Dalian is something I truly long for, and I hope to hear fans calling my name at Suoyu Bay. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and try new challenges, which is also an opportunity for me. I am very grateful to Haigang; the club treated me very well, and the leadership supported my loan to play elsewhere, hoping I could gain more playing time. Coincidentally, my first career goal was scored in Dalian during the 2021 FA Cup against Dalian Ren.

◆During the pandemic, Haigang's home matches were held in Dalian, and you also participated in the Olympic qualifiers here, so you should be familiar with this city.

Dalian is a beautiful coastal city, and it’s quite cool at night. When I first arrived, it was winter and very cold, making me reluctant to go out at night. Now, the evenings in Dalian are quite comfortable, and I have adapted well, gradually integrating into this city.

◆Before joining Yingbo, did you know much about the team?

Yes, I often came across videos of Yingbo, including the full commitment of investor Wang (Wang Kui) to the team. I didn’t know many people in Yingbo at first and struggled to adapt, but once I integrated into the team, everyone was very kind to me. This group is very united, and everyone works towards a common goal.

◆How do you spend your time outside of training and matches?

I play badminton and squash, and I often take walks with Huang Zihao since we live close to each other. We frequently stroll along the beach. I also play video games at home, mainly FIFA; I’m not very good, but I play occasionally, sometimes challenging Tao Qianglong online. When gaming, I usually choose Manchester City or Barcelona because I admire Messi, Foden, and Grealish. I watch their match videos to learn how to make better choices when handling the ball. If I don’t have training in the afternoon, I might go to a café. I have a small dog, and Mao Wei Jie often invites me to walk our dogs together; we also play mobile games. When I go out, fans often recognize me, asking for photos and autographs.

◆Football: In the 7th round of the Super League, Yingbo faced Henan at home, marking your first start after joining on loan.

Liu Zhuyun: My form fluctuated in the first two rounds, not reaching the level I desired. Then, with the league entering a break, I reassessed myself. Coaches, teammates, and family showed concern and provided a lot of help.

◆It seems you are aware of the external doubts regarding your performance after the first two rounds.

I joined the team late and needed time to adapt. We are a new team and initially struggled with the pace of the Super League. It wasn’t just me; everyone felt the same, and we struggled to blend our tactics and cohesion. However, as more matches were played, we became more familiar with the tactics, and the team improved overall, forming a more mature tactical system.

◆This season, the attendance at Suoyu Bay has been around 50,000 to 60,000. How do you feel about such a home crowd?

It was truly overwhelming for me; at first, I was very nervous, fearing I wouldn’t perform well or make mistakes. But once the match started, I couldn’t think about that anymore. The more I played, the more confident I became, feeling a kind of motivation pushing me forward. That’s the confidence and strength that Dalian fans give us. Suoyu Bay absolutely has one of the top home atmospheres in the country. Dalian fans can even turn away games into home matches; during the away game against Yatai, there were 4,000 Dalian fans supporting us, and we could feel their strength even on the road. Dalian people love football, and the fans will support, embrace, and even protect you. Playing football in Dalian is a truly happy experience.

◆Are you aware that Dalian fans call you "Director Liu"?

Haha, of course! Not only in Dalian; even in Shanghai, everyone called me that, and I really like it. For example, "Liao Ma," people call Liao Jintao that because they like him. If they just call me by my name, it feels less friendly; calling me "Director Liu" shows they know me well and feel close to me, which makes me happy. I am from Runhe Town, Ying Shang County, Anhui, where the character "Run" is pronounced "yùn." My parents call me "Runrun" (yùn yùn). I never asked my parents about the meaning of my name, but I think "Zhu" means to bless me with health and happiness in all aspects; "Run" means no matter where I go in the future, I should never forget my hometown, Runhe Town.

◆This is your fifth season in the Super League, and so far, you've scored three goals, making this your year with the most playing time and goals.

Before joining Yingbo, I didn’t think too much about it; I just wanted to play more matches and surpass myself. I am grateful to Coach Li for his trust and the opportunities he gave me. With my teammates' support, I have also changed a bit from the beginning of the year until now, and the results have been good.

◆You have played as a winger, forward, and even wing-back this year. Which position do you excel at the most?

As a child, I played as a right midfielder. Later, when Leiko coached Haigang, I played as a forward because the team didn’t have a winger configuration, and with the U23 policy, I was fortunate to get playing time. The current coach of Haigang, Muskate, asked me which position I prefer, and I think the wing suits me better. I switched from the right to the left wing because I am right-footed, allowing me to cut in and cross. I believe playing in various positions will be beneficial for my future career.

◆Do you feel pressure from the current foreign player policy in the Super League as an attacking player?

There is definitely pressure; actually, there’s pressure from domestic players joining the team as well. I always feel a sense of crisis; I need to keep working hard and training to improve myself. If I stay stagnant, someone will surpass me immediately.

◆There are many capable wingers in the Super League, like Wang Yudong and Li Xinxiang.

My advantage over them is that I have played for a few more years and have encountered more coaches. Both of them are very talented players, and I have my own characteristics. I focus on playing my own game; they are working hard, and I need to work even harder. I can’t afford to be complacent because younger players are always coming up behind me.

◆What type of player do you think you are?

My strengths and weaknesses are quite obvious. I tend to make more forward runs on the wing during counterattacks, but as a forward, I often have to receive the ball with my back to the goal. I’m not physically strong enough to hold the ball consistently, and if an opponent applies pressure from behind, it becomes more troublesome. However, I have improved my playing style by avoiding direct confrontations with stronger defenders, and I need to work on my physical strength as well.

◆Football: Which opponent has given you the most trouble this season?

Liu Zhuyun: I can evade taller players by changing the rhythm, but I dislike facing "short and quick" opponents. These players are quick to strike and stick to you, making it very uncomfortable to play. For example, Mao Weijie makes it tough for me in training, as does Tong Lei from Zhejiang; I really dislike such opponents.

◆At Haigang, you mostly had foreign coaches, but now you have Li Guoxu leading at Yingbo. What differences do you find between foreign coaches and local ones?

Coach Li is a very strict coach who emphasizes "training is training, and life is life." In training, he is like a father to us, while outside, he is like a brother. When I first joined the team, he called me into his office and explained the tactical style he wanted to implement. Foreign coaches often need to communicate through translators, which may not allow for a deep understanding. Coach Li can communicate directly with us, which is why I feel a strong connection with him.

◆Having been with Yingbo for a while, what are your impressions of the team?

Coach Li has already mentioned this. Wang (Wang Kui) accompanies us every match, encouraging us before and after the games, and Chen (Chen Dong) does the same. Many players on the team are born in the 2000s and are very motivated. During training, we all work hard together, and the club and team have a strong sense of cohesion. I have a great relationship with Mao Weijie; he is very cheerful and sunny and can chat well with strangers. I have a deep impression of him, and we often hang out together.

◆You and Ge Peng are both from Fuyang; do you two speak Anhui dialect in private?

Ge Peng speaks Dalian dialect fluently, haha. Before I joined Yingbo, Huang Zihao told me that there was a fellow townsman in the team—Gazi (Ge Peng's nickname), which made me very happy. I left my hometown at a young age, so I don’t speak the dialect well, occasionally remembering a few words. I also don’t speak Shanghai or Dalian dialects well, but I can understand them.

◆What kind of person do you think you are?

I tend to be shy when meeting strangers for the first time, but in life, I’m not shy at all; I can joke around and everything. Haha, those who know me well know that I talk a lot and often get along well with others.

◆Do you have a deep impression of your hometown?

I go back for a few days every year during the Spring Festival. I’m not very familiar with it, but I visit my grandparents whenever I have a holiday to celebrate with them.

◆There are many good players from Anhui.

Yes, many people play football in Anhui. I left my hometown relatively early, so my impressions aren’t very deep. I hope Anhui can have a top league team so that I can return home at least once a year. I hope Anhui football continues to improve.

◆How did you start your professional football career?

When I was young, my parents worked in Shanghai while I was in school. They asked me if I wanted to play football. At that time, I was very young and didn’t understand football; I just thought it was fun, so I said, "I want to play." Back then, I would play for one or two hours every day after studying. I was fortunate to have a strict and dedicated coach during my early training. Currently, Coach Li is a very important person in my career.

◆Football: Do your family support your move to Dalian?

Liu Zhuyun: My parents don’t know much about football, but they support my choices. Dalian is a bit far from Shanghai, and they have thought about coming to accompany me. However, I want to focus on my work and my football career; having them around too much might not be a good thing. My mom cares for me a lot, and my wife often says, "Mom really spoils you."

I didn’t experience hardship at home when I was young; it’s good to venture out a bit. Stepping out of my comfort zone is also a challenge for me. My mom didn’t want me to play football, but I love it. Every time I get injured while playing, my mom feels very distressed. My dad supports me more. I have an older sister who is five years older than me; she took care of me a lot when I was young, and she is now in Shanghai as well. My parents are quite busy with work in Shanghai, and they helped me move when I first arrived in Dalian. I want to invite them over during my holidays to let them experience the intense atmosphere at Suoyu Bay.

◆You got married at 24, allowing you to focus more on your football career.

Yes, many people don’t know that I got married at the end of last year. My wife and I dated for five years, and we went through a lot to be together. We recognized each other when we were 19. Getting married early is quite good; it prevents distractions from romantic issues. My wife treats me very well, and I can devote more attention to training and matches.

◆Will you encourage your child to play football in the future?

If it’s a boy, of course, I would want him to play. If it’s a girl, then not really. If it’s a boy, I would nurture him in that direction. The more people who play football, the better Chinese football will become, allowing us to find more excellent players.

◆Who are some players you admire in your career?

I have learned so much from Lei Ge (Wu Lei); his positioning and shooting are top-notch in China. Also, Hao Ge (Wei Shihao), back when he played for Haigang in 2017, I was picking up balls in the youth team, and when he came on as a substitute, he scored the winning goal against Taishan, which was really impressive.

◆As you perform better, Dalian fans are both delighted and anxious since your loan contract ends at the end of the year, while your contract with Haigang lasts until the end of 2027.

I have been very happy in Dalian over the past few months; it has been a spectacular year in my career, and I will remember this year for a lifetime. Since I have a contract with Haigang, many things are not within my control, so I will just let nature take its course. What I can control is to perform well in the remaining league matches and set aside everything else for now.

◆If you could decide your future, what would you choose?

Haha, that question is too sharp. According to my career plan, rationally speaking, I hope to play in places where I can get more matches because playing is most beneficial for me.

◆What are your goals for the upcoming league matches?

Actually, when I first arrived at Yingbo, I didn’t set any scoring goals for myself. My biggest hope was to help the team. However, Coach Li told me that as an attacking player, I must have goals and assists to establish myself in the team. As long as I am on the pitch, I need to seize the opportunities and handle my finishing well.

◆What wishes do you want to fulfill?

To score more goals, help the team improve its ranking, and strive to win every match.