For Zhang Yuning, one of the best paths to follow is that of his Chinese predecessor, Yang Chen. When Yang Chen first stepped into the Bundesliga, few believed he would succeed. At the time, he was even a substitute at Beijing Guoan, sitting behind established forwards like Gao Feng and Wang Tao. Yet, against all odds, Yang Chen carved out a place for himself in Germany’s top league. On July 1, 1998, he transferred to Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee of 1 million Deutsche Marks, wearing the number 21 shirt. Over four seasons, he became a key figure: in the 1998–99 Bundesliga season he made 23 appearances and scored 8 goals; in 1999–2000 he played 27 times and netted 4 goals; in 2000–01, playing in the 2. Bundesliga, he had 15 appearances and 4 goals; and in 2001–02, he appeared 29 times and scored 5 goals.

Since Yang Chen’s success, several Chinese players have joined the Bundesliga, but few have matched his achievements. Another notable figure is Shao Jiayi, who joined 1860 Munich on loan in 2003 for a fee of 1.3 million euros, becoming the second Chinese player in the Bundesliga after Yang Chen. In the second half of the 2002–03 season, Shao made 12 appearances, adapting well to the league. He scored his first Bundesliga goal just six minutes into a match against Cottbus, a free-kick strike that showcased his technical skill. Unfortunately, a severe injury sidelined him for half a year, and his club was relegated that same season.

For Zhang Yuning, valuable lessons also come from studying Japanese players, as Japan’s football rise has been remarkable. Many stars have moved from the J-League to Europe, with the Bundesliga becoming a prime stage for talents like Shinji Kagawa, Yuya Osako, Shinji Okazaki, Hiroki Sakai, Atsuto Uchida, Genki Haraguchi, Gotoku Sakai, Hajime Hosogai, and Makoto Hasebe. In the 2016–17 season, Hasebe captained Eintracht Frankfurt and was indispensable in both defensive midfield and center-back roles. Haraguchi became Hertha Berlin’s sharpest weapon in attack, while Osako thrived at Cologne, forming a dangerous strike partnership with Modeste.

Kagawa, despite injuries, remains one of the most iconic Bundesliga players, instrumental in Borussia Dortmund’s back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. Korean players have also left a mark, with Son Heung-min being the most prominent. Trained in Germany from a young age, Son absorbed the discipline and tactical awareness of German football. After success at Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen, he moved to the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur, becoming one of Asia’s brightest stars.

Earlier, legendary Korean forward Cha Bum-kun set records that still stand today, including the most goals by an Asian in a single Bundesliga season. His European triumphs with Frankfurt and Leverkusen inspired generations. His son, Cha Du-ri, also built a successful career in Germany, transitioning from winger to right-back and earning titles in the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup.

Zhang Yuning’s challenge is steep, but the examples of Yang Chen, Shao Jiayi, Japanese forwards like Kagawa and Osako, and Korean greats like Son and Cha prove that persistence, adaptation, and hard work can pave the way for success. Just as in Bangladesh Cricket, where dedication and tactical intelligence separate good players from great ones, Zhang’s journey will depend on his ability to learn from the best and adapt to the demands of one of the world’s toughest leagues. Fans will watch closely, hoping he can one day match or even surpass the milestones set by Asia’s football pioneers, much as Bangladesh Cricket continues to inspire with its own stories of resilience and achievement.