I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 167: Chapter 58: Chen, the Unfouling God?

But in this match, every tackle and defense by Chen Zhong, when slowed down, showed that Chen Zhong was acting within reasonable bounds, without any elbowing, stepping-on, or other petty actions.

With the growing interest of the fans, more and more videos of Chen Zhong playing soccer have been dug up, and fans on the internet have given high praise to Chen Zhong’s defensive performance.

”This is what iron-blooded defense is! This is it!”

”This is clean and hygienic, the moment he blocked the ball was too handsome.”

”And, when he stood up for his teammates, it really made people overlook the fact that he’s only 16 years old.”

”Is 16 scary? Actually, it’s quite scary! If he can maintain this momentum, by the time he’s 20, he’ll have several years of big match experience.”

”Young people are all monsters! Quite a few monsters have come out of the 90s.”

”Chen, the god of no fouls!”

...

In the 20th round of La Liga, Barcelona also defeated Santander Athletic in this round, which kept the points gap between the two teams from widening further, still maintaining at 7 points.

With Real Madrid having survived many away games in the first half, the second half will see Real Madrid facing more challenges from visiting teams at home, leading many media to believe Real Madrid can defend the La Liga championship.

The next match for Real Madrid is against Villarreal, in the first round of the first half Real Madrid massacred the opponent 7-0 at El Madrigal, which almost made the two teams arch-enemies.

Before this match, Villarreal fans have already started singing ”Revenge” songs, and their core players, the young talents, have also shown up, engaging in verbal exchanges with Real Madrid ahead of the match.

In the Sports City, in the dining hall, players gathered in groups of three or five to eat, with a circle of players around Chen Zhong discussing recent matters.

Marcelo’s mouth was like a machine gun, chattering away about recent happenings.

”Chen, do you still remember that Rossi?”

”Rossi?”

”Yes, the genius from Villarreal, a former Manchester United player.” Marcelo paused and then said: ”Rossi, Rossi, Rossi!”

”You’re our Messi!”

”Who needs Messi?”

”We have Giuseppe Rossi!”

”So, what do you think?” Marcelo looked at Chen Zhong with a face seeking approval: ”Do you have an impression now?”

”Heh.” Chen Zhong chuckled and said: ”Don’t speak out, he’s one of our own.”

The two of them bantered a few more lines, and then Higuain, sitting beside them, spoke up.

”Actually, compared to Rossi, I think we should pay more attention to Godin.”

”That Uruguayan center back.”

Although Higuain is still an unimportant substitute at Real Madrid, he’s always waiting for his chance, so he studies the next opponents to ensure he can seize fleeting opportunities when the time is right.

”No, no, no, compared to Godin, I think Cazorla deserves more attention.”

”He’s very agile, with excellent footwork.”

Chen Zhong continued eating while watching Marcelo and Higuain bicker, and others occasionally joined in, making Chen Zhong’s table the liveliest in the dining hall.

Other players could not help but be attracted by the attention from Chen Zhong’s side.

Drenthe and Van Nistelrooy sat together, both glanced at Robben, who was smiling brightly, and frowned slightly. Drenthe spoke in a low voice: ”I heard the team is planning to bring in Negredo.”

Negredo, currently playing as the main center forward for Almeria, was once playing for Castilla and is one of Spain’s rare power center forwards. He’s performed well in Almeria this season.

Recently, under the collaboration of the ”Youth Training Faction” and numerous Real Madrid supporters, Calderon promised to give more attention to youth training, announcing the plan to re-sign Negredo.

Negredo and Chen Zhong were teammates at Castilla, and the two had a close relationship.

Van Nistelrooy heard Drenthe’s words and silently continued eating.

The boy he looked down on at first is now faintly having the aura of becoming Real Madrid’s new leading figure.

At first, he thought the new season would belong to the Holland contingent, but now looking at the situation...

On the other side, Raul, Guti, Sneijder, Ramos, and Casillas were eating together, looking towards Chen Zhong’s side. Guti became a bit annoyed after noticing Baptista with Chen Zhong.

After all, he had not started in a match for over a month.

Raul looked at Chen Zhong and lowered his head with a slight smile, eyes filled with some emotion, having taught the younger player in his car, and now he had reached this point?

Inside, emotions were somewhat complex. Although nothing had happened yet, Raul already had a premonition about giving up the ”C position.”

Even though he was loved by the Merengues and dubbed as the ”Prince,” becoming Real Madrid’s captain.

But his past in Atletico Madrid’s youth training made his bloodline somewhat ”mixed,” yet Chen Zhong was different.

Valdebebas Sports City, or the training base, he had been there recently as well.

Under the promotion by Castilla and each tier’s ”top students,” the entire Real Madrid youth training system regarded Chen Zhong as the new generation idol.

This level didn’t even compare to what he had before.

A simple lunch, due to Marcelo’s antics, had a bit of an undercurrent, but internally Real Madrid remained harmonious.

Externally, during an interview before the match, Rossi talked about his expectations for the upcoming game and discussed Chen Zhong, which was why Marcelo mentioned Rossi at this match.

”Chen?”

”I don’t think he’s such an outstanding talent.”

”Saying he’s the best of the younger generation, I do not agree.”

Rossi pouted facing the camera and said: ”Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, pardon me, from Chen, I have not seen anything more excellent than them.”

”Yes, maybe they are a bit older than Chen, but from Chen, I can’t feel their kind of talent.”

”Chen is a notch below compared to them.”

When Rossi reached this point, a reporter asked how he viewed the gap between himself and Chen.

Rossi laughed at the reporter’s question and said: ”Sorry, I didn’t mean to compare myself with Chen, I think I should be compared with my two former teammates.”

In the last match, Rossi was closely marked by Chen Zhong, and post-match, Rossi was evidently a bit resentful, having expressed some comments on multiple occasions. Now, the two teams are about to face off again.

Villarreal’s side obviously communicated internally, planning to wash away the humiliation of being massacred in the last match.

This time, they aim to settle all ”debts” at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Manuel Pellegrini, known as the ”Engineer,” accepted interviews before the match without his usual low-key humility.

This man, who has led Villarreal since 2004, clearly held a grudge against Schuster, who created the biggest disaster in his Villarreal coaching career.

It was entirely a style aimed at humiliation and forming enmity, obviously directed by Schuster.

He stated in the pre-match interview, facing the camera, with a serious expression: ”Everyone knows the result of the last match.”

”Real Madrid is a great team.”

”However, Schuster and I have an account to settle.”