I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 209: Chapter 77: Transfer: Unless Chen Is Involved in the Swap

This season, Real Madrid invested 120 million euros in the transfer market. Although they performed well in the league, they did not demonstrate superior strength in the European competitions.

The focus of everyone’s attention has been Schuster’s track record.

The major media outlets have also pointed out Schuster’s lack of foresight and shortcomings.

For instance, his long-term use of Van Nistelrooy and Raul made the team’s playstyle monotonous, and insufficient care for players resulted in frequent injuries.

Some even use the 2004-05 season of Real Madrid as an example.

In the 2004-05 season, under Queiroz’s leadership, the ”Galaxy Battleship” was smooth in the league, but suffered a major collapse from March onwards, because the commonly used players were only 14, and substitute players couldn’t integrate into the team when called upon.

However, compared to Schuster’s current situation, Queiroz at that time could be forgiven, because Real Madrid then was full of superstars, and commercial contracts ”required” them to be on the field most of the time.

But now, the biggest stars in Schuster’s team are Raul and Van Nistelrooy, and their contracts do not have such demands.

Moreover, Van Nistelrooy has already shown through his actions that he is indeed not as good as he used to be.

On the field, the small penalty area king’s goal efficiency is far from what it once was.

What fans can’t understand is, even during Van Nistelrooy’s injury period, Schuster rarely used Real Madrid’s number 9 center forward, Soldado.

Of course, this point has been improved, but according to rumors, Soldado’s opportunity to play is somewhat related to Chen Zhong.

The external media storm is not going to subside in the short term.

Compared to the outspoken Robinho, Chen Zhong appears very calm.

When asked about Kaka’s transfer, Chen Zhong calmly replied, ”We all know this is just a rumor.”

This statement made a clear distinction between him and Robinho’s foolish behavior.

Upon hearing this, Schuster finally revealed a comforting smile.

”Damn Robinho, damn media.”

”There’s been nothing comforting these days.”

”By the way, the next match is against Espanyol, and they’ve ordered us to win against them.”

”Because it’s the club’s damn 106th birthday.”

Recently, the focus of European football has been the San Siro Stadium, celebrating Inter Milan’s centennial, overshadowing the small celebration prepared by Real Madrid for their own 106th year, which happens to fall on a home match day against Espanyol.

On March 6, 1902, Real Madrid’s predecessor, the Madrid Social Football Club, was officially established in Madrid. In 1920, they officially received the royal title and were renamed Real Madrid.

Over the past 106 years, Real Madrid has truly been the king of Europe, winning 30 domestic league titles and 9 Champions League titles, and was named the Best Club of the 20th Century by FIFA in November 2002.

In the last match of their 105th year, Real Madrid regretfully drew 1:1 with Rome, unable to conclude the 105th year with a victory.

However, this only fueled the players’ fighting spirit even more.

Especially the players coming out of Castilla, as their presence has made the team’s atmosphere gradually becoming more fervent.

”Chen, the first match of the 106th year.”

”My god! Has it been 106 years already?” Marcelo chattered non-stop beside Chen Zhong, with other familiar players gathered around Chen Zhong.

Among them were Robben, Pepe, Torres, Higuain, Baptista...

Within the Real Madrid team, apart from a few players like Drenthe, most people were around Chen Zhong, who has almost become a celebrity in the team.

Since Ramos joined Real Madrid, he was seen as the future leader of the team for quite a long time, but ever since he received a red card during a game after a breakup recently.

People have been talking more about Chen Zhong.

His poise in front of the media, his composure on the field, and most importantly, his pure club youth training background have made him seen as a future leader and cornerstone.

In fact, there has already been discussion within the club.

Calderon realized the strength of youth training after seeing Chen Zhong’s outstanding performance.

Of course, most importantly, both internally and externally, especially among the members, interest in the youth army reached an unprecedented height.

Therefore, Calderon switched from selling youth training for funds to selling off ”redundant stars” within the team for funding, and those regarded as redundant will be the players who have limited relations with Chen Zhong or have underperformed.

For example, Van Nistelrooy, Sneijder, Drenthe...

They are all now on the initial shortlisted list.

Van Nistelrooy’s replacement will be Negredo, Sneijder’s replacement will be Granero, and Drenthe’s replacement might be Castilla’s new captain, Nacho.

If Negredo cannot replace Van Nistelrooy, the team has also recruited Alvaro Morata from Getafe’s youth, and if these two cannot replace Van Nistelrooy.

Or rather, cannot meet the team’s needs on the frontline.

Real Madrid has another new option, Jose Luis San Martin Mato, nicknamed ”Joselu,” a young player born in 1990 and currently playing in Celta’s youth team.

He has shown promising physical talents, and coupled with his local Spanish nationality, some see him as the ”second Negredo” and potentially the future’s first Spanish target man.

Calderon seems to have swung to another extreme.

...

Match Day

Fans gathered into a white galaxy, heading towards the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Today is the 106th birthday of the team, and at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, everyone is eager for an exciting victory.

No Real Madrid fan is overly worried about the result of this match, considering Real Madrid has defeated Espanyol in their previous six home games, and in the last eleven home matches, they have an outstanding record of 10 wins and 1 draw.

The last time Espanyol won at the Bernabeu was back in 1996.

In the locker room, Marcelo appeared somewhat excited. For this match, he and Torres would be replacing the suspended Ramos and the injured Cannavaro, and Higuain also got the chance to start.

”Chen!”

”This is Casillas’ 300th league appearance.”

”Tell me, when will I be able to make 300 appearances for Real Madrid too?”

Since Marcelo’s blunder in which he was benched for quite some time, he finally returned to the starting lineup, inevitably feeling a bit apprehensive.

In addition, with the recent transfer rumors within Real Madrid, he naturally felt slightly anxious about his future.

”As long as you don’t act so recklessly.”

”Trust me, little Brazilian genius, you will stay at Real Madrid forever.”

Chen Zhong’s patient coaching brought a happy smile to Marcelo’s face, while Higuain on the side looked on with some envy. He had always wanted to get closer to Chen Zhong, but due to personality and various factors, he could only watch silently from a distance, playing the role of a little follower.

This handsome man surprisingly has a sensitive heart.

Which no one had expected.

The players lined up in the tunnel, with Raul wearing the captain’s armband standing at the front of the line, outside the sounds of ”Hala Madrid” and the fans’ singing filled the air.

Guti, standing in the line, couldn’t help but repeatedly look back at Chen Zhong, eventually revealing a smile.

Chen Zhong appeared in this match.

O(∩_∩)O haha~

Looks like we’re going to win!

Guti discovered a secret: every time Chen Zhong wasn’t playing while he was, the team would lose, but when Chen Zhong played and he also was there, the team wouldn’t lose!

What does this mean!

It means that he and Chen Zhong are a perfect match!