69novels Chapter 57 Shopping Spree!!!
Chapter 57 Shopping Spree!!!
After Monaco won the match.
They successfully accumulated 41 league points.
The situation for the top teams in Ligue 1 is now quite clear.
Paris Saint-Germain sits comfortably at the top of the table with 54 points.
Monaco are in second place with 41 points.
Angers followed closely behind in third place with 34 points.
Fourth place goes to Nice with 33 points.
Logically speaking, Monaco's average of 2 points per game this season is already considered title contender level in Serie A.
However, they are not good enough in Ligue 1.
Paris Saint-Germain boasts a formidable squad this season, featuring Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Angel Di Maria, Marco Verratti, Thiago Silva, and Edinson Cavani.
Whether on paper or in reality.
Their strength is at the top level of the five major leagues.
To date, no one in Ligue 1 can rival them.
Paris Saint-Germain has only one goal this season: the Champions League.
As for Monaco, which ranks second.
If they continue playing like this, they'll definitely secure a Champions League spot next season.
There are seven days until the next match.
Jardim gave the players two days off.
Mainly because...
After the match against Ajaccio.
Their injury list, which originally consisted of four people, has now grown to six.
Carvalho suffered a muscle strain in the last game due to taking too big a step while tracking back, and will miss the game.
Cavaleiro was bumped by his opponent, and he was injured again not long after recovering.
This guy hasn't played two consecutive games since he transferred in the summer transfer window.
He's practically a walking pharmacy!
Yaldin was speechless.
Tired.
Therefore, in order to prevent the players from becoming overly fatigued, he had no choice but to give them a break to allow them to recover.
……
Manchester, England.
Carrington Training Base.
Van Gaal stood on the sidelines.
Watching the players constantly controlling the ball on the training field, an unnamed fire rose in his heart.
They were eliminated in the Champions League group stage this season and had to settle for playing in the Europa League.
This is a disgrace to Manchester United.
The reason for their elimination lies in the team's current offensive efficiency, which has become a significant problem.
I'm so constipated.
In every match, all they do is control the ball, pass it around, and pass it back.
Therefore, Van Gaal has recently been looking for suitable players to strengthen the team.
For example, Marcus Rashford, a young player he just promoted from the U18 youth team.
This young player is exceptionally talented and can be used as a substitute for now.
But this is far from enough for the team.
He wants a player who can directly break through the opponent's defense.
Therefore, they are currently in contact with Juventus' Paul Pogba.
But Juventus refused to release him no matter what.
They can only wait until they raise funds in the summer transfer window before negotiating with Juventus.
"Sigh...this is really tough," Van Gaal sighed.
He began to miss his many favorite idols from back then.
Whether it was Guardiola, Iniesta, or Xavi during their time at Barcelona.
Back in Bayern's prime, unlike Schweinsteiger who has declined so drastically since.
If only Manchester United had a player like one of them!
Now it's time for fantasy...
"By the way," Van Gaal suddenly turned to his teaching assistant, "how's the field study I asked you to arrange going?"
"Most of the assessments have been completed." The teaching assistant operated the tablet for a while and then started to bring up the data.
"The list of players you instructed us to scout for who are the best fit for Manchester United, and who we believe has a good chance of signing, is here."
"First, there's Pogba. Juventus won't let him go. We can only try to make an offer in the summer."
Van Gaal nodded upon hearing this.
"Secondly, there's Tottenham's Eriksen, who already has 4 goals and 9 assists this season, with his attacking efficiency at its peak."
"But, boss, if you want to buy him, you have to make contact with Levy..." The teaching assistant hesitated.
"Ha." Van Gaal sneered. "Forget it then. Instead of trading with Levy in the winter transfer window, you might as well let me directly make an offer for Cristiano to Real Madrid."
The teaching assistant chuckled twice and then continued, "As for the cheaper options, there are two more."
"The first one is Benfica's young player with excellent value for money, 18-year-old Renato Sanchez, who has contributed two goals this season."
"The stats aren't great, but his physical talent is explosive, and Benfica only costs around 30 million euros."
Four years old...
Van Gaal muttered to himself.
A bit too young.
Moreover, he's a player from the Portuguese league, which is notorious for producing flops.
Can he play in the Premier League?
I feel there's a lot of risk involved.
"Let's see what happens next," Van Gaal continued.
The assistant coach scratched his head, his tone odd: "This is the last one, the only player currently suitable for our club..."
Van Gaal raised an eyebrow: "What's wrong? Is something the problem?"
"I don't know if you've heard about Tottenham's elimination from the Europa League."
"They were leading by three goals but were overturned. After the match, Pochettino personally invited a Monaco player to join Tottenham as a key player."
Van Gaal thought about it and realized that it seemed to make sense.
However, they were going through a turbulent period at the time, with four consecutive losses and seven winless rounds.
He didn't have time to think about it.
"The last transfer target was the Chinese player that Pochettino had his eye on at the time."
"Chinese?" Van Gaal frowned even more deeply.
Although Manchester United has had Chinese players in the past.
However, in recent years, the reputation of Chinese football has not been very good...
With a skeptical attitude, Van Gaal began, "Go on."
"Um, his name is Jiang Ming, he's 17 years old, he'll turn 18 at the end of this month, but he's already signed a new contract with Monaco."
"Why keep him on the list when a new contract has been signed?" Van Gaal said in a deep voice.
"That's why I put him last; most importantly, he has a reason to be on this list..."
As he spoke, the teaching assistant handed the tablet directly to Van Gaal, saying, "You should take a look for yourself."
Van Gaal took it and casually glanced at it on the screen.
A glance that lasts a lifetime.
He seemed petrified, staring intently at the tablet.
At 17 years old, he made 8 appearances in official matches, contributing 6 goals and 11 assists.
His average playing time is less than 60 minutes per game.
Van Gaal: "?"
He looked at the data and fell into deep thought.
Is this guy really 17?
Van Gaal gasped.
Where did this Ballon d'Or-level data come from?
He clicked on the video attached to the scout's assessment.
Upon closer inspection, Van Gaal was even more shocked.
That positioning, that vision, that passing skill, that long pass that tears through the defense, that efficient ball-clearing technique.
"Holy shit!"
Van Gaal cursed inwardly.
real or fake?
Is he really a 17-year-old player?
Are you sure he didn't change his age like some Black players?
After watching a series of videos, Van Gaal found that this Chinese lad was almost perfect.
Aside from the fact that his playing style is somewhat similar to Riquelme's back then, which feels a bit unlucky...
But none of that matters!
The key is that he is only 17 years old, so he has a lot of potential. We just need to buy him and train him a little.
This young Chinese player is exactly what the team needs right now—a player who can break through the opponent's defense with his individual ability!
Van Gaal composed himself and said calmly, "I understand. I will speak with Woodward personally later."
But a feasible plan had already emerged in his mind.
As long as I don't quit my job, I'll buy him!
Buy, buy, buy!!!
……
Catalonia, Spain.
Barcelona, Joan Gamper Sports City.
This world-class training center is Barcelona's training base.
Louis Enrique is sitting in his office, deep in thought.
Xavi left the team in the summer and went to Qatar.
Although the current midfield trio of Iniesta, Busquets, and Rakitic are all considered top-class.
However, his team always lacked a midfield commander like Xavi.
"Where can we find Harvey's successor?"