Chapter 411: 30+20, is it the era of the Twins or the Three-Body Era?
After B Fee's shot was refracted, it was blocked by Newcastle goalkeeper Pope and went out of the baseline. Manchester United took a corner kick from the left side.
The corner kick taken by B Fee was of poor quality and was headed away by the opponent's defender Schar. Tinbell received the penalty kick on the outside and Manchester United reorganized the attack.
As the recognized weakest link of the England national team, head coach Southgate continued to appear in the stands during this game.
There have been a lot of rumors about the English Football Association recently. The first is Eddie Howe. Many people believe that as an English middle-aged coach, his coaching ability is far higher than Southgate, more systematic, and more knowledgeable about targeted adjustments.
Facing the upcoming European Cup in Germany, as the runner-up of the previous tournament, this year's England players have a reasonable age mix, both talent and strength, and will have good hope of competing for the final championship.
Therefore, many people suggested that Eddie Howe take over the team to play in the European Cup.
The English Football Association publicly expressed its support for Southgate, but privately it was thinking differently.
They want to naturalize Chen Xiaoliang.
Chen Xiaoliang, 19, has never played for any national team at any level. According to FIFA rules, he can be naturalized by his country and then represent his country in international competitions.
In terms of ability, any national team will be much stronger if it gets Chen Xiaoliang, and before the English FA, the Italian Football Association and the German Football Association have also considered this.
European countries have a long history of naturalizing players. Even when the word "naturalization" was not yet coined, they had already begun to naturalize players.
Germany, for example, naturalized Czech midfielder Mirko Votava as early as 1979;
Oliver Neuville, who represented Germany in the World Cup in 2002 and 2006, was originally Swiss;
Gerald Asamoah, who also played in both World Cups, is a naturalized player from Ghana;
Similar examples include Brazilian striker Kevin Kuranyi and fellow Brazilian Cacau.
Jorginho, who helped Italy win the 2020 European Cup, is known to be a native Brazilian who was born and raised in Brazil. He only came to Italy when he was spotted by Verona Club at the age of 15.
In 2012, at the age of 21, he obtained an Italian passport and began to play for the Italian national team.
Later, he not only became the main midfielder of the Azzurri, but also the captain of the national team.
Also in this championship team are Emerson and Toloi, who are also naturalized Brazilian players.
England's Sterling is also a naturalized player born in Kingstown, Jamaica.
The main difference is that the laws of some countries allow dual citizenship, and their operations and procedures for naturalizing players are more convenient and simpler.
This is particularly evident in France and Belgium.
Lukaku and Tielemans are of Congolese descent, while all 11 French starters have a second nationality and none of the black players are of French descent.
Although not every European country's fans welcome naturalized players, especially those with obvious foreign ancestry, and there was even an incident in which Figo took the lead in boycotting Brazilian Deco's naturalization into the Portuguese team, with the passage of time, this has become a common phenomenon in world football.
Football, basketball, athletics, winter sports, and even the national table tennis teams of many European countries are all made up of Red Chinese.
Although the UK's immigration policy requires one to stay in the UK for six years after obtaining permanent residence status before applying for citizenship, in order to attract top talent, the government established the "Global Talent Introduction Program" very early on. For example, in science and technology, medicine, humanities, and art, as long as one is in a world-leading or well-known position in the relevant field, one can apply for immediate permanent residence or citizenship.
If a Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Footballer of the Year winner like Chen Xiaoliang gives his nod today, the British government will expedite the delivery of his passport tomorrow, and fans across the country will be delighted.
Even if according to FIFA rules, one needs to live in the country of naturalization for 5 years to be eligible to participate, Chen Xiaoliang can still represent England in the 2028 European Cup and the 2030 World Cup.
However, after some calculations, the English FA sent officials to tentatively contact Riise, and the response they received was the same as the reply Riise gave to the Italian Football Association, that is, "Chen has absolutely no plans in this regard."
Many media outlets in various countries were also puzzled. Is Chen Xiaoliang planning to only participate in professional football matches and not try his hand at national team matches?
What's more, if he joins any of the three countries of England, Italy and Germany, he will have a great chance of winning the European Cup and the World Cup.
Haven’t you seen that even someone as brilliant as Messi in his career finally established his historical status as the king of football after winning the World Cup?
Sky Sports also put out a special vote on the social platform: "Which country do you think Chen Xiaoliang should represent?"
The answer to this question, which is asked knowingly, is of course obvious. The English want him to represent England, the Italians want him to represent Italy, and finally, under the "expedition" of the vast number of fans from the Red Country, the voting showed an overwhelming result, and naturally they wanted him to represent the Red Country.
But what’s interesting is that when asked “When do you hope Chen Xiaoliang will participate in national team competitions?”, the vast majority of Red Country fans chose “later” instead of “now”.
But these media had no idea that the sports authorities of the Red Country had already set aside the Football Association, which was in a state of deep trouble, and directly let Chen Xiaoliang select players from the Red Country youth training camps of Manchester United, Rangers and Roma to participate in the Asian U16 Championship (commonly known as the Asian Youth Championship) which will start this summer, and the U17 World Championship (commonly known as the World Youth Championship) which will start next year in 2025.
As for the dissatisfaction and protests raised by some clubs and youth training institutions in the Red Country, the sports authorities ignored them and instead asked the Football Association to step in to resolve the issue.
According to the higher-ups, "the people have been dissatisfied with you for many years. What kind of people have you trained over and over again? How dare you still express your dissatisfaction?"
However, this does not mean that these national teams have been contracted by Chen Xiaoliang's youth training camp. The leaders also want to see how much difference the children who have trained in Europe for three or four years can make.
To this end, Chen Xiaoliang spent a sky-high annual salary of 1 million euros to hire the famous Portuguese youth training coach Oliveira, who is known as the godfather of youth training and is also the youth training coach of Figo and Ronaldo, to take charge of the affairs of the youth training academy and build the overall structure and training and competition plans.
After all, this is not something innovative . In European football powers, the youth training system from small to large is already complete and has been honed and tested through decades of professionalization. All you need to do is follow these professional processes and structures.
On the contrary, carrying out "innovative" work such as training camps and selections, or even changing the age and forcing younger players to train physically to win results in youth team competitions, is just forcing things to happen. As the saying goes, "being the most professional in unprofessional aspects."
However, this is an extremely long-term project, and Chen Xiaoliang also knows that it is not something that can be solved by the existing one thousand or so children.
Southgate knew that he had no hope of getting Chen Xiaoliang, but it was still necessary for him to observe Eddie Howe's tactics on the spot. By learning a trick or two, he might be able to keep his job after the European Cup.
It's so comfortable to be the head coach of the national team. There's a major tournament every two or four years, and four or five friendly matches a year at most. In the qualifiers, you play against weak teams like Northern Ireland, Estonia, and the Faroe Islands. When there are no games, you still get paid and can go around to watch games in the name of observing players. It's nothing like being a club head coach, who has to worry about losing his job if the results are not good for a period of time.
However, Southgate likes Eddie Howe's tactics very much. As coaches who were originally English central defenders, both of them play with a strong defensive style. On the contrary, Ten Hag, who also plays as a central defender, adheres to the Dutch football philosophy and advocates fast breaks and pressing.
On the field, Manchester United continued to attack while Newcastle took the opportunity to defend. One attacked in an organized manner while the other counterattacked very efficiently. The game did not become ugly because of the clear distinction between offense and defense.
In the 18th minute, Chen Xiaoliang received a cross from B Fee on the right near the attacking third zone. Without waiting for Caicedo to get close, he directly made a 45-degree cross. When the ball reached the player, Cesco headed the ball straight into the middle, but the Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope blocked it with his right upper arm.
Newcastle counterattacked, Rafinha dribbled forward and after being approached by Casemiro, he passed the ball directly to Almiron in the middle. Almiron advanced for a while, facing Timber's defense, and continued to pass to the left to San Marco Siman who was running at full speed.
The French winger's characteristic can be summed up in one word: fast. If I had to add another word, it would be fierce.
After receiving the ball, he sprinted forward on the grass as if flying. Wan-Bissaka, who is a top-notch tackling player, hates to face this kind of winger the most. He has the dribbling skills of a freestyle football and the speed of a rugby player, changing directions with his left and right feet and suddenly speeding up to make a strong breakthrough.
To put it bluntly, it is difficult to find the right time to make a tackle.
Wan Bissaka could only keep retreating with Saint-Maximin, trying to force him into a small area with tight pressure to increase the success rate of the pressure.
But after Saint-Maximin made a series of feints with his left and right feet, a cross-legged kick and a fake dribble, he cut inside and shook off Wan-Bissaka, who was unable to move sideways, and then used a series of moves to get past Timber who was retreating to defend and came to the top of the penalty area.
Zhan Jun: "Continuous passing! In the middle, Saint-Maximin...shoots!"
Zhang Lu: "Hey, this ball..."
Even if the fans temporarily took their eyes off the screen and heard Zhang Lu's signature "Hehe" sound, they knew that the ball did not go in, and that it did not go in quite outrageously.
Zhan Jun: "A diagonal pass in the counterattack, plus a series of wonderful dribbles, but I didn't expect that Saint-Maximin's final shot would hit the ball directly into the stands!"
"This is also the reason why Eddie Howe prefers to use Joelinton instead of him as a left winger in many games, because he is too slow in handling the ball. Although he has strong dribbling ability, he always lacks something when passing the ball."
"The fans gave him an awkward nickname, 'Death after dribbling past someone', meaning that after dribbling past someone, he would lose the ball."
Saint-Maximin awkwardly turned around and raised his hand to apologize to Almiron, who spread his hands, indicating that he could pass the ball back for him to take a long shot.
Eddie Howe on the sidelines was not surprised by this situation. By starting Saint-Maximin today, he was prepared for this situation to happen.
But what he was betting on was one opportunity. As long as he seized that one opportunity, even if the other ones were wasted, it would be enough to help the team get closer to victory.
Also raising their hands to apologize to their teammates were Timberlake and Wan Bissaka, who both felt that they had been given too easy an opportunity.
But something interesting happened soon.
In the 25th minute, Rafinha did not choose to pass the ball to Saint-Maximin in the counterattack, but shot directly with his left foot. Although the angle was not tricky, the power was enough. Livakovic did not dare to take the ball head on, and was also afraid that after blocking it, Saint-Maximin who had already rushed into the penalty area would get a chance to make a follow-up shot. So he simply dragged the ball upwards and out of the baseline, giving Newcastle a chance for a corner kick on the right side.
Trippier kicked the ball out, and Maguire, who had successfully lost weight in the middle, stood up like a pillar in the air and headed the ball out of the penalty area. After receiving the ball, B Fee immediately moved forward, and then passed it to Cesco who was running forward in the middle before Guimarães chased him.
Cesco, who is 195cm tall, took a few steps with his long legs, but dribbling and counterattacking is not his strong point. He took a look, adjusted his steps, and immediately passed the ball to the front left to Kva who was making a run.
Facing Longstaff who was staying behind, Kva changed direction with his left and right feet but did not make any extra fake moves. Instead, he seized the opportunity when the opponent's center of gravity changed, passed Longstaff with a simple fried meatball and rushed towards the top of the penalty area in front of the right.
It was almost like a repeat of Saint-Maximin's counterattack and dribbling route just now. Kva made an emergency stop and faked a move on the left rib, shaking off Targett who was coming to defend.
Now, in front of Kva there were only the goal and Caicedo who was defending Chen Xiaoliang on the right.
Seeing that his goal was about to be lost, Caicedo had no choice but to turn around and rush towards Kva. Kva immediately stopped and pulled the ball back, then flicked it to the right, over Caicedo's head and passed it to Chen Xiaoliang who was not guarding him.
As soon as Chen Xiaoliang caught the ball, everyone who could pass by rushed towards him.
He used his chest to gently stop the ball in front of him outside the penalty area line on the right side of the top of the penalty area, then adjusted his step and shot the ball with his left foot. The ball flew out with no arc and was almost aimed at the left side of the goal.
Zhan Jun: "Xiaoliang! Left foot... this ball goes in!"
Zhang Lu: "Good shot, good shot. This is where Manchester United is strong. You spend a lot of time defending Xiaoliang, but other players will step up. Just like this ball, it is almost exactly the same as Newcastle's counterattack route just now, but Cesco and Kva's ball handling ability, tacit understanding, and the final shot control ability are clearly different."
Zhan Jun: "It is indeed as Zhang Zhi said. If Saint-Maximin's shooting skills were better, or he passed the ball to Rafinha on the right more selflessly, maybe the game would be different now."
"Congratulations to Xiaoliang for scoring another goal! Helping Manchester United to lead Newcastle by one goal away from home!"
Zhang Lu: "Which ball is this?"
Zhan Jun: "31st goal in the league! A total of 40 goals in all competitions! In addition, there are 19 league assists, and a total of 27 assists in all competitions!"
Zhang Lu: "My goodness, this is too scary. Xiaoliang is now the undisputed number one in European, no, world football."
Zhan Jun: "Including this game, he has played 27 league games, 2 FA Cup games, 4 League Cup games, and 8 Champions League games this season, a total of 41 games, almost averaging 1 goal per game. At the same time, adding up the goals and assists, he averaged 1.63 goals per game! This data is also the best in the top five leagues."
"But compared to last season, while the league has exploded, the numbers in the Champions League have declined a bit. Currently, there are 3 goals and 5 assists in 8 games, which is a big gap compared to the double-double of 13 goals and 12 assists last season."
Zhang Lu: "The Champions League will be played in the next round against Barcelona, Xiaoliang vs. Messi. This match is definitely highly anticipated. If Xiaoliang plays in the midfield, he should have plenty of opportunities to play against Messi, who plays as a front midfielder. Let's see what kind of sparks will be created then."
0-1, Newcastle was in a dilemma after conceding the goal.
This is what Southgate really wanted to look at today.
The foundation of Eddie Howe's tactics is "can't lose the ball". Once the ball is lost, in order to catch up, he has to press forward and attack. But the problem is, facing teams like Manchester United and Manchester City, the price of pressing forward is likely to be exposing the gaps in the defense.
England will face the same problem as the new UEFA Nations League champions Spain and France, which has always been at the top of Europe in the European Cup - how to play after falling behind.
But for Newcastle, which wants to become a top club, and Eddie Howe, who wants to become the head coach of a top club, this is an issue that must be resolved.
Have you ever seen a wealthy team being beaten in every game and then winning by counterattack?
Roma can do this kind of thing, but Real Madrid absolutely cannot. This is the real reason why no matter how many rumors there are that Mourinho may return to Real Madrid, in fact there is no possibility at all.
With a wave of Eddie Howe's hand, Newcastle began to implement Plan B, switching from intensive defense in the first half to midfield pressure and intensive strangulation commonly used against mid- and lower-level teams.
The two sides exchanged blows and entered into a fierce midfield competition mode.
But today's Chen Xiaoliang is no longer the man who relies on himself to carry the team's midfield as he did in Rome. He is surrounded by excellent teammates, and these people have been integrated into the tactical system with him as the core through one actual battle after another.
Just like the assist from Kva after he dribbled past the defense just now, the full cooperation of his teammates gave Chen Xiaoliang more opportunities to make the final move.
In the 71st minute of the second half, he returned the favor and made a wonderful pass to Kwa.
At this time, B Fee had already left the field and Ten Hag replaced Anthony. After unsuccessful advancement on the right, Anthony cut inside and passed the ball back to Chen Xiaoliang on the right flank.
Chen Xiaoliang kicked directly, and used the inner instep of his right foot to make a wide diagonal arc pass. The ball produced a strong inward rotation while flying into the penalty area, and then fell in front of Kva, 2 meters inside the penalty area line, on the left side of the penalty area!
Kva skillfully stepped lightly on the ground, instantly stopping the long pass, and then used the inside of his right foot to kick a beautiful arc ball towards the upper right corner of the goal!
Nick Pope tried his best to save the ball, but before he could get out, the ball had already hit the tenth corner.
Zhan Jun: "In the 72nd minute, 0-2! Manchester United scored another goal!"
"Congratulations to Xiaoliang. In the 27th round of the league, he has tied the record of 20 assists in a single season in the Premier League, which was held by Henry and De Bruyne!"
"As for the remaining 11 league games, it is conceivable that Xiaoliang will break this record by a large margin. This is also the second time he has broken the record in another competition of the top five leagues after setting the single-season historical assist record in Serie A!"
"At the same time, he is also the second player in the history of the Premier League to achieve 20+20 data in a single season. The previous one was Henry, and he maintained this honor for 21 years!"
"But he also officially became the first player in the top five leagues to score 30+20 in a single season!"
"To borrow a phrase that Mr. Jin Yong likes to use in his novels, it is called shocking and unprecedented!"
"In the 2002-03 season, Arsenal scored a total of 84 goals in the league. Henry scored 24 goals and provided 20 assists. He alone was responsible for 44 goals, accounting for more than 50%!"
"This season, Manchester United has scored 76 goals in 27 games. Xiaoliang has scored 31 goals and made 20 assists, which is a terrifying 51 goals! Almost two out of every three goals scored by the team are directly related to him!"
“No wonder Henry the Great said in the media that the current Premier League is experiencing an unprecedented era of terror!”
"Don't forget! Haaland next door once again performed a hat trick in the ongoing match between Manchester City and Bournemouth. In 28 rounds of this season, he has scored an incredible 42 goals!"
Zhang Lu: "This is the new era of two great players. Of course, Mbappe is also very strong, but the attention paid to Ligue 1 is too far behind that of the Premier League. If he can go to Real Madrid this summer and Real Madrid can build a team around him, then these three players will be interesting, a bit like a three-way confrontation."
Zhan Jun: "It is very likely that we will move from the era of the two heroes that the fans are already accustomed to to the era of the three bodies!"
