Chapter 52: Notes of a Madman (Part 2)
Mourinho turned to a page in his notebook and said excitedly:
"Chen, I don't know what to say to you, but I have been thinking about it for a very long time!
I have carefully analyzed every game of yours, whether live or recorded, and I have seen your progress and changes!
One thing you have to understand is that the reason why you can shine this season is because Gerrard has placed the team's focus on defense!
If he pursues 60% or even 70% possession like damn Pep, you may not even get on the bench!
I have coached so many clubs, whether it is 4321, 4231 or 433, I have changed many playing styles. The Premier League record for the fewest goals conceded in a season and the La Liga record for the most goals scored in a season were also created by me!
But one thing is that my team must always be strong!
Costinha at Porto, Makelele and Essien at Chelsea, and then Matic, Cambiasso, Montari, Motta at Inter Milan, Khedira at Real Madrid, a defensive midfielder with strong defensive ability will always be the most important part in my tactical system!
Kid! You will always have a place in my team! "
Both Riise and Chen Xiaoliang were excited by this conversation. After all, this was Mourinho, a world-renowned madman and champion coach who always had endless traffic and topics.
It is definitely an honor for a football player to be favored by him!
Chen Xiaoliang took the notebook from him, on which were written many formations and arrows.
Kane rushed forward, with Son Heung-min and Lamela on the left and right. There was a bracket to the right of Lamela's name, with Bale in it.
Behind the striker are three midfielders, Ndombele, Sissoko, Winks and Hojbjerg. The names of these four people are often crossed out, while there is only one clearly visible name in the position of defensive midfielder - Chen Xiaoliang.
Mourinho also drew in detail the arrow for the defensive midfielder to pass the ball, how the midfielder should protect and respond, how the wingers should use steals to quickly get in, and then Kane's retreat as an offensive fulcrum, how to attract the opponent's defense, etc.
There are several pages full of the tactics he envisioned!
Chen Xiaoliang read it carefully until he turned to the back part, which was the on-the-spot notes for the league match against Everton in January.
Obviously what Mourinho said was true. In his conception, Chen Xiaoliang had already become a core part of his ideal tactics two months ago. Almost all defensive counterattack tactics were based on his large-area coverage in the midfield!
At this moment, Chen Xiaoliang was moved by this small notebook!
He closed the notebook respectfully, handed it back to Mourinho, and said:
"But coach, according to my current loan terms, it is impossible for me to play for Tottenham this season."
Mourinho sat down, staring at Chen Xiaoliang with eyes full of burning flames:
“Chen, maybe refusing to negotiate with those teams now will make you lose the opportunity to join a big club immediately, but believe me, you are still young, and with your current strength you may be able to get some playing opportunities, but are you willing to be someone else’s supporting role?
This is why I have never regretted sending you to Gerrard! How can a young man improve if he can't play football?
Before you left, I told you that those stupid media only knew how to criticize me for not using Salah and De Bruyne, but if I hadn't let them go and let them play as starters in Roma and Wolfsburg, would they have the ability they have today? "
Chen Xiaoliang recalled this passage, and he agreed with it very much in his heart.
At least from the perspective of the system, if you can't play football, you can't complete the task, and if you can't complete the task, you won't get the reward. Without the training points and skill points given as rewards, how can your attributes be improved...
Therefore, being able to play as a starter is the most important criterion in his mind for choosing a team.
“Those short-sighted coaches will not know your true value and potential. They will only use you as a worker, not a real core!
Only I can make you shine!"
Hearing this, Reese could no longer sit still. Although he was excited, he still had to return to his rationality.
"But Jose, I don't mean anything else. According to your current situation, it is possible. I just said that it is possible that you may not stay until the end of the season."
He thought the arrogant Mourinho would be angry, but he didn't expect that all he got was a few chuckles.
"It doesn't matter. I've gotten used to it since I left Manchester United. There won't be another Sir Alex Ferguson in football today.
I hope you can concentrate on football and wait until the transfer window opens before thinking about the rest. No matter what my situation is, I will give you my most sincere advice. If possible, I can ask Mendes to help you find a good next club. You know, he has the ability to do so.
Of course, this will not change your partnership.”
Riise was very satisfied with this statement. Although this would mean missing the opportunity in front of him, according to Chen Xiaoliang's performance and growth rate, his value would definitely increase by the end of the season.
By that time, there will be more room to negotiate terms, whether it is a transfer or a contract renewal with Tottenham.
What's more, Mourinho, who has the final say, has made a promise. If Mendes is willing to help, even though his commission will be reduced, it will not be difficult to get Chen Xiaoliang to a wealthy club.
But there is one thing that he, as an agent, always puts first, and that is to ask Chen Xiaoliang for his opinion.
"Good coach, you brought me into the world of professional players. Without you, there would be no me now. I will once again reject Tottenham's contract extension request, then return to Glasgow, play the remaining games of this season seriously, and then make a decision."
Mourinho was very satisfied and gave Chen Xiaoliang a big hug.
"But coach, I have a request."
Mourinho looked puzzled.
"I want those pages of your notes."
Chen Xiaoliang had been pondering over what training direction to choose next, and all the answers were found in these pages of notes.
Although Gerrard gave him great tactical freedom, the former football superstar and all-round midfielder always lacked a clear direction when it came to Chen Xiaoliang's personal training.
He wanted Chen Xiaoliang to improve his passing and organizing abilities, as well as his shooting accuracy, but sometimes he also wanted him to not rush things.
Chen Xiaoliang understood that this was Gerrard using his own career as a benchmark for his growth template.
Mourinho, who is a bystander and sees things more clearly, outlined in detail several aspects that a defensive midfielder needs to focus on.
"Hahahaha!" Mourinho was stunned at first, then laughed. He picked up the notebook and stuffed it directly into Chen Xiaoliang's hand.
"I'll give it all to you! But don't show it to Gerard!"
Now Chen Xiaoliang and Reese also laughed.
The next day, Riise stayed in London to negotiate the contract with Tottenham, and Helena accompanied Chen Xiaoliang back to Glasgow.
As Leicester City reached the FA Cup semi-finals and had a big away game with Manchester City after the last Europa League match, four main players were injured and had to strategically give up the Europa League.
Despite this, the third-placed team in the Premier League table still drew .
Rangers also relied on their victory in the first leg to advance to the round of 16 of the Europa League with a total score of 4-3.
After the game, captain Tavernier called his players together to celebrate at THE GARAGE, the largest nightclub in Glasgow.
As the biggest contributor to the team's promotion, Chen Xiaoliang was naturally required by his teammates to be present.
I just didn't expect that such a happy night would lead to such trouble.
