Chapter 11: The Brazilian Superstar Treasure Chest!

“I can prove that,” Amrabat beside him said; he had known Tang Ye for a year now.

“Mr. Melent said he’s a possession midfielder!”

After hearing these two, Ten Hag was stunned.

I think I’m a possession midfielder.

Mr. Melent said he’s a possession midfielder.

Not only did Tang Ye speak up for himself, but the reserve team coach also vouched for him.

This actually sounded quite reasonable?

“Wait, wait, wait!”

Ten Hag almost got led astray by Amrabat. “Tang, just give me a clear answer. Are you a possession midfielder or not? What kind of player are you? Only you truly know.”

“Me?” Tang Ye pointed at his nose, looking a bit anxious. “I don’t know…”

“Okay, you win!”

Ten Hag covered his face with his hands. Only now did he realize that the teenage prodigy he’d brought up from the reserves wasn’t just a lazy pig.

He was also…

A dumb pig!

He didn’t even know what position he played!

“Hey!”

Amrabat nudged Tang Ye with his elbow. “You should say you’re a possession midfielder. That way, Erik will put you on the field!”

Tang Ye shook his head. “But I really don’t know if I am.”

Though Tang Ye seemed to fumble his words, his earlier statement piqued Ten Hag’s interest.

In Ten Hag’s impression, Tang Ye was just a genius at running… positioning, and could barely manage a bit of outside-foot passing. He’d impulsively pulled him into the first team without considering his overall style.

In that case…

“Start warming up now. We’ll have a 5v5 small-sided match soon. The pace might be a bit fast, so warm up thoroughly.”

…

The warm-up match began. Tang Ye’s Group C was set with two midfielders and three forwards, while the opposing lineup had three midfielders, one forward, and one defender.

Assistant coach Van der Gaag deliberately gave Group C fewer midfielders than Group D, aiming to give Tang Ye more ball possession.

You say you think you’re a possession midfielder? Let’s see how you handle the ball!

Twenty minutes later, training ended. Ten Hag picked up a pencil and scribbled in his notebook.

It was an analysis report on Tang Ye!

1. Good vision; nearly all frontcourt gaps on the five-a-side pitch can be found.

2. Extremely undisciplined; refuses to eat in the first-team cafeteria.

…

3. Has some ball protection skills but not very strong.

Conclusion…

When writing the word “Conclusion,” Ten Hag’s pen suddenly stopped.

He had discovered a very serious problem.

Even as the head coach of an Eredivisie club, he couldn’t determine what kind of player Tang Ye really was!

…

Two days later, on August 16, Amsterdam time, the second round of the Eredivisie began. Utrecht hosted Heerenveen.

Thanks to Arley’s penalty, Utrecht took the lead in the first half. But in the 56th minute of the second half, Amrabat’s own goal gifted the opponent a penalty, leveling the score at 1–1.

The sudden goal boosted Heerenveen’s momentum, and by the 70th minute, the visitors had completed the comeback.

Two consecutive losses! Both early-season matches were disasters, and Ten Hag was thrust into the spotlight by Utrecht’s fans.

Of course, Chinese fans were also very dissatisfied with Ten Hag.

“Utrecht’s attack is just garbage. Honestly, might as well have Montgo take a wild shot.”

“This Amrabat who rose with Tang Ye is something else—handball in only his second first-team match!”

That night, the lights were still on in an office at Utrecht’s training base.

Ten Hag and Van der Gaag sat together, both wearing grim expressions.

“If only our summer transfer budget had been bigger,” Ten Hag sighed helplessly. “If we had even one midfielder who could hold the ball, we wouldn’t be stuck at zero points now.”

“Uh… We kind of have a possession midfielder,” Van der Gaag quietly reminded him.

Ten Hag clasped his bald head. “You mean you want me to put a lazy pig on the bench? My god, if the fans see me bringing a lazy pig into the first team, they’ll tear me apart!”

Ten Hag was very proud, which explained why he always tried to “defend” himself in post-match interviews after losses.

“No, they won’t blame you. Everyone saw Tang’s two passes in the warm-up match—the reserve team fans, and of course the first-team fans too.”

Van der Gaag explained, “Those two brilliant passes earned him a spot in the first team. That’s perfectly reasonable. You really don’t need to worry about what the fans say.”

Hearing Van der Gaag’s words, Ten Hag didn’t immediately object.

The fact was undeniable.

Maybe he really could give that lazy pig a chance.

After all, Tang Ye was also registered in the second division. If he didn’t perform, Ten Hag could just send him back.

“Alright, let’s give it a try!”

…

In the following days, Tang Ye gradually integrated into the first team’s training.

Of course, this integration referred to training matches; Tang Ye’s coordination with his first-team teammates was growing more harmonious.

The cooperation was improving, but Tang Ye’s issue of tardiness remained, which was why, even after half a month with the first team, he still wasn’t allowed into the first-team cafeteria.

“Even at 37, you still insist on training with the team. Your skills have improved.”

“Ball control: 69 → 70.”

“Shooting: 44 → 45.”

“This stuff is really hard to improve!” Tang Ye sighed. After nearly half a month training with the first team, he had only gained two attribute points.

“Alright, everyone gather around!”

Van der Gaag called the players together, holding a thick notebook. “Tomorrow, the 23rd, we have our third-round away match against ADO Den Haag. Erik and I have finalized the squad list. Take note.”

“The squad list is out!”

Amrabat clenched his fist. He had gifted the opponent a penalty in the last game—he wasn’t sure if he’d make the squad this time.

“First, the starters.”

Van der Gaag scanned the players before reading from the notebook.

“Goalkeeper: Ruit!”

“Defenders: Ngagnon, Koem, Lechet, Van der Marel, Kleibe!”

“Midfielders: Ramseural, Jansen, Ayoub!”

“Forwards: Arley and Barazite!”

The starting lineup remained mostly unchanged. Van der Gaag then began reading the substitutes.

This was the most nerve-wracking moment. Amrabat’s palms were sweating.

Tang Ye, however, had no such worries. Since Ten Hag didn’t even let him into the cafeteria, how could he make the matchday squad?

“Defender: Kortier, just you.”

“Forwards: Peterson, Ruwen, you two.”

“There are slightly more midfielders.”

“Dimos, Strid, Ludwig, and Tang. Yeah, that’s it.”

Snap!

Van der Gaag closed the notebook. At the same moment, a familiar voice echoed in Tang Ye’s mind.

“My god, at 37, you’re making a comeback in the Eredivisie. This is the best clapback to your haters! Those hateful critics have been calling you lazy since you were 16. Now’s the perfect time to prove them wrong!”

“You have obtained the Brazilian Treasure Chest: Advanced.”

“Ding! Senior Card, your rewards have been upgraded.”

“You have obtained… Brazilian Treasure Chest: Superstar.”

…