Chapter 8: Joining the First Team?

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Without any clear reason, Tang Ye and Milner, both midfielders, were suddenly taken off their yellow vests and brought into the first team lineup. Not disappointing Ten Hag’s expectations, Tang Ye began his leisurely stroll mode in the first team. Xhaka was dribbling near the center circle, but Tang Ye didn’t press him. Carlon came right up to Tang Ye’s face, and Tang Ye slowly and calmly walked toward him. The two were less than two meters apart, yet Tang Ye still made no move to challenge. Watching this scene, Melent on the sidelines was nearly moved to tears. Melent didn’t want Tang Ye to leave the second team, and Tang Ye was aware of this, so he deliberately adopted a very passive attitude whenever Ten Hag was watching. The apprentice knew exactly what the master was thinking. What’s called a deep bond between master and apprentice? This is it. Tang Ye was talented, and Melent believed he could awaken that talent. Just then, Tang Ye, who had been standing still, suddenly sprinted forward. First team player Balazic stole the ball from Xhaka and immediately spotted Tang Ye breaking away from his marker. Unfortunately, because Tang Ye came from the second team, Balazic didn’t pass to him. “Pass it to him!” Ten Hag shouted sharply. Hearing the coach’s order, Balazic decisively kicked the ball directly to Tang Ye’s feet. Snap! Tang Ye controlled the ball with his foot but didn’t move, only pointing forward with his right hand. The striker, Alé, sensing something unusual ahead, suddenly sprinted forward. Seizing the chance, Tang Ye struck the ball with the instep, sending a low through ball into the attacking zone. “Damn!” Amrabat cursed loudly, utterly caught off guard by Tang Ye’s pass. He hadn’t even had time to stretch out his foot! The ball rolled past Amrabat’s eyes, then through two second-team center-backs, finally reaching Alé’s feet. A perfect scoring opportunity: facing the second team goalkeeper rushing out, Alé swung his leg for a shot. Bang! The ball flew over the crossbar. It was a textbook rocket shot! “Ugh…” Alé held his head and turned to Tang Ye, giving a thumbs-up: “My bad, my bad!” A 16-year-old second team player had set up a perfect one-on-one chance, yet Alé had failed to capitalize. Damn, is there anything more embarrassing than this? “It’s okay, it’s okay,” Tang Ye waved his hand nonchalantly. It was just a training match after all; scoring or not didn’t matter.

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Though Tang Ye was indifferent, Ten Hag was already scowling outside the field. He was a proud coach and could not tolerate first team players being held back by second team players. “Hmm…” Ten Hag turned to Melent beside him. “Our players aren’t in good form today; otherwise, the victory would have been ours.” After explaining for the players on the field, Ten Hag’s gaze returned to Tang Ye. That guy was strolling again! “Ahem,” Melent coughed twice before addressing Ten Hag. “Tang has always been a bit lazy; it was the same last season.” “Why doesn’t he run? Is he out of stamina? Don’t you have plenty of endurance training?” “Whenever we do endurance drills, he sneaks off.” “?” Ten Hag’s eyes widened. “There are players like that?” Melent saw the surprised look on Ten Hag’s face and felt a bit pleased. He knew the Dutch coach was strict about discipline; a player like Tang Ye, who slacked off, probably wouldn’t meet his standards. “I think we need to try something; the first team is hitting a bottleneck anyway. Tomorrow, pause his training.” “Pause? Why?” Melent didn’t understand Ten Hag’s words. “I’ll arrange for someone to register him with the KNVB—the Royal Dutch Football Association—to get his Eredivisie license. The transfer window is closing soon; if we don’t register him now, it’ll be too late.” “????” “Eric, listen to me. Tang’s discipline is a big problem, and he’s only 16. If he plays directly in the Eredivisie, he won’t adapt!” Melent’s voice suddenly grew louder. Vandergagh on the sidelines thought he was making a substitution and came over to ask. When he learned Melent was just talking to Ten Hag, he left quietly. “It’s okay, no rush. I mean we should register him in the Eredivisie first, then train him with the first team.” Ten Hag spread his hands. “Registering doesn’t mean he has to play immediately. The guy has talent; training with the first team will help him improve faster.” Ten Hag’s intention was clear: he wanted Tang Ye close by. Discipline was lacking? Ten Hag would personally teach him how to obey the rules! “Th-this…” Melent hesitated. The first team lacked midfielders, but so did the second team! “Eric, why don’t we hold off? Keep Tang with the second team for now, wait until next season or the winter window, then reassess after half a season?” Ten Hag didn’t immediately answer Melent’s suggestion. Instead, he turned and placed both hands on Melent’s shoulders. “Tell me, what’s your position here?” “Uh…” Ten Hag’s question was odd, but Melent replied seriously: “Second team head coach.” “You still remember you’re the second team head coach!”

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Ten Hag withdrew his hands. “It’s settled. He has to report to the first team the day after tomorrow!” … After the morning training, Melent took Tang Ye and Amrabat aside. “After lunch, we have one more training session in the afternoon, but you two don’t need to come.” Huh? Amrabat’s eyes lit up with indescribable joy. Melent looked at Tang Ye and noticed his expression had turned tense. “Mr. Melent, I’m not getting kicked out, am I…” Tang Ye looked downhearted. He had been muddling through the entire season and was finally facing reckoning. Though he disliked training, he didn’t want to be expelled! “…” “Ahem!” Melent cleared his throat to ease the awkwardness and continued, “This afternoon, you two will train with the first team. Tomorrow, someone will help you register in the Eredivisie.” Amrabat rubbed his hands, already imagining himself debuting in the Eredivisie with over 20,000 fans watching—heavenly! Tang Ye, upon learning he was moving to the first team, suddenly furrowed his brows. “What’s wrong?” Melent asked. “Uh, if I train with the first team, can I still go back to the second team later?” What? Melent’s eyes widened, then warmed inside. Although Tang Ye usually liked to slack off, when it came to loyalty between master and apprentice, he was impeccable. “No, no coming back!” Melent took a deep breath. “Tang, though I often scold you, I’m telling you now—you’re actually very talented. You should be in the Eredivisie, not the second division. Trust me, I can feel it—you have the potential to be worth 10 million euros!” “10 million euros? That’s too much!” Tang Ye shook his head. “I’m not that ambitious. I mean, first team training is really tiring. If I get too tired, can I go back to the second team to rest for a bit?” “...fuck!” “Get out of here right now!” Melent shoved Tang Ye off his lap, pointing toward the first team training ground. “Lazy pig, lazy pig with no ambition! If your value ever breaks 10 million euros, I’ll stuff shit in my own mouth!” “Get lost!” …