Chapter 5: Loaning a Bundesliga Star? Rewarding the Ultimate Template! (Thanks to the Loyal Leader for the Great Update)
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In the distant land of the East, media outlets scrambled to exalt the debut of China’s prodigy in the Dream Arena.
“Turning the Tide: Li Luo’s Header Equalizer Saves the Red Devils!”
“The King of Football’s Style: China’s Prodigy Emulates Messi’s Movement.”
“Feigning Runs to Distract: The Rising Star Replicates Ronaldo’s Off-Ball Tactics.”
“A Milestone for Chinese Football.”
“An In-Depth 10,000-Word Analysis: How Super Genius Li Luo Showed Tactical Value Off the Bench — Positioning, Game Reading, Drawing Defenders, Creating Space, and Finishing.”
“Korean Media Slanders Maliciously: Li Luo’s Performance is Ordinary, Just a Talented Player Skilled in Passing, Stopping, Dribbling, and Shooting; The Asian Cup Will Expose His True Colors. China’s Manufactured Star at Manchester United Will Be Shattered!”
Comments, likes, and shares surged wildly.
- “Koreans, you’re so impatient again.”
- “Li Luo’s style is so advanced and handsome.”
- “Indeed, Cruyff’s words ring true: ‘On the pitch, statistics show each player touches the ball for only about three minutes on average… So the question is, what are you doing in the other 87 minutes without the ball?’ Isn’t that Li Luo?”
- “That was said decades ago by Cruyff, but nowadays in some matches, the main player’s ball time exceeds three minutes. Anyway, Li Luo is awesome.”
- “Why do Korean media always slander us? Let Li Luo crush them at the Asian Cup!”
- “Hard to say. If all the Korean players return from abroad as starters, we only have one Li Luo…”
…
The early morning in Manchester seemed shrouded by a delicate silver mist.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
The sound of the football striking the wall scattered the birds resting nearby.
Li Luo practiced while watching the video on his phone: “Early Childhood Football: Make Friends with the Wall.”
He tried to control the power of each touch.
He adjusted the direction of his passes.
Gradually,
he began to feel a flicker of understanding.
Sweat soaked through his jersey, and the young Chinese boy’s spirit felt deeply fulfilled.
A mechanical, cold synthesized voice suddenly sounded:
[Ball Control: 8 → 8.000001]
[Passing: 9 → 9.000002]
[Shooting: 6 → 6.000005]
[Arc: 7 → 7.000001]
Li Luo: “...”
It seemed that no matter how hard he trained alone in the short term, improvement was impossible.
Technique could not be mastered overnight.
What now?
Tomorrow was training day…
…
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A few kilometers away, inside Manchester United’s office, a heated argument erupted.
Van Gaal clenched his fists, his face flushed with anger.
“I don’t understand. Ferguson has retired; why interfere with the club’s affairs? Before I came to United, I had a pleasant conversation with him. Our philosophies aligned perfectly. I told him I was here to lay the foundation and gradually complete the transition from old to new. He agreed, and the club promised me ample time…”
“Why?”
A staff member in a Manchester United uniform said, “Please don’t be angry. Sir Ferguson’s suggestion is to replace Li Luo’s head coach.”
Van Gaal snorted heavily, “If you want to get rid of me, don’t use Li as an excuse!”
“Changing Li’s coach isn’t about pushing you out.”
“What?”
“Yes, Li will be loaned out temporarily…”
Van Gaal’s expression turned shocked.
His anger gradually faded, replaced by a mild frustration he couldn’t fully express.
To be honest, given United’s situation this season, Van Gaal wasn’t about to let Li Luo run wild.
Not long ago, he even clashed slightly with United’s summer transfer record-holder Di María.
Di María believed he had considerable decision-making freedom on the wing at Real Madrid, but at United, Van Gaal demanded strict adherence to wide crosses and higher defensive responsibilities.
Many suspected Van Gaal was sidelining the high-priced Di María.
“So, where will Li be loaned?”
The summer transfer window was closing soon; the answer would come quickly.
Van Gaal sat back in his chair, quietly reading Li Luo’s summary email, his mood complex.
It was not uncommon for homegrown talents to be sent out for experience.
For example:
Barcelona’s heir apparent Bojan was loaned to Serie A’s Roma, where under the guidance of legends like Totti and De Rossi, his competitive mentality improved.
Manchester United’s prodigy Pogba transferred on a free to Serie A powerhouse Juventus, where under Pirlo’s tutelage, his control and long passing advanced rapidly.
Real Madrid’s talent Morata was sold to Juventus as well, where his heading ability soared, making Madrid eager to trigger a buy-back clause.
…
In Germany, Wolfsburg.
Aloffs was anxious: “What’s the update? How did the Chinese Super League club respond?”
A staff member silently handed over a fax.
“Sigh.”
“Why won’t the Chinese club release him? We’ve negotiated countless times since last year! They simply don’t want to send him to the Bundesliga!”
“How can we explain if we don’t complete the task?”
“Beckenbauer’s words ring true…”
“Boss, what did the Kaiser say again?”
“He once said: If a Chinese player performs even slightly well in one of the five major leagues, they will unleash infinite commercial value.”
Bundesliga powerhouse Wolfsburg was wholly owned by the Volkswagen Group.
The club’s transfer decisions had to align with the group’s overall interests.
It was 2014, and China accounted for 40% of Volkswagen’s global sales!
Volkswagen was about to launch localized technology in the Chinese market.
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Signing a Chinese player from the Chinese Super League was an urgent commercial imperative for Volkswagen.
Even if he became just a mascot, the strategic goal would be achieved.
“Boss, there’s another fax from Manchester United.”
“We’re not selling. We won’t sell players.”
“No, Manchester United wants to… loan a midfielder to Wolfsburg.”
“No need. We already have De Bruyne.”
“It’s a Chinese midfielder…”
“What? Damn it! Why didn’t you say so earlier? Oh my God! It’s Li! Manchester United’s heir... Li! Why us? Why? God! This is freaking amazing.”
Aloffs was incoherent, gesticulating wildly.
Volkswagen Group’s commercial demands and market strategy… were now fulfilled?
“Report to Volkswagen headquarters immediately!”
“Assess the loan fee and Li’s salary during the loan… Forget it, what United says goes. We can’t mess this up.”
…
At Wolfsburg’s training ground.
The head coach, Hei Jin, felt conflicted.
Indeed,
the outside world believed he could turn things around, transforming De Bruyne — once “kicked around by Chelsea like a headless chicken” — into the Bundesliga’s hottest superstar midfielder.
They hailed him as a wise man who uncovered player potential, turning waste into gold, a golden-fingered coach, an unrivaled master.
But Hei Jin knew the truth: De Bruyne was naturally gifted; he simply didn’t fit Chelsea’s tactics before.
“What to do?”
“The Manchester United heir who excels at passing, stopping, dribbling, and shooting—if I ruin his talent, Sir Ferguson will surely curse me in his new autobiography… The whole world… no, my descendants will know…”
“There’s another problem. If Li is loaned to Wolfsburg, is there even a spot for him in midfield?”
“What? Volkswagen demands guaranteed playing time for Li?”
The breeze along the Aller River stirred the ryegrass and the tails of Hei Jin’s suit, but it could not lift the gloom from his face.
…
Beep beep beep.
Li Luo’s phone rang.
It was the club office number. He was about to answer.
Suddenly,
the cold mechanical synthesized voice sounded:
[You are about to begin your Bundesliga journey…]
[Additional reward:]
[Randomly select a peak template of a Bundesliga legend! You will permanently acquire the attributes granted by the template!]
What?
Bundesliga journey?
Li Luo couldn’t help but wonder, as five massive character cards shimmering with colorful light towered before him!