novelraw Chapter 538 - 366: New Signing Gundogan Makes a Strong Start, Is He Challenging Tang Long’s Main Position?
Chapter 538 - 366: New Signing Gundogan Makes a Strong Start, Is He Challenging Tang Long’s Main Position?
Inside the England national team’s office.
Several scouts dispatched by Mancini gradually arrived on the scene.
This weekend, everyone was out in full force, scouting England players at various Premier League venues.
As time reached 2016, there were only six months left until the European Cup.
The selection process for the final roster had entered a critical stage.
Assistant coach Chiwo was still the earliest to arrive.
This week, he was at Liverpool’s home ground, Anfield, watching the Liverpool vs Everton match.
His key observation target was their midfielder, Henderson.
After distributing the materials and setting up the PPT projection, Mancini finally arrived late.
"Everyone’s here, let’s start the report!"
Mancini lit a cigarette, sitting at the head seat.
Everyone reported in sequence, with Chiwo’s report being the most detailed.
He highly praised the performance of the 25-year-old midfielder Henderson, stating that his movement, interception, passing awareness, and physical confrontation in midfield were all excellent, and the player’s physical condition was constantly improving.
Midfield has always been the most important aspect of the England national team.
With Gerrard’s retirement, numerous young players born in the 90s started entering this area.
Though Chiwo believed Henderson still had a certain gap compared to Gerrard in his peak.
From the current stage, this Liverpool player is still the only choice for the England national team’s defensive midfielder position.
"Mr. Mancini, you watched the Manchester City vs Tottenham match on-site, what do you think?"
Mancini watched the Manchester City vs Tottenham match on-site, focusing on evaluating England internationals such as Ali, Dale, Walker, Kane, but the main focus was on Ali.
Therefore, Chiwo’s underlying question was whether we should choose Ali or Henderson if playing a single defensive midfielder?
Mancini puffed on his cigarette, exhaling clouds of smoke.
His thoughts returned to the match two days ago!
This match was truly thrilling, whether it was Tottenham’s two powerful shots by Gualin in the first half or Tang Long leading the team’s counterattack afterward, from a purely spectacular perspective, it was truly exhilarating.
Mancini extinguished the cigarette and blurted:
"I’ve watched the match, and Tang Long’s performance was truly impressive; he seems stronger than when he was at Inter Milan!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Why did he mention Manchester City’s player Tang Long?
Mancini glanced at his watch, seeing it was only 8:40, still early.
So he decided to delve further into Tang Long’s performance.
"Can you believe it? A player under 20, with unparalleled creativity in offense, and in defense, his positioning and anticipation are equally top-notch. Take his decisive tackle on Nasri for example, I’m not sure whether Ali or Henderson could cleanly do that..."
Before Mancini finished speaking, Chiwo happily chimed in:
"Exactly, the key is that after intercepting the ball, he still had the stamina to charge 50 meters while carrying the ball, eventually sending a cross from the flank that forced Nasri’s own goal, even though it was post-90 minutes!"
Mancini curiously asked: "Christian, did you also see the match?"
"I didn’t watch it live, but I watched the replay. A match this exciting, how could I miss it?"
Then, in front of other members of the England national team coaching staff and scouts, Mancini and Chiwo chatted about Tang Long as if nobody else was present.
When they reached an exciting part, they laughed heartily, slapped the table, and looked absorbed, as if they were watching the match from the sidelines.
Everyone exchanged bewildered looks.
Called us up for a meeting so early, yet the head coach and assistant coach are only discussing Manchester City, only discussing Tang Long, and not discussing England internationals?
No one could butt in.
"Hey, what’s the deal with this meeting? Is the theme even clear?" a coach whispered to a nearby person.
"Who knows, maybe Mancini and Chiwo still think they’re working for Inter Milan," another person whispered with a laugh.
...
"Manchester City official: Gundogan joins Manchester City, signs for 5 years"
Although when Gundogan was spotted on the Manchester City stands, transfer rumors were rampant;
many predicted he would immediately join Manchester City, a notion supported by seasoned insider Di Ma Zhi Ao.
However, when Manchester City’s official announcement settled the dust, it still caused ripples in the Premier League.
Fans marveled at Manchester City’s swift transfer pace, catching wind swiftly and securing the deal.
The transfer reportedly cost Manchester City 31 million euros, with negotiations taking only three days, reaching a consensus.
Manchester City fans were naturally thrilled.
As fans, they were elated; who wouldn’t want their team to lavishly spend in the transfer market, especially acquiring a young talent like Gundogan?
Soon, the 8 jersey worn by Gundogan was available for sale in the club’s souvenir shop!
More and more British media have begun to follow this player who plays for Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
The Guardian likens Gundogan to the final piece in the puzzle for Manchester City’s championship ambition, saying his exquisite skills and broad vision will further enhance City’s midfield depth.
"Manchester City’s midfield is already packed with talent such as Toure, Delph, Fernando, Fernandinho, among others. Gundogan’s arrival may not immediately secure a starting spot, but he is definitely a significant addition to squad depth."
Manchester Evening News suggests that Gundogan’s likely position at Manchester City is as a rotating defensive midfielder, partnering with regular starter Toure.
"Gundogan’s arrival can free up Tang Long to focus on his role at the front to deliver firepower to the forward line, making this a marvelous transfer."
However, the Daily Telegraph, known for contradicting Manchester City, has presented a sharp perspective.
They claim that Manchester City’s determination to forcibly acquire Gundogan from Dortmund during the winter transfer window is yet another crude disruption by the Abu Dhabi Consortium to football’s ecological balance!
"Gundogan has played in European competitions for Dortmund; he cannot represent Manchester City in this season’s Champions League!"
"Can’t think of a reason why City rushed to buy him, unless it’s solely to secure the league?"
"They’re already strong enough, yet they keep spending extravagantly, buying top players."
"It’s too luxurious!"
"When the day comes that Manchester City has bought all the top players worldwide, they’ll easily dominate the Premier League for 10, or even 20 years."
"When this day comes, it symbolizes the complete downfall and decay of grassroots football on the British Isles!"
"What we need is a league where every club can compete for season objectives, not a game belonging solely to Manchester City!"
...
Gundogan doesn’t care about the outside evaluations.
His purpose in coming to Manchester City is singular, to play as a starter with a high salary and win championships.
So, he disagrees with the media portraying him as just enhancing midfield depth.
At the age of 25, coming from Dortmund to Manchester to play as a substitute?
No amount of money would make me do that!
In his first training session after joining the team, he even felt a bit smug.
Not only did Manchester City chase me, but Barça did too. If City hadn’t moved swiftly and offered high bids, I might be playing for Barça now!
Thinking of the teammates around him, they should have been Iniesta, Harvey, Messi, but now it’s Toure, Delph, Agüero.
Gundogan felt a slight disappointment at that moment.
After watching Manchester City’s match against Tottenham, Gundogan believes the only midfielder in City whose skills can compare with his is Tang Long.
Toure is past his prime; his physical condition and response speed are declining.
Don’t even mention Fernando, Delph, Fernandinho; Gundogan doesn’t take them seriously, only considering them as second-rate football players.
So during a water break in training, Gundogan actively engaged with Tang Long.
"Hey, I watched your match against Tottenham live, your passing was amazing! Both the speed and the anticipation were exceptional!"
Tang Long nodded, thought for a moment, and then asked back, "Which pass are you talking about? I can’t remember."
Gundogan was startled, thinking this guy is quite arrogant. Can he deliver such passes in every game? Don’t pretend!
"I mean the assist to Agüero, a chip pass. There was no one when passed, but Agüero rushed in when it landed. Do you often train like this?"
"Oh, that pass," Tang Long patted his head in realization, "No, we haven’t especially trained for it, just a flash of inspiration. I generally decide where to pass one second ahead."
Gundogan naturally didn’t believe him, wanted to ask more questions, but assistant coach Rein blew the whistle to continue training, and the players returned to the field.
Thinking of Tang Long’s calm tone just now, Gundogan felt displeased.
What the heck?
You think it’s my first day playing professional football.
I’ve partnered with top forwards like Lewandowski and Aubameyang.
Even wanting to make such plays in training and matches requires extensive muscle memory during training, along with countless private discussions to build mutual understanding.
You’re claiming you decide where to pass one second ahead? Are you trying to fool a three-year-old?
Tang Long, you’re strong, but no need to fake it in front of me.
With that thought, Gundogan’s sense of pride increased even more.
I was coveted by Barça, they even said they’d groom me to replace Harvey. If not for City paying more, Dortmund wouldn’t have sold me here.
Just wait, I’ll amaze you soon.
...
Soon, Gundogan got his first appearance opportunity after joining Manchester City!
Only 4 days after the league match against Tottenham, they were set to play Villa away in the English League Cup semifinals.
Pellegrini also made some rotations.
Several substitute players were given a chance to start.
And new signing Gundogan was included in the starting lineup.
And he’s playing not as a defensive midfielder, but taking Tang Long’s place — as an attacking midfielder!