Kuroko no Basket: Honored One

Chapter 469 - 171: Pochettino

"Before you came, I asked Mr. Ego Jinpachi for your match data from Blue Lock."

"In these matches, your pass completion rate reached 97%, which is an unbelievably exaggerated figure."

"Although these matches lacked challenge for you, your pass completion rate, including the number of fatal passes, greatly surprised me. The people here don't understand how high your potential is."

As he spoke, Pochettino even took out a data sheet.

"This is a heat map of your movement during the match. You cover a lot of ground, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're doing a good job. In the Premier League, with your kind of running without a sense of position, the opponent would absolutely exploit the space you leave behind the instant you're out of position."

"Of course, you might think your game sense and observation skills would prevent that from happening, but please believe me, no one can be one hundred percent flawless on a Premier League pitch. Not even Pelé or Messi."

It was clear that Pochettino had come prepared.

He didn't just blindly praise Tendou's outstanding talent but also pointed out the existing problems in his game.

After listening, Tendou didn't feel offended. Although he was a bit unconvinced, he listened patiently.

He wasn't going to become arrogant just because he scored 3 goals against Loki and the others in a 5v5 match.

At the end of the day, Loki and the others were all forwards.

Strictly speaking, Tendou still hadn't been tested by world-class defending.

"So? You came all the way from London just to point out my shortcomings?"

"Of course not. I'm not that idle."

Pochettino looked seriously into Tendou's eyes.

"I'm here to invite you to join Tottenham Hotspur."

"You said you don't have a plan for the future, so why not try considering us?"

"Spurs may not be a giant club like Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Bayern Munich, nor do we have wealthy owners like PSG or Manchester City, but we have never lacked competitiveness in the Premier League."

That was the truth. Part of the Premier League's "BIG 6," who that follows football doesn't know?

Of course, they didn't lack competitiveness.

The team, Tottenham, while not on the level of Liverpool, Manchester United, or Arsenal, and not in the super-rich circle of Chelsea or Manchester City.

On the contrary, their owner was notoriously stingy, and few in Europe were willing to do business with Spurs.

But this team always managed to rank in the upper echelons of the Premier League, with a deep club history.

"Please believe me, I came here with sincerity. Your current ability may not be enough to be a starter for the team, but you will definitely become an important part of my plans for the future."

"You're only 17. I don't think other teams would give you a starting spot, but in my team, I will give you enough opportunities to prove yourself."

Pochettino had already made up his mind.

If Tendou agreed, he wouldn't mind giving him more chances.

Although the pressure of league results meant Tendou wouldn't get a lot of league playing time, competitions like the FA Cup were sufficient for a newcomer like Tendou to get experience.

After all, he was only 17!

If Tendou performed exceptionally well and could show the immediate impact of someone like Loki, Pochettino, facing squad pressure, would absolutely give him more opportunities.

Pochettino was definitely not a head coach who specialized in or loved using young players.

But he also wasn't so stubborn that he would ignore an Mbappé if one was right in front of him.

"If you come to my team, I won't have you play as a full-field free man."

"Why?"

"Because you're not ready yet. Just as I said, you're only 17, and your body isn't ready. And the Premier League is the most physically intense league in the world."

"I will place you in this position."

Pochettino took out a tactics board.

Poch, as Pochettino was known, was a head coach who excelled at high-pressing and fast counter-attacking tactics, placing great importance on midfield control.

This was also a popular style of play in modern football.

He laid out a formation right in front of Tendou.

4-3-3!

Son Heung-min, Harry Kane, Eriksen.

Sissoko, Winks, Alli.

Danny Rose, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Trippier.

There's no position for me?

As if seeing Tendou's confusion, Poch then slid his finger, replacing Eriksen with Tendou.

The formation also changed from a 4-3-3 to a 4-5-1.

"You can play here."

...

As he spoke, he moved Son Heung-min to the left, forming an attacking triangle with Harry Kane and Moussa Sissoko.

He moved Tendou to the right wing, creating a link with Dele Alli.

"You can also play here!"

Before he finished speaking, he moved Tendou to the very front, forming a two-striker partnership with Kane.

Son, Moussa, and others were positioned on the left and right flanks.

This was exactly the combination of central control and wing breakthroughs that he was so good at.

"So, what is my position after all?" Tendou asked the key question.

Poch smiled. "An attacking free man. You can freely choose your attacking position, whether to pass or to shoot, using all of your weapons to help the team score."

Tendou's eyes widened in an instant.

...

"In return, when we defend, we will adopt a high press. You will not only be the team's first line of defense, but you can also drop back to the midfield or sweep the wings from an attacking midfield position."

"No offense, but your current coach doesn't understand your value," he said, not caring if Ego Jinpachi was listening. "He hasn't utilized your abilities to their fullest."

He was qualified to make such an assessment of Ego Jinpachi.

After all, he was the head coach of a Premier League BIG 6 team; his fame and experience were on a completely different level.

"Of course, this is all contingent on you meeting my expectations."

In Pochettino's mind, Ego Jinpachi's ability was, at best, only enough to coach a youth team, or at most be an assistant coach for a team in one of the top five leagues.

And if he didn't meet those expectations?

Pochettino didn't say, but Tendou already understood.

If he didn't meet Pochettino's expectations, Tendou's position would be very awkward, because if things went as expected, Poch would be sacked next year.

"Tendou, I know that other people will definitely contact you later. Our scouts told me that Paris Saint-Germain is very interested in you."

"What I have to say is, they already have Neymar and Loki as two core players, plus a top-tier winger like Di María. If you go to Paris Saint-Germain, you won't get enough opportunities."

Tendou smiled. "And I'll get enough opportunities at Spurs?"

Pochettino replied, "At least I won't throw you into the youth team. I will give you the chance to prove yourself. Whether you can seize it is up to you."

...

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