Chapter 12: I am a Playmaking Midfielder, Why Give Me a Tackling Skill?

[Beginner Treasure Chest: Peak Market Value below €15 million]
[Intermediate Treasure Chest: Market Value €15 million - €30 million]
[Advanced Treasure Chest: Market Value €30 million - €70 million]
[Superstar Treasure Chest: Market Value €70 million+]
[You have acquired... Casemiro's Tackle!]
[Defense: 40 → 55]
[Physicality: 52 → 61]

What the hell?
Tang Ye’s brow suddenly furrowed.
He had heard of Casemiro; he was a Real Madrid player, and his market value was estimated to be around €10 million.
The system had classified him under the Superstar Treasure Chest, which meant this player’s future market value would reach at least €70 million.
That was truly incredible.
However, Tang Ye had a problem now.
A very serious problem.
He was an attacking midfielder—what on earth was he supposed to do with a tackling skill!

...

On the day of the match, half an hour before kickoff, Chinese fans saw the official squad list for Utrecht posted on Twitter.
Number 99, Meng, was on the list!
"Meng is here, brothers! Bet on ADO Den Haag to win; it’s a sure thing."
"You guys really look down on my boy Meng!"
"A 16-year-old playing in the Eredivisie? Wow, is Ten Hag that bold?"
"It’s not about being bold; it’s wisdom! Wisdom! Ten Hag has the vision!"
"Holy crap, am I actually going to see a 16-year-old Chinese player take the pitch in the Eredivisie?"
"Those who don't know football bet on Den Haag to win. People like me, who actually know the game, bet directly on a stoppage-time winner for Utrecht after the 80th minute. The odds are 1:80. I'll scare the hell out of you guys, hahaha!"

"Okay, good evening, brothers. Today we are live-streaming the third round of the Eredivisie, the match between ADO Den Haag and FC Utrecht. Based on the historical head-to-head records, Utrecht hasn't beaten Den Haag in the last year, so I recommend leaning towards the home team remaining unbeaten."
Wang Chao provided his analysis: "Of course, there is another highlight for this match: Tang Ye has appeared on the team's pre-match squad list!"
"To show my support for the Chinese player, I’m donating 100 [virtual currency] for this match and betting on a straight win for Utrecht!"
Upon learning that Tang Ye would be playing, the "Bean Warriors" in Wang Chao’s livestream channel suddenly became nervous.
Gamblers fear nothing more than these "lucky guessers"!
The broadcast director was very sharp, cutting to a shot of Tang Ye and Amrabat sitting on the bench.
Both players had been promoted from the second team, but unlike Tang Ye, Amrabat had already received playing time in the first round of the league, clearly making him more favored by Ten Hag.

Beep!
The first half began, and the home side, ADO Den Haag, immediately launched an attack on Utrecht.
In the 34th minute, a header from Havenaar gave Den Haag a 1-0 lead over Utrecht.

"Damn it!"
Ten Hag threw his hands up in frustration.
He was extremely dissatisfied with the team conceding that goal.
They had defended for 30 minutes, only to slip up at this very moment!

"Holy crap, that’s impressive."
Tang Ye’s eyes were wide open. This was his first time watching an Eredivisie match from the bench at close range.
The speed!
The intensity!
Tang Ye had a feeling that these 1.9-meter-tall players on the pitch might just take a kick at him at any moment!
"It’s alright, don't be nervous!"
Amrabat, speaking from the perspective of someone who had been there, comforted Tang Ye: "You don't need to force an opportunity to show off during your first time as a substitute; just play the game honestly."
"It's fine."
Tang Ye leaned back in his chair like a boss.
He knew his own level, and Ten Hag knew his level as well. Putting him into a game of this caliber was undoubtedly just handing the opponent a gift!

The second half began, and a trailing Utrecht launched a counterattack against Den Haag. In the 62nd minute, Utrecht won a corner kick.
"Ramsteelaar, take the corner!"
"Haller! Haller! The header—he didn't connect well, he’s following up with his foot—beautiful!"
Although Wang Chao knew that betting on the away team to win was essentially a donation, seeing the away team score made him quite excited.
Why excited?
Because if it ended in a draw, those in the chat who bet on Den Haag winning wouldn't make any money.
It’s fine if I don't have money to go get a foot massage, but I won't stand by and watch you go get one!
That is the ultimate disrespect to the "Happy Bean" players!

"Great goal!"
Ten Hag applauded Haller on the pitch, then began shouting instructions and making gestures.
Having just scored a goal, this was the moment when Utrecht’s morale was at its highest.
Ten Hag wanted to use this opportunity to complete a comeback!
He turned back to look at the bench: "Sofyan (Amrabat), Rubio (Luvambo), you two go warm up."
"Hmm, and also..."
Ten Hag’s gaze shifted around the bench, finally landing on Tang Ye, who was sitting with his legs crossed: "Lazy pig, you go warm up too."
On camera, Tang Ye took off his jacket and put on a yellow bib. A sudden cheer erupted from the stands.
It wasn't just the home fans; the home team's coaching staff reacted the same way. Den Haag’s manager, Kalezic, glanced at Tang Ye, who was stretching on the sidelines, then turned his gaze toward Ten Hag.
Wait, we’re playing a proper Eredivisie match, what is the meaning of you putting a 16-year-old on?
"Sir, we’re being mocked!"
The assistant coach whispered in Kalezic’s ear, simultaneously updating the manager on Tang Ye’s situation.

"Lucky? What kind of trait is that? Tell me what type of player he is."
"Hmm..."
The assistant coach thought carefully before replying: "He should be an attacking midfielder."
"Should be?"

...

"Den Haag!"
Bang! Bang!
"Den Haag!"
Bang! Bang!
The sound of the home fans cheering grew louder and louder, and the match became increasingly tense. Utrecht, continuing their fierce assault, still hadn't found a goal by the 80th minute.
The score remained deadlocked at 1-1!
Ten Hag looked at the players warming up next to him, preparing to make a substitution: "Rubio, and Sofyan..., hmm."
Ten Hag paused when he mentioned Amrabat.
With the game in a stalemate, putting on another defensive midfielder didn't seem useful.
In that case...
"Tang, get ready to go on!"

Oh?
Hearing his name, Tang Ye raised his eyebrows.
As expected, hard work always pays off!
His Eredivisie debut was finally here!
"A substitution for Utrecht: Luvambo replaces Barazite, and... Tang Ye replaces Ayoub!?"
"My god, Tang Ye is actually on!"
In the 82nd minute, after a high-five with Ayoub, Tang Ye jogged toward his position under Ten Hag’s urging.

"Meng is here! Did anyone bet on a 1-2 score? Watch my boy Meng use an outside-of-the-boot shot to treat you all to a foot massage!"
"16 years old in the Eredivisie? I remember Tang Ye is still on a youth contract, right?"
"The youth contract doesn't matter; what matters is that Tang Ye can 'luck into' a goal. Utrecht can't score, and Ten Hag is counting on Tang Ye to go up there and fluke one in."
"Laughing my head off. A professional Eredivisie manager is counting on a 16-year-old to go on and fluke a goal? Don't you realize how ridiculous you sound?"
Watching Tang Ye’s back as he slowly jogged onto the pitch, Ten Hag gripped the fabric of his jacket tightly in his pocket.
Tang, fluke one in, and you can eat in the first-team canteen from now on!