Chapter 21: Who Resembles Me?
Manchester.
The Red Devils' manager’s office.
“Black Gold, have you trained Lee’s heading?”
“The quality of that header... damn, it’s top-notch!”
“Sir Ferguson was right...”
Van Gaal adjusted the red scarf around his neck, his expression grave: “The first Europa League match, Lee’s opponent is Everton.”
He then waved his hand: “Immediately! Send the data on Manchester United versus Everton to Wolfsburg, provide them with technical support!”
Giggs paused, puzzled: “Technical support?”
“But... we lost both previous Premier League matches against Everton...”
...
Silence fell over the room.
It had been a long time since they last received a victory bonus; after three rounds in the Premier League, Manchester United’s record stood at one loss and two draws.
Van Gaal’s cheeks flushed red as he huffed angrily: “Next time, I’ll win it back!”
“The same data analysis can be interpreted a thousand different ways by a thousand Hamlets.”
“The Everton data we compiled might inspire Wolfsburg’s coaching staff.”
“Lee is the Red Devils’ hope. In a few days, when he returns to England for the Europa League, if he suffers a heavy defeat against Everton again, the Manchester United fans will be heartbroken.”
Everyone was deeply moved.
“Boss, if we provide technical support to Wolfsburg now, won’t it be easier to negotiate player transfers with them later?”
“In the Premier League, you must call me Boss! There’s nothing worth buying from Wolfsburg’s players. De Bruyne is improving quickly, but others have obvious strengths and weaknesses. Humph, next summer’s transfer window, Manchester United must buy top-tier talent.”
...
Germany, Wolfsburg.
The assistant coaches received the fax from Manchester United.
They gradually got busy.
“Why haven’t Chelsea or Arsenal offered us technical support?”
“The treatment of a discarded player versus a crown prince—is it the same?”
“Stop grumbling and work hard. Everton is surely studying us carefully as well.”
Black Gold returned to his office, resuming his usual anxious demeanor.
The German media suspected his diet was problematic.
Often, a person’s bad mood isn’t due to weakness or poor psychological adjustment, but rather nutritional intake issues.
...
Wolfsburg was not only being studied by Everton.
Other European clubs were also watching Wolfsburg’s match footage.
Munich, Bayern’s training base.
Müller held a ping-pong paddle, leaning close to the screen.
“Not bad.”
“This Eastern lad scored two goals in one match? Beautiful passes and positioning...”
“Huh? Why was he there?”
“Wow! How did he put the ball in?”
“That run... why?”
Müller looked bewildered, gently rubbing his hair with the paddle, eyes dazed.
Who am I?
Where am I?
Bayern teammates laughed heartily.
Guardiola stared at the screen, dragging the progress bar back and forth, meaningfully saying, “Lee’s observation and game-reading ability, along with his gestures to direct teammates, are very similar to how I was when I was young.”
“Boss, many Bundesliga legends have already said Lee reminds them of themselves when they were young.”
...
Thiago added, “I also think he’s a bit like me... in his passing ability.”
*Clap, clap, clap!*
Bayern’s assistant coaches applauded: “Still different, though. Lee is a super genius. I remember when Klose was Lee’s age, he couldn’t even control the ball properly.”
...
Turin, Juventus training center.
The coaching staff were also watching Bundesliga match footage.
“Boss, this is the report scouts submitted. Our original goal was to assess Firmino, but Lee’s performance was even more dazzling.”
“Two goals, both showing different aspects of his abilities.”
“Also his ideas on breaking down Hoffenheim’s pressing system... very reasonable and correct.”
The assistant coaches chattered on.
Juventus head coach Allegri nodded silently.
“Pirlo will leave next year. Lee... can inherit his tactical role.”
“At that time...”
“Lee and Pogba will become the new midfield duo...”
“The foundation of Juventus for the next decade will come from Manchester United.”
“There’s also young Morata up front...”
The assistants indulged in hopeful daydreams.
Allegri shook his head: “Impossible.”
“Manchester United won’t give up their crown prince. Even Pogba will likely return to United, and Morata... might not stay at Juventus either.”
“Most likely, Lee and Pogba will form the strongest new-generation midfield duo at Old Trafford.”
...
Lower Saxony, Germany.
The sun was setting.
The amber light dyed the glass facade of the buildings.
The fountain in the central square, with water droplets flying out, looked like amber too.
Shadows stretched long.
“Lee, did you take a nap today? What book are you reading?”
De Bruyne asked curiously.
Lee Lu raised his head, holding up the book. The cover read: “Buffon: My Investment Insights.”
The Belgian’s eyes filled with admiration: “Hmm, we really need to learn financial management and do meaningful things.”
After a moment.
A business car bearing the wolf logo slowly pulled up by the roadside.
...
The children in the square cheered joyfully.
It was a rest day, and Lee Lu, along with several teammates, took the evening to participate in a charity event.
...
“Kids, don’t get too excited, calm down! Calm down...”
Bendtner held a megaphone, trying to control the situation.
But he failed.
Lee Lu was surrounded by a crowd of children.
He took packaged children’s jerseys from the staff and handed them out, one by one, into the arms of each child.
“Won’t the sizes be too big?”
“No problem, you’ll grow into them.”
Lee Lu hadn’t expected that after just two Bundesliga matches, he would be so warmly welcomed by Wolfsburg’s fans.
The admiration of young fans never lies.
“Lee, before you leave, can you help us win a championship trophy?”
...
He didn’t respond immediately to the innocent voices.
Suddenly, Lee Lu realized: all along, he had only thought about earning more loot box exchange chances, about returning to Manchester United next year with genuine genius-level skills. He had never thought about winning any championship during his loan at Wolfsburg.
The club was excellent.
Black Gold and the assistant coaches were excellent.
The teammates were excellent.
They must win a championship trophy. The shock of winning might multiply many times over!
“I won’t leave Wolfsburg empty-handed.”
“At that time, I will leave draped in championship glory!”
The children became even more excited.
*Clap, clap, clap!*
Photographers beyond the barricades couldn’t help but applaud enthusiastically.
Reporters scribbled furiously, jotting down Lee Lu’s words in their notebooks.
When the Chinese prodigy makes documentaries or autobiographies in the future, this speech will be indispensable.
Not far away.
Arsenal’s confident emperor, Bendtner, heard the words and widened his eyes, leaning back slightly: “This guy Lee is even better than me... I have to remember this speech; I’ll definitely use it someday.”
...
De Bruyne was ‘practicing’ passing with a group of children.
The interaction was going well at first.
Gradually, his obsessive-compulsive tendencies flared up.
“Don’t head the ball.”
“At this age, practicing headers will cause long-term problems!”