"It seems that Su Hang is really average in all aspects. I remember at the beginning, many fans who didn't like him posted his test results on the team's social media to mock him, right?"
"I remember that. I think he ran 100 meters in just under 14 seconds, right?"
"And the shuttle run was even slower, right?"
"His ball control, first touch, and dribbling were also terrible."
"Forget the statistics. Even if his stats were good, his coordination and fluidity are still far behind those of top players!"
"Those fans have been mocking Su Hang for his poor basic skills and mediocre physical condition, but they don't see the impressive statistics and stunning performances he's achieved despite such a weak foundation."
"Really! If Su Hang had 70% of Ronaldo's physical talent, I think he'd be even more dominant than Ronaldo!"
"Don't even mention Ronaldo. Even if you gave Su Hang the physical qualities of a Portillo, he could still beat all his opponents in La Liga!"
A mortal man, on par with a god!
My first love in soccer!
Clara's article made Su Hang hit two major headlines even from his hospital bed.
His personal fan base quickly expanded.
This made his competitors despair.
In January, the winter transfer window opened.
Realizing that he was no match for Su Hang, Morientes took the initiative to ask the team to let him leave.
Real Madrid agreed.
In the end, Premier League team Liverpool brought Morientes to Anfield for a discounted price of €9.2 million.
In addition, after communicating with Su Hang, Simon expressed his willingness to stay at Real Madrid.
He became the deputy head of the sporting department and technical director.
In theory, he could contribute more to the team in technical matters—
but only if Luxemburgo was willing to listen to his advice.
After taking office, Luxemburgo immediately presented his plan for Real Madrid:
a 4-1-3-2 formation.
The forwards would be Ronaldo plus one of Owen and Raúl, with the other as a substitute.
Left midfielder: Solari.
Attacking midfielder: Zidane.
Right midfielder: Beckham.
Defensive midfielder: Gravesen, signed from Everton that winter.
The defenders would be Roberto Carlos, Samuel, Helguera, and Salgado.
The goalkeeper would be Casillas.
As for Figo, Luxemburgo would give him a chance, but he didn't believe the soon-to-be 33-year-old could beat Beckham.
Of course, this was all internal information and had not yet been finalized.
Even the players themselves might not know.
The outside world knows even less.
However… Zidane is always one step ahead.
And there is also news from Raúl's side.
After all, he is a local leader, and his influence is not limited to the players.
...
"What do you think of Luxemburgo's lineup?" Zidane teased Su Hang while peeling apples in his mansion. "Hmm, should I call you a mere mortal? Or your first love in soccer?"
"If I were you, I wouldn't wave a knife around while thinking, it's easy to hurt yourself," Su Hang reminded Zidane. "Luxemburgo's intentions are obvious."
"This season might be a little better, but next season… you guys are going to have a hard time!"
Zidane's pupils contracted. "Tell me more."
Su Hang dragged a whiteboard from the side. "Attacking midfielder is the position that suits you best, and it's also your favorite position. But since the Galácticos were successfully established, you've been playing less and less there."
"Because there are too many compromises to make in the front line."
"Now they're giving you this position back—looks like respect, but in reality… it's pitting you against Raúl."
"In the past year and a half, Raúl has played about half the time in this role. Although you two have completely different styles there, only one can play it."
"Raúl is in a difficult situation. He has to compete with both Owen and you, two Ballon d'Or winners."
"I think Raúl will lose both positions. You are better at this role than him, and Owen is younger and faster."
"As the leader of the Spanish clique, even if Raúl doesn't speak up, someone will speak up for him to protect his turf. So… you and Owen will be ostracized by the locals."
Zidane smiled without saying anything, signaling for him to go on.
Su Hang nodded. "I know this sounds like a conspiracy theory, as if I'm judging others by my own standards."
"But once is a coincidence; twice or three times, probably not."
"Look at the right midfielder position—Beckham is the starter. Figo needs to compete with Beckham and… you for the spot."
"This is another battle between international players, isn't it?"
Figo will lose this competition… His performance will naturally not be as good as Beckham's.
Zidane frowned. "Although it's very disrespectful to Beckham to say this, I think Figo is more suitable for the right midfielder position at Real Madrid."
Su Hang nodded. "So, I guess the team's right back won't be the usual Salgado, but rather the backup center backs Bravo or Pavón."
"Without the support of full-backs, Beckham—who doesn't rely on dribbling—won't be affected. But Figo won't get going."
Zidane pointed to the left side. "What about the left flank? Figo is definitely better than Solari."
Su Hang wrote Roberto Carlos' name in the left back position and said, "That depends on Carlos going along with the coach's plan. If Carlos doesn't support Figo, it will be hard for him to shine—after all, this is the left flank, not the right."
"And even if Figo and Solari end up in fierce competition, that's exactly what they want to see."
The living room fell silent.
Zidane shared half of the apple in his hand with Su Hang. "Then why would Luxemburgo do this? Suppress the performance of international players and create conflicts between international players and the Spanish clique? To undermine Real Madrid?"
Switching to a red pen, Su Hang circled several positions. "If Figo doesn't perform well, Real Madrid won't renew his contract and will bring in a winger instead."
"And although Solari can also play wide, he's not an orthodox winger—he'll be easily pushed out by a new signing."
"Beckham plays mainly on the right, so depending on his performances, Real Madrid will want a physically strong, good-in-the-air, target man."
"Morientes is gone, and my career has already been handed a death sentence. Real Madrid will need to bring in a new target man."
"It's impossible for a backup center back to excel at right back, so they'll likely sign one or two reserve right backs—or even a new starter."
Su Hang then opened some recent news about the winter transfer window and found reports from Brazil about Luxemburgo, including players he was reportedly keen on.
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser