The Ajax fans in Amsterdam welcomed new expectations. Before the Champions League final in three weeks, the fans were happy and confident, without any sense of nervousness.
Comain was high-spirited and proud, and Ajax's star players were also in the limelight.
However, Qin Xiong's joy quickly turned into a slightly melancholic mood.
Mr. Slott had passed away.
It was the day after Ajax advanced to the Champions League final.
Qin Xiong only got the news over the weekend. If George had not secretly called him in the middle of the night, crying and remembering his father's passing, Qin Xiong might still be in the dark.
George told Qin Xiong that his sister did not tell Qin Xiong because she did not want to ruin Qin Xiong's good mood.
Ajax was at home to welcome the challenge of Breda in the league over the weekend.
Although the team had already won the title ahead of time, and Comain had announced in an interview the day before the game that he would give the young players some time to train, indirectly telling the outside world that the First Team's main players would avoid the game to recuperate, the home attendance was still full!
It was probably the encouragement of the team's advancement to the Champions League that stimulated the fans. Even if it was a routine league game and they would not see the star players perform, they were still happy to support.
Breda had defeated Ajax in the league in the first half of the season, but in the penultimate round of the season, their ranking was almost settled, and they were in the middle of the Eredivisie. Without any desire, they did not cause any waves in the away game. Ajax relied on the lineup put together by the substitutes and reserve players to easily beat Breda with a 2: 0 victory.
After the game, Qin Xiong left the stadium straight away. He went to Sylvia's house. There was a notice in front of her house, informing the neighbors of Mr. Slott's death. This was a European habit.
Her home was filled with a mourning atmosphere. There were some relatives and many neighbors who came together to mourn for Mr. Slott.
Qin Xiong did not know how to deal with such an occasion. He just comforted Sylvia with a few words, and then stood in the corner in a daze, expressionless.
Ever since he was young, he had never witnessed or participated in anyone's death.
Two days later, he attended Mr. Slott's funeral. Recently, he had only been quietly accompanying Sylvia and her brother.
Sylvia had a lot of things to deal with, and Qin Xiong couldn't help much.
Freddy had returned from England. On Wednesday night, he talked to Qin Xiong about his trip to England in detail.
Keane was about to turn 33 years old and could be said to be at the end of his career. Manchester United's midfield also needed a new successor.
Ferguson paid attention to Qin Xiong, but he felt that his attitude was not firm enough.
After all, Qin Xiong was an offensive midfielder, and Qin Xiong could not replace Keane's role.
However, considering that Scholes would also turn 30 years old at the end of the year, and Qin Xiong, who was only 19 years old in the summer, Ferguson intended to take him to Old Trafford. It was uncertain what the future would be like.
But after Qin Xiong heard Freddy's words, he was not interested in Manchester United's invitation.
He did not want to go to a new club and become a "reserve force."
He needed enough game time, a stable role, and the manager's 100% trust.
The more he advanced to the top league, the more essential these conditions were.
In terms of role, he did not want to become the next Manchester United's "Keane." It was not that he disliked the dirty work, but he was a midfielder with a different role from Keane.
He was not afraid to compete with Scholes, but the question was, if he really competed with Scholes, would it be fair?
There was no fairness at all.
Why should Ferguson treat him equally?
Why should he put a Manchester United kid on an equal footing with an outsider?
Could he and Scholes coexist?
Maybe.
But this time, when Freddy went to England to discuss with the Manchester United representative, there was no specific information about the prospects of the technical and tactical system. Maybe it was not to that point, or maybe Manchester United felt that they had shown enough sincerity. A world-class club, Manchester United, had extended an olive branch to a Chinese player. What was there to hesitate about? Hurry up and pick up your luggage and run to Manchester in high spirits!
Then proudly show off the Manchester United jersey, kiss the team badge, listen to Ferguson's teachings, and become a member of Manchester United's godfather.
Sorry, in Qin Xiong's impression, Manchester United was a strong club. As for the extra attraction, there was really nothing!
He had not been a fan of a certain team since he was a child. There was no "my dream to play for XX."
Manchester United was strong, that was all. Whether it was suitable for his career development needed to be calmly analyzed and thought.
It was that simple.
At present, Qin Xiong had not really calmed down to think about the next season.
At this stage, he was "collecting information," based on the promises and conditions made by the clubs that were interested in him. He would wait until the time was right to make the final decision.
Maybe Manchester United would abandon the 4-4-2 club, or maybe Manchester United would re-examine the potential value of the deal to bring in Qin Xiong. It had not reached the final decision yet. Anything could happen in the future.
Due to Mr. Slott's death, there was a strong contrast between the emotional state of Qin Xiong and his teammates. His calmness and the excitement and cheerfulness of his teammates formed a sharp contrast.
Comain thought that Qin Xiong was troubled by the rampant transfer rumors.
He specially called Qin Xiong to the office the day before the League's final game and had a serious conversation with Qin Xiong.
He actually already knew the trajectory of Qin Xiong's fate.
Qin Xiong would definitely leave in the summer.
Unless he suffered a major injury that prevented his transfer.
Otherwise, he would definitely leave!
Comain did not doubt this.
The contract was about to enter a dangerous one-year period. Ajax Club would not sit back and watch Qin Xiong leave the team on a free transfer. If Qin Xiong did not renew his contract, what was the point of forcing him to stay or freezing him?
Would it not be a loss?
Therefore, the club would also actively work on Qin Xiong's transfer after the season and send him off happily. Perhaps they were already secretly working on his possible transfer.
Qin Xiong did not want to tell Comain about Mr. Slott, so he went along with Comain's words and finally made a promise that he would concentrate on finishing this season.
May 16th, Eredivisie's final game.
Ajax went to Willem II's home game to play the final game. The main players were still frozen.
A large number of Ajax fans occupied the stands of Willem II's home game.
The substitutes worked very hard. Perhaps it was related to holding back for a season.
Ajax used the substitutes' lineup to massacre Willem II in the away game with a score of 5: 2.
When the final whistle of the game ended, Willem II's fans had already disappeared from the stands. Willem II's players and manager also quickly left the field.
They were not interested in staying to watch Ajax's coronation ceremony.
Qin Xiong, Snede, Van Der Vaart, Ibrahimovic and the others stood up from the substitutes' bench. Everyone applauded for their teammates and their own performance.
They and their teammates worked hard for this season!
Qin Xiong let out a long breath when he walked into the stadium. Then, after many days, he finally showed a hearty smile.
This was the first championship trophy in his career!
The Dutch Eredivisie champion!
He first hugged his teammates on the field, then stood in the middle of the field to wait for the award ceremony.
He saw Snede and Heitinga start the cat-and-mouse game again. He saw Van Der Vaart kiss his celebrity girlfriend in public. He saw Ibrahimovic look at the sky with his hands on his hips like a thinker. He saw his older teammates bring their families and children to the stadium in a warm way to celebrate the championship.
Because Ajax's season was not over yet, the players were very restrained even when they celebrated the championship title.
After the award ceremony began, Van Der Vaart received the individual award for the Eredivisie's best player of the season.
Qin Xiong also received his first individual award in his career amidst the cheers of the fans.
The Eredivisie's best newcomer of the season award.
When the captain Van Der Vaart picked up the Eredivisie championship trophy, which was actually a large disc-shaped trophy, the stadium rang out with the song "We are the Champions". Fireworks were fired and colorful stripes filled the sky.
Qin Xiong and his teammates had their arms around each other's shoulders and jumped rhythmically to celebrate the championship title.
As they looked at each other with bright eyes, everyone could feel a new fighting spirit brewing.
This was not the end. They still had a higher mountain to climb and a more glorious history waiting for them to create!
On this day, Qin Xiong received his first championship trophy and individual award in his career.
But he quickly put it to the back of his mind. He and his teammates were conserving their energy for the Champions League final in ten days!
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