Li Ang looked at Carlos and said, "I've been observing your performance. You've done well, Juan. Your physical fitness is very good. When you're defending, your positioning is very good. You're always able to cause trouble for the opposing attacking players. "
Juan Carlos listened quietly. He knew that if a person started off with a compliment, it would usually be bad news at the end.
However, he still had a glimmer of hope. The Chinese coach's serious attitude towards him was the reason for his hope. He also knew that his thoughts were ridiculous. When had a coach ever been gentle to a player whose strength did not meet the requirements?
Perhaps it was because of the thumbs up the man had given him just now? Or the smile just now?
There was also the fact that at this moment, other than listening and waiting for the "punishment," what other choice did he have?
Li Ang glanced at Carlos. "Relax, although I know you might not like what I'm about to say."
Juan Carlos immediately became nervous. In the end, it was still bad news? He had just signed a contract with Sporting de Gijón. Was he going to be terminated?
"I believe you understand your situation." Li Ang spread his hands. "You're a center back, but your heading ability is really bad."
Carlos nodded silently. He was about to say something, but was stopped by Li Ang.
"Let me finish," Li Ang said. "For a center back, the ability to head is very important. You should understand this point. "
"Yes, sir," Carlos said.
"I really don't understand." Li Ang rubbed his temples. "Your jumping is not bad, and your height is not bad. Why can't you head?"
Li Ang was really confused about this point.
Carlos's face changed. "I'll work hard to improve my heading ability. I've been working hard to practice heading these days."
"I believe that." Li Ang nodded. "You're a very hardworking kid. However, the improvement of your heading ability is not something that can be achieved overnight. "
Carlos didn't say anything.
"I have to say, you're really not suited to play center back."
Sure enough, it still came!
Juan Carlos felt bitter in his heart. He thought that he was going to hear about his contract being terminated.
However, what the coach said next made him raise his head abruptly. His eyes were filled with shock!
"I've been thinking about it." Li Ang said, "What position is suitable for you?"
Didn't he tell him to get lost?!
The coach said that he was considering which position he should play? What did he mean?! Could it be?
"I've thought about it and decided to move your position forward to the midfield." Li Ang made a motion to move forward.
"Midfield?" Juan Carlos suddenly raised his voice.
"That's right, the midfield!" Li Ang said. He looked at Carlos, stared into the child's eyes, and said very seriously, "I think you have the talent to play in the midfield. That is the stage that truly belongs to you!"
*****
Carlos was completely stunned!
He wasn't chasing him away!
The coach told him to play in the midfield. He even said that he had the talent to play in the midfield. He said that that was the stage that truly belonged to him!
Carlos was completely stunned!
No one had ever said that he was suited to play in the midfield. On his first day at Getafe, Coach Gonzalo had asked him what position he wanted to play. He had said that he was a defender, so the coach had directly arranged for him to play as a center back. Carlos himself had always thought that he could only play as a center back.
Now, this person said that he had the talent to play in the midfield!
Most importantly, that sentence, 'that is the stage that truly belongs to you!'
Carlos felt as though he had been struck by lightning. No one had ever said that, that the football field was his stage!
Is there a stage for me here?!
Although he had been persevering, working hard, and never giving up, Carlos was still confused about his future!
That's right, he firmly believed that he could rely on his feet to create a future!
However, that was only the spirit deep within his heart. It was the spirit of unwillingness, the spirit of desire to save and change his fate!
As for the road ahead, how he should move forward on the road of football, and what kind of achievements he would have, he had not thought about it carefully at all. For a child in the slums, it was too far away. They had to determine the next step first, and there was still a way to go at the next intersection.
And now, Li Ang was telling him that there was a stage that belonged to him in the midfield!
Carlos felt that the stubbornness deep within his heart had been struck!
So, he could really look forward to a beautiful future on the football field?
He lowered his head to look at his feet. It was as though his feet were filled with magic.
Is the midfield your stage?!
This stubborn and unswerving child was in fact, extremely lacking in recognition and encouragement.
*****
"How is it?" Li Ang looked at the somewhat dazed Carlos. "Are you willing to play in the midfield?"
Carlos raised his head and looked at Li Ang. He quickly and with an extremely firm tone, he replied, "I am willing, sir! I am willing! "
Li Ang was very happy to hear him say that. However, he still asked again, "Have you thought it through? If you have, I will arrange for you to try out a new position tomorrow. "
"I have thought it through very clearly." Carlos nodded hard and said, "I will play in any position you want me to! I will listen to you. "
This time, Li Ang was really surprised. He still remembered the kid's attitude towards him yesterday. He really did not expect that in just one night, this stubborn kid who was like a donkey would be so obedient to him.
"Why do you trust me so much?" Li Ang asked, "Aren't you curious why I think you can play in the midfield? What if my judgment is wrong this time? "
"I trust you." Carlos said, "On the one hand, it is because I know that if I don't change my position on the field, I really won't be able to play."
Li Ang nodded. This kid was an understanding person.
"There is one more thing." Carlos looked at Li Ang very seriously and said, "You are the first person to tell me that there is a stage for me on the football field!"
As he said that, the kid's eyes were a little red. He said it again forcefully, "You are the first! You said that I have the talent to play in the midfield. You said that that is my stage! "
"I am just a kid from the slums." Carlos rubbed his eyes. "No one has ever evaluated me like that. I only know now that I am valuable."
Li Ang was stunned. He did not expect that his words would make the kid so excited.
However, when he thought about Carlos's background and how difficult it was for the brother and sister, Li Ang somewhat understood.
Looking at the emotional Carlos, he raised his hand and patted the kid on the shoulder. "Remember! You are not just a valuable person! You will also have an incomparably brilliant future that is worth looking forward to! "
"This future is under your feet!"
"It will depend on your own efforts!"
"As for your position in the midfield, as well as the specific arrangements and requirements, I will take some time to explain it to you in detail."
Juan Carlos nodded vigorously.
Li Ang laughed and patted Carlos on the shoulder. "Let's go. Your sister must be waiting anxiously."
He walked first, and Carlos followed behind.
After walking for a while, Li Ang looked back and saw that Carlos had fallen behind. The kid seemed to be thinking about something.
"What's wrong?" Li Ang asked casually.
Carlos looked at Li Ang and hesitated for a moment. Then, he gritted his teeth and said very seriously, "Sir, I am very grateful for the opportunity you have given me, and thank you for your help!"
"Oh." Li Ang nodded.
"But, if you have any improper thoughts about my sister, I will not be polite to you!" Carlos said seriously.
Li Ang was stunned at first. He looked at the kid in surprise, and then he laughed out loud. He came over to pat Carlos on the shoulder, but this time, he did not succeed. The latter avoided his palm.
"I am very serious." Carlos said with his eyes wide open.
"Brat, you know nothing!" Li Ang laughed, but this guy was a little guilty. He raised his hand again to pat Carlos, but he saw the other party's vigilant eyes and stopped awkwardly. "Uh, let's go!"
Carlos stared at the manager's back. The kid had a complicated expression and shouted, "I am not joking. Sir! "
"Shut up!" Li Ang's voice came. "Also, don't call me sir. Call me 'boss' in the future!"
PS: Fourth update!
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