After returning to Nottingham and resuming training, there were teammates who mentioned to Wood his last-minute assist. It was his sudden dribbling that created a chance for Albertini to equalize the score. Even his teammates, who were very familiar with George, were surprised by his actions. Not to mention the game, it was rare to see George Wood dribble the ball more than 30 meters even in the usual training group matches.
"Uh-huh. George Wood, how does it feel to dribble the ball and run wildly at the last minute of the game and then assist the goal? "During a break in training, Ribéry mimicked a reporter and asked Wood.
Wood looked at him and said expressionlessly, "It's not bad."
Ribéry scratched his head. "Hey, George, you're not cooperating at all. The reporters are having a headache … Didn't your playboy agent teach you how to deal with the media?"
"But you're not a reporter."
The teammates who were watching the commotion all burst into laughter.
Ribéry coughed twice and muttered, "I don't know if you're not into it enough, or if you're too into it …"
※ ※ ※
While Ribéry was still joking with Wood on the training ground, Albertini did not sit on the sidelines to rest. Instead, he went straight to the manager's office.
"What's the matter, Demetrio?" Tang En made tea for himself in the office. He liked to drink tea, and his drinking habits were not at all British. Everyone in the club knew this.
"Boss, I want to talk to you about George …"
Tang En put the teacup on the table. "George? What's wrong with him? "
"I think you're limited in your use of him," Albertini said seriously.
Tang En understood this man's character. He was the kind of person who would say whatever was on his mind. That was why he would argue with every manager who had coached him. However, such a thing had not happened in their previous cooperation. Tang En was just feeling that something was wrong when he took the initiative to approach him.
So, Tang En turned around to make tea again. "Do you want sugar or cream?"
"Ah? Uh, no thanks, Boss. I'll just drink water. "
Tang En handed the cup to Albertini. "Now tell me in detail, Demetrio."
"Boss, you're using George as a midfield engineer, but I don't think he should be like that. His position and role shouldn't be just that of an engineer. Being responsible for defense is enough to complete the mission. It shouldn't be like this. "Albertini shook his head.
"Then what do you mean?"
"I hope George can become a midfielder who can attack and defend, and become … a midfielder like me."
"Control the rhythm of offense and defense?"
Albertini nodded. "The advantage he has over Arteta and me is that his stamina is better than any of us. He can persist in starting every game for a season and play the full 90 minutes. He doesn't need to be rotated. I think stability is the first element that a core needs to have, whether it is a stable state or a stable number of appearances. This way, the team will be able to adapt to him more easily. "
Tang En listened and nodded. He noticed that Albertini was looking at him, so he gestured and said, "Continue."
"George's physical condition is excellent. I think it's a waste to only be a defensive midfielder. If this kind of body could be used in offense, it would definitely create more trouble for the opponent. Did you see our last goal? Martins, Cruz, and Cambiasso did not pose a threat to him. If we have someone in the front field who can hold the ball and is not afraid of losing the ball, our offense will be more relaxed. "
Tang En pointed to Albertini. "You and George can do it. You hold the ball, and he protects. Haven't we been like this for more than a season?"
"If one person can do it, do we still need two people?"
Albertini's rhetorical question made Tang En speechless.
"If one person can do the work of two people, then wouldn't the other person be freed to do other things? Wouldn't we have 12 people on the field? "
"You're right to say that, Demetrio. But you know that George really lacks talent in offense. "
Albertini shook his head and denied the statement. "That might just be because he performs too well in defense, which overshadows his other talent. Boss, did you see his performance in the final moments of the last game?"
Tang En nodded.
"It was beautiful, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was. It was great and beautiful."
"If he really didn't have talent, how could he have discovered that passing route? You know, the penalty area was full of people. I didn't stand in the crowd and raise my hand to ask for the ball. I just ran diagonally to the gap I saw and then prayed that George could see it. He did see it and passed the ball over accurately. "Albertini was still a little excited when he talked about the goal. He was not excited about his goal. Although he did not score many goals in his career, it was not worthwhile to be excited about a goal. He was excited because the goal came from George Wood's assist.
"Well, I think he was lucky. Demetrio, it was just a coincidence, a coincidence."
"But behind every coincidence, there must be a necessity. I believe he might not know I was in the penalty area, but he must have seen the gap. Otherwise, he would not have passed the ball to that place. Do you agree with that, boss? "
Tang En nodded. "Yes."
"Some players play football their whole lives and can't see that gap. But Wood can. Isn't that a kind of talent? He just shows this talent later than his talent in other areas. "
Just as the two were talking, the assistant manager, David Kerslake, walked in.
"What are you talking about, Tony, Demetrio?"
"About George's future." Tang En spread his hands.
"George's future?" Kerslake did not understand.
"I told the boss that he made a mistake in using George. George should not just be a midfield engineer, doing nothing but defending. "
Kerslake heard Albertini say so and looked up at Tang En, wanting to know what he meant.
"We just happened to be discussing whether George has offensive talent. What do you think, David? "Tang En asked.
Kerslake thought about it. "When he was in the youth team, I always let him play as a defensive midfielder and told him to defend at the back when attacking. Because, to be honest, I didn't see any offensive talent in him at all."
Albertini was a little dissatisfied with Kerslake's answer. He shrugged. "If you all just told him: 'When attacking, you wait at the back.' How could you find any other talent in him besides defense? "
"Uh, Demetrio. In the beginning, George's position in the team was as a striker, but he never scored a goal. Instead, he even tackled and broke Eastwood's leg. "Kerslake explained to Albertini.
The Italian nodded. "I know about this, coach. But George at that time was different from the George now. The George now is more mature. I believe he can do better than before. Of course, I don't think he's suited to play as a striker. His best position is still as a defensive midfielder, but he's not a defensive engineer. "
"You want Eastwood to be the real core?" Tang En pointed out Albertini's meaning.
"Yes. Not just mentally, but also tactically. "Albertini paused and then said," In fact, there's another very important reason. I hope George can become a player like me, a midfielder who can attack and defend. Another reason is that I've decided to retire. "
The teacup at the side of his mouth stopped. Tang En thought he had heard wrong.
Kerslake turned his head to look at the Italian sitting on the sofa.
"I'm sorry. If I didn't hear wrong, Demetrio, you just said you're retiring?" Kerslake asked.
Albertini nodded. "My contract expires this season."
"Oh, no, no. The club has already prepared a brand new contract for you. There's no problem with all the benefits. As long as you sign it, you can continue to play football. There's no problem at all, "Kerslake said in a panic. He thought Albertini said this because the club had not announced a contract extension with him yet.
"You've misunderstood me, David. When I was injured before the season, I seriously considered this issue. I felt that my body could no longer recover. If I continue like this, I'll only play a few more games like this in the future and get injured a few more times. It won't help the team at all. I don't want to be a good-for-nothing sitting in the stands and getting paid. "
Tang En put down the teacup and pulled open the drawer to rummage through.
"So, I've decided not to renew my contract with the club after this season. Then I'll go back to Italy to take coaching courses. After I retire, I plan to be a coach. This has been my plan for a long time. "
Tang En walked over and waved his hand to stop Albertini from continuing. He handed a document to the Italian.
"It's not time to say goodbye yet, Demi. This is the draft contract the club has prepared for you. We're just about to look for your agent to discuss it. "
Albertini flipped through it and returned it to Tang En. "I'm very grateful for the club's trust in me. This is really a generous contract."
It was indeed generous. It was also a two-year contract, but there were no restrictions on the number of appearances, goals, or assists. There were no conditions that restricted him from continuing to receive a salary. His salary was even higher than the first contract because the club's financial situation had improved. At the same time, the team's overall salary had also increased.
"But I can't accept it."
Tang En looked at the expression on Albertini's face. "Do you think this is charity, Demi?"
Albertini shook his head.
"Your performance is worthy of this contract. The team still needs you. If I were to walk out at this time and say to them, 'Your captain has decided to stay on the team,' do you know how happy they would be? "Tang En pointed to the window behind him.
"Look at how well you performed in the last match. You're not old yet, Demi. "
Albertini tilted his head and smiled. "I'm already 34 years old. Not old yet? When I was young, I could play in that kind of game for a season. Now, I can only play it occasionally. That's the difference. "
The news was too sudden for Tang En. When Albertini was injured, he had worried about this problem. However, Demi had been very optimistic at the time, so he had gradually forgotten about it. He did not expect the optimism to be only on the surface. He had been planning for this all along.
Kerslake looked at the stubborn Albertini and did not know what to say.
However, Tang En was even more stubborn than Albertini. "No, Demi. I want you to reconsider your retirement. Didn't you just say that you hope George can become a midfielder like you? If you retire at the end of this season, how can he be like you? If you must leave, please stay for another year to help us and train George. You can personally tell him what he should do during the games and training. What do you think of my suggestion? "
Albertini looked at Tang En. "The person who made this suggestion was me?"
Tang En nodded.
"And the person who is now solving this problem is me?"
Tang En continued to nod.
Albertini lowered his head and seriously considered it. Tang En did not rush him. He turned back to continue drinking his tea.
"Really only one year?" Albertini's voice rang out.
"One year. But if you think one year is not enough and you need more, I have no objections. "Tang En smiled.
"Alright, I'll sign it. I'll call my agent over tomorrow. You've won, Boss. However, this is my last contract. I'll officially retire at the end of next season. "
It was already a good result to be able to retain Albertini to play for the team for another season. Tang En did not have much to ask for.
"As you wish, Demi. Alright, go train now. "
Albertini and Kerslake left together. Tang En was not in a hurry to return to the training ground. He boiled some hot water for the cooled tea, then picked up the teacup and stood in front of the window again, watching the training ground outside.
He had thought that by offering a very generous contract, Albertini would develop more feelings for the Forest team. In the end, whether it was Atlético Madrid, Lazio, or Nottingham Forest, none of them could leave a deep impression in his heart. It was like cutting it with the back of a knife. No matter how much strength was used, it would only leave a white mark that would slowly disappear with the passage of time. AC Milan, on the other hand, was like cutting it with the edge of a knife. It was very painful and would bleed. However, after the bleeding stopped, it would leave an indelible scar. No matter how long it took, unless he died, it would remain in that place.
Looking at Albertini, who had reappeared on the training ground, Tang En sighed.
※ ※ ※
A day later, Nottingham Forest officially held a press conference. The club chairman, Evan Doughty, the team's manager, Tony Twain, and the player, Demetrio Albertini, were all present.
At the press conference, Tang En first announced the news of the contract renewal.
"… I'm very happy to announce this decision. Demi has already signed a new contract with the team. In the next season, our number four captain will continue to stay here and fight with us."
There was a round of applause from the reporters' seats.
Tang En pointed to Albertini. It was his turn to speak.
"I'm very grateful that the club was able to provide me with a very good contract. I also like Nottingham Forest very much. Playing for Forest for two seasons has brought me a lot of joy and beautiful memories. Everyone here has been very good to me, making me feel like I'm not a foreigner at all. This is the main reason why I decided to renew my contract for another year. Thank you to the club's chairman, Doughty, thank you to Manager Tang En, thank you to every one of my teammates. I've decided to stay and fight with you for another season. "
There was another round of applause.
"At the same time, I've also decided that this will be the last contract of my career as a player."
The reporters were clearly unprepared in the face of this announcement. They looked at each other.
Tang En sat to one side and quietly listened to Albertini.
"At the end of the next season, I will officially retire and end my career as a professional player. This is the result of careful consideration. Thank you, everyone. "
With that, Albertini got up and shook hands with Tang En before turning to leave.
Tang En turned to the reporters and said, "As everyone can see, it's fortunate that Demi has agreed to play for another year. Unfortunately, Demi will only play for one year. I have nothing more to say. Today's press conference will end here. Thank you, everyone. Goodbye! "
※ ※ ※
Due to an impromptu matter in the afternoon, the morning and afternoon copies were distributed together. (To be continued, if you wish to know what happened next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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