Şahin demonstrated his skills at the meeting with the fans and the media, showing that the injury had not really destroyed his body. But there were still doubts about him. Fortunately, he came from England and did not know English. He could not understand or hear what the media said about him, so he had less trouble. And Tang En also told him that as a professional player, the best way to refute doubts was not to argue with the other party in the media, but to use his performance on the field to slap them in the face.
At the same time, the psychiatrist that Tang En mentioned to Evan was also in place. There were four female doctors, ranging from young to old. They had rich clinical experience in football club psychotherapy. Their first "patient" was the former Turkish genius, Nuri Şahin.
Dunn smiled at Tang En. "Actually, there's no need to hire one. You're the best psychiatrist for these people."
Tang En pursed his lips. "I'm not a master who can do all kinds of work."
※ ※ ※
Barcelona's new manager, Guardiola, stood on the side of the grassy training ground and was being interviewed by a television station. He talked a lot about the prospects for the new season and was now talking about the transformation of the rear defensive line. "Gabriel is adapting. He's doing well. I don't think it's a good idea to always have Carles (Puyol) as a center back. I know where Barcelona's weakness in the rear is. We need a center back who is good at headers, has height, has a body, and has outstanding jumping to make up for this weakness. "
"Rumor has it that Barcelona has contacted Nottingham Forest's Piqué. Is this true?"
"I don't want to lie to you. The truth is that our people did make an offer to Nottingham Forest. But so far, we have not received a response from them. "Guardiola shook his head.
Of course, they did not receive a response from Nottingham Forest because Nottingham Forest was having a headache over the offer.
Barcelona offered ten million pounds for Piqué. For a center back, the price was not low. The key was that Tang En was not willing to let Piqué go. Over the past three seasons, his partnership with Pepe had long become Nottingham Forest's main configuration. Both of them were very tall, had excellent anti-air abilities, and were physically strong. They were like fish in water in the English Premier League, where physical strength was emphasized. With his outstanding performance in the Forest team, Piqué was also selected for the Spanish national team and won the UEFA European Championship with the team this summer. As a player, he had already won the Premier League, Champions League and UEFA European Championship at the age of 21. What more could he ask for?
What Tang En was afraid of now was that he did not have any extravagant requests. Because it meant that the reason he was best at using to attract people was not convincing enough.
After holding Barcelona's offer in his hand for two days, Piqué finally found him today.
"Boss, can I talk to you after training?" On the side of the training ground, taking advantage of a break in training, he walked to Tang En's side and whispered.
Tang En, who was discussing plans for the new season with the other coaches, glanced at everyone. He then turned around and smiled at Piqué. "That's strange. You never take the initiative to chat with me."
Piqué was a little embarrassed. He scratched his head and said, "The first time is good enough. There will be a second time in the future …"
When Tang En heard him say this, he laughed but did not say anything. He just nodded.
※ ※ ※
At the same time, in another crowd.
"I bet that kid Herad is leaving." The person who said this was another Zhong Pepe.
Everyone was amazed. What surprised them was not the fact that Piqué was leaving, but that these words actually came out of his center back partner's mouth. Shouldn't they have a lot of feelings for each other? Shouldn't they be reluctant for their partner to leave?
Pepe found everyone looking at him and knew what these people were thinking. His seemingly simple and honest face smiled. "What? I'm not the one who wants him to leave. "
"I don't think there's any reason to leave. It's pretty good here. Why must he leave?" As a member of the rear defensive line, Bale naturally hoped that everyone would still be together next season. Stability was the first requirement for the rear defensive line.
"Little Monkey, he's from Barcelona. Now Barcelona is calling for him. Do you think he can withstand it? "Pepe could see it clearly.
"I still can't understand …" Bale murmured.
"Some people are more fanatical about money …" At this point, Pepe glanced at Ribéry, who was sitting outside the crowd. "Some people are more concerned about their reputation; some people are very loyal; some people dream of playing for their hometown team … It's actually quite normal." These words made everyone look at Pepe differently, as if he were a profound philosopher.
"If he must leave, no one can stop him. I think the boss probably knows this too … "
Pepe stopped talking because Piqué had finished his conversation with Tang En and was walking over.
Sitting outside, Ribéry looked at the approaching Piqué and fell into deep thought.
※ ※ ※
Seeing that Piqué had left, the coaches gathered around again.
"It must be because of Barcelona, right?" someone asked.
"Definitely." Tang En shrugged. "We beat them twice on the field. Now they finally have a chance to get back a goal …"
Everyone looked at Piqué's back and did not know what to say for a moment.
※ ※ ※
After the training ended, everyone showered and changed in the locker room and went back. Piqué knocked on the door of Tang En's office.
Tang En sat alone in front of the computer playing Minesweeper, bored. Seeing Piqué push the door open and enter, he stood up and casually closed the game.
"I know why you're looking for me." Although he stood up, he did not step out to greet him. He just pointed to the sofa next to him and motioned for Piqué to sit by himself.
"The matter with Barcelona has made you …" He wanted to say "very distressed," but he felt that it was not right when the words reached his mouth. Things were not so simple. Because Tang En did not know whether or not he had "distressed" Piqué. So, he coughed. "What do you think?"
"I …" Piqué was silent for a moment before he finally made up his mind. He raised his head and said, "I don't want to lie to the boss. Barcelona's invitation is very attractive to me."
"More attractive than staying at Nottingham Forest and continuing to win the championship?" Tang En asked.
Piqué was silent again. He knew the temper of this team's manager. Lying would not do. Speaking the truth … He did not know if the boss would be angrier if he stopped?
In the end, he still decided to speak the truth. After all, the boss might only be angry if he spoke the truth, but he would definitely be angry if he lied. As for why he knew Piqué was lying, the media had already exposed the truth. Damn the media!
"Tell the truth, Chief. It's hard for me to reject Barcelona's invitation. "
Tang En nodded. That was what the media said too. Piqué still had a lot of affection for Barcelona. After he made a name for himself in the Forest team, there was news that Real Madrid wanted to buy him. At that time, he expressed his loyalty to the team. He said, "I won't leave Nottingham Forest. I'm fine here." Finally, when the media tirelessly asked him hypothetically, he said, "If I have to go, I'll only go back to Barcelona."
Now, his words had come true.
"Go on." Seeing that Piqué was silent after saying this, Tang En could only signal him to continue. "Tell me what you think. I'm not unreasonable."
So, Piqué said it. The gist of it was that he was groomed by La Masia. Although Barcelona did not give him a chance back then, he was forced to go to England. But his heart would always belong to Catalonia. As long as Barcelona needed him, he would abandon everything, cross thousands of mountains and rivers, go through fire and water, and risk his life. Well, although he did not say that, Tang En felt that was what he actually meant. Besides, he had already taken all the personal honors he deserved. He was still young, and he wanted to be in Barcelona to face new challenges. In addition, the pressure on his family was also great. His family were loyal Barcelona fans. His grandfather was once the Barcelona club's vice president. How could he not be loyal? His family wanted Piqué to return to his hometown.
"That is to say … your dream is to play for Barcelona and play there until you retire?" Tang En asked.
"If it's possible, it's like this."
Tang En sighed. "In that case, I've helped Barcelona spend a lot of effort to cultivate an outstanding center back and solve the problem in their rear defensive line at a critical moment?"
Piqué did not know what to say. He felt that the boss was angry.
Of course, Tang En would be angry. The player he had painstakingly cultivated had been "summoned by the master" just because his old boss said "they needed to strengthen the rear defense." He would not be an ordinary person if he did not have some anger. He was not generous enough to wave his hand and say, "Brother Piqué, please be free to pursue your dreams."
"I don't want you to go, Gerard. You're very important in our team. You and Pepe have a very good partnership. Do you know what defense means to me? "
"Champion, boss." Boss. "Piqué reacted quickly.
"So, I hope you can stay here." Tang En sat in the boss's chair, his hands covering his lower abdomen, and crossed his legs.
Piqué was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "Boss, this is difficult."
He did not wait for Tang En's storm. Tang En just looked at him in silence.
In fact, Tang En knew in his heart that Piqué would definitely not stay. Piqué and Ribéry were completely different. Ribéry purely pursued money, a goal that was easy to achieve. Piqué, on the other hand, pursued something that was ten million times more illusory than money — loyalty. It was not loyalty to Nottingham Forest, but loyalty to Barcelona.
He had come from La Masia. He had received training at La Masia since he was young. His family had been Barcelona's most loyal fans for several generations. He had received this kind of education since he could remember: Barcelona was the best club in the world, and Barcelona was the only team he loved to follow. To be able to play for such a great team was a supreme honor. Even if he could not win a championship, he would not have any complaints. Even if Barcelona were to be relegated one day and on the verge of bankruptcy, he would not change his love for this team.
This was the part that gave Tang En the biggest headache. To deal with Ribéry, he could use both carrot and stick, increase his salary and treatment, and then use a sense of honor and loyalty to summon him. To deal with Piqué, these were completely useless. His loyalty was dedicated to Barcelona. For this, he could even accept a reduction in his annual salary. In another place, people would say that he was being cheap. But in the world of football, this was loyalty that could illuminate the sun and the moon!
Tang En frowned. It was true that he did not want to let Piqué go. It was not that the team could not do without Piqué. The status of the La Masia kid and Ribéry was still different. The reason was actually like this: Which manager did not want to have more and more amazing players under their hands, not fewer?
To be honest, there was currently one person within the team who could replace Piqué. Belgium's star of hope, Vincent Kompany. But to let Piqué go just like that, Tang En felt a little pained.
After thinking for a long time, Tang En chose to accept his fate. He had tried to persuade him to stay. This was what it meant to do one's best and leave it to fate. Some things could not be done just by saying hard work. In Piqué's case, "fate" clearly overpowered "human nature." It was an overwhelming advantage.
Tang En finally nodded. His nod was extremely slow and light. "Alright, I understand what you're thinking. I don't think it's appropriate to force you to stay. I also don't want to destroy the relationship between me and you. So … that's it. "He spread his hands helplessly.
Piqué did not smile. He straightened his back, sat on the soft sofa, and said to Tang En, "Boss, I like you and my teammates. I also like this team and those fans. And although I'm a person who walked out of La Masia, I also know that without you and Nottingham Forest, there would never be the Gerard Piqué of today. "
Tang En was confused by his baffling words. He stood there in a daze, not knowing what was going on. Could it be that Piqué had suddenly "found his conscience" and changed his mind and did not want to leave? What was going on?
"I know the club's financial situation is not good now. In fact, I like playing here, Boss. I don't know why, but I feel very relaxed. I want to give you a parting gift. You won't reject it, right? "
Tang En opened his mouth wide. He was getting more and more confused.
"With my cooperation, Barcelona may need to raise the offer again." At this point, Piqué finally smiled. But his smile was a little sneaky and a little embarrassed.
Tang En did not smile. He stared straight at the center back in front of him, who would soon no longer be his subordinate and could no longer call him "Boss."
※ ※ ※
A day later, Nottingham Forest officially responded to Barcelona's 10 million bid — they had rejected it!
Tang En angrily expressed in an interview, "We've won two Champions League titles and one English Premier League title. Our team's absolute main force and core defender is only worth 10 million? I don't believe Barcelona can't show enough sincerity. "Everyone in the circle knew that Tang En was used to calling" money "" sincerity. " "You know, they've already spent almost 100 million euros this summer." In fact, it was still a little far from 100 million. So far, Barcelona had spent 73 million euros.
Then, it was unknown how Piqué got his agent to tell Barcelona. In fact, the general meaning could be guessed — Piqué wanted to return to Barcelona. That was for sure! But! Nottingham Forest would definitely not let go of their main center back so easily. Moreover, who was Tony Twain? There was no one in the European football world who did not know him. It was simply not enough to describe him even if all the negative words created by mankind were used. And from a more rational analysis, how was it that they were reluctant to let go of their main center back? It was clearly Nottingham Forest that thought the money was too little. Didn't they hear that they were now building a new stadium? That stadium, which was said to be able to accommodate 60,000 people, must cost a lot of money.
Barcelona's second offer came very quickly. 16 million pounds! That was about 20 million euros!
To offer such a price for a center back, in addition to Piqué being a center back who had proven his ability, his identity as a Catalan was also an important reason. Guardiola was an authentic Barcelona product. He cared more about maintaining the purity of Barcelona's bloodline than his predecessor, Rijkaard. Therefore, he purged a large number of meritorious officials from the previous dynasty. One of the reasons was that he believed that as long as they were not real Catalan Barcelona people, they could not really give a hundred percent of their effort and loyalty to the team. This group of people was actually unreliable. Look at what Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto 'o had done in the past two seasons.
Nottingham Forest did not care what Guardiola thought. Anyway, the price made them feel very good, so they nodded and agreed.
In this way, the teenager, Gerard Piqué, who was abducted from La Masia by Tony Twain, went through hardships and finally made a name for himself. When he was tired, he wanted to return to his roots, so he returned to his original hometown, Barcelona. How was it? Very touching, right?
What a clichéd adventure and inspirational story.
There was no ceremony when they said goodbye. The entire Nottingham Forest team was training at Wilford. For these professional players, it was as simple as one person leaving. Such a scene would be repeated every summer. At first, some people would feel sad. Now, after the experience of professional football, they were used to it.
Piqué packed up the little things he had placed in his locker in the locker room and came to the training ground to say goodbye to Twain.
"I didn't expect you to come specially …" Twain was a little surprised.
"I just wanted to see it again, boss." Piqué stood beside him and looked at the green training ground. His former teammates were training seriously on it. Assistant manager David Kerslake's ever-energetic voice kept ringing, reminding these people not to be lazy.
"When I came here from La Masia, I never thought this day would come. I thought I wouldn't have that kind of feeling for a second training ground other than La Masia and Barcelona. Thank you, boss. "
"I'm not your coach anymore. The next time we meet, we'll be enemies. The people here are all … "Twain pointed to the training ground. "You know, Nottingham Forest has always been to its enemies …"
"You're welcome." Piqué helped him finish the sentence.
"It's good that you know."
"Then I'm leaving, boss."
Twain turned to look at him. He opened his mouth and said, "I mean, if, if, if, maybe … If, if, if, maybe, you can't stay in Barcelona, you can come here."
"I'll be too old to play football then."
"Didn't you hear what they said outside? 'Nottingham Forest is a nursing home!' "Twain laughed.
"I'm a Catalan."
"This fact really bothers me."
"If I'm not a Catalan, I'll retire at the Forest team. Boss. "
"There are no ifs in reality …" The reality made him feel helpless. Demetrio had said similar words to him in the same tone.
"Goodbye, Gerard. Good luck." He turned his face away and continued to look at the field.
"Goodbye, boss." Piqué turned and strode away from the sunny Wilford. His agent was already waiting for him in the parking lot. They would go straight from here to Heathrow Airport and then fly back to their hometown.
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