Mazu wasn't torn over which club was the best choice for Zhang Xu; in his view, the club with the highest offer would be the one to accept. His dilemma was about how the team's recently solidified midfield formation would need readjustment once Zhang Xu left. Having gotten used to deploying Zhang Xu as the central midfielder in recent games, Mazu found the player's contribution surprisingly effective.
If Zhang Xu were to leave now, the team would have to revert to their old ways, undoubtedly less effective without him. Fortunately, defensive midfielder Baptiste was finally back from injury, which could somewhat fill the gap left by Zhang Xu and slightly improved Mazu's mood.
With the team now ranked fifth, Mazu had good reason to believe that if Zhang Xu stayed until the end of the season, White Star's promotion to the first division, and even a league championship, was not just a dream.
However, at this critical juncture, the poachers arrived.
Woluvi White Star was a small and somewhat amateur club. Given their status, it was certain they couldn't retain their star player, especially with Sheffield United, their affiliated club, relentlessly pursuing Zhang Xu.
Okay, if they couldn't retain the player, they should at least seek to benefit maximally from Zhang Xu's departure! With this realization, Mazu recognized that signing a free agent in the summer and potentially earning at least 400,000 Euros by winter was an incredibly lucrative deal. This amount could support the club for an entire season!
Mazu had to thank Zhang Xu, who not only brought financial benefits but also numerous victories to the club. With this thought, Mazu felt much better.
Having made up his mind, Mazu could also relax.
After the match against Ruselare, the winter break began, and the team was officially on holiday! The break wasn't long, only about twenty days, but still better than the Premier League, which had no winter break at all.
Having been abroad for a year and a half, Zhang Xu had no plans to return home. If he hadn't promised his parents, he would have continued his career abroad for another year before returning.
Now, he was packing at home, preparing to fly directly to Beijing with Nicole the next day, then to Xiangzhong City, and finally take a bus back to his home in Xiangbei City.
At this moment, Zhang Xu, unaware that he was the coveted prize of various clubs, was happily packing and humming tunes, excited and thrilled about going home.
"Hey, Nicole, are you ready? We'll meet tomorrow at Brussels International Airport, okay?" After packing, Zhang Xu sat down and called Nicole.
"Okay, I'll be there at 10 a.m. sharp! You have to wait for me!" Nicole's voice came through the phone, a bit coquettish.
Recently, due to her busy academic schedule, Nicole had less time to visit Belgium and mostly kept in touch with Zhang Xu over the phone.
To Zhang Xu's surprise, the usually reserved Nicole was quite open over the phone, using coquettishness, teasing, and sending love-filled images, which amused and tantalized Zhang Xu.
His contact with Yang Zi, on the other hand, was more sporadic and neither particularly close nor distant. Hearing she was busy filming a drama, Zhang Xu understood.
"Of course, I'll wait for you, or else my parents might kick me out of the house, right?" Hearing Nicole's coquettish voice, Zhang Xu's mind wandered to her alluring red lips and figure, feeling a surge of excitement. He quickly calmed his emotions and replied with a bit of teasing.
"Hehe..." Nicole's laughter tinkled through the phone.
After arranging to meet with Nicole, Zhang Xu suddenly realized he had nothing else to do. So, he opened his personal attribute panel:
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Name: Zhang Xu
Level: 22
Experience: 1053/9000 (Allocatable attribute points: 0)
Weight: 69.9KG
Height: 181.7cm
Current Ability/Potential: 51/64 (Professional player range: 30 to 99)
Current Fatigue/Condition: 28/88 (Maximum is 99)
__________________________________
Technical attributes (maximum for each is 99):
Crossing: 32
Dribbling: 33
Shooting: 33
Heading: 52
Long Shots: 32
Marking: 54
Passing: 38
Tackling: 51
First Touch: 38
Technique: 44
Penalties: 32
Corners: 25
Set Pieces: 31
Throw-ins: 31
__________________________________
Mental attributes:
Aggression: 44
Anticipation: 51
Bravery: 81
Composure: 71
Concentration: 61
Vision: 44
Decisions: 42
Determination: 83
Flair: 37
Influence: 71
Off-the-Ball: 42
Positioning: 52
Teamwork: 53
Work Rate: 94
__________________________________
Physical attributes:
Acceleration: 82
Agility: 47
Balance: 52
Jumping: 78
Strength: 88
Speed: 92
Stamina: 89
Strength: 88
__________________________________
From the data, Zhang Xu had clearly shed the traces of a novice. Whether it was defensive midfield stats or others, he had fully mastered his role.
He could proudly say to himself: I am a professional football player!
Of course, he still had a long way to go to become a star, but Zhang Xu believed he would get there in the near future.
Looking at his almost doubled stats, Zhang Xu felt a surge of pride and arrogance. Though the system helped, his improvements mainly came from daily intense training!
All of White Star's teammates and fans knew one thing for sure: If anyone in White Star trained the hardest, it was undoubtedly Zhang Xu, the training fanatic!
"Ding Dong! Ding Dong!" After dinner, while Zhang Xu was watching TV with the James couple, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Who could it be at this time? Maybe it's Rossi from next door, hearing Zhang is going home and coming over to chat?" James muttered curiously, then stood up and opened the door.
"Ah! Mr. Philip?!" James exclaimed in surprise, "Please come in, come in! What a rare visitor! Hey, Zhang, look who's here? It's Mr. Philip, the team's assistant coach!"
"Mr. Philip, hello!" Zhang Xu stood up and greeted him respectfully. He always showed deep respect for Mr. Philip, grateful for the kindness and teachings he had received from him.
"Haha, James, sorry for bothering you so late. I have something to discuss with Zhang, if you don't mind?" Philip smiled at Zhang Xu and then spoke to James.
"Don't mention it, feel free to talk. I have a study room here; you and Zhang can talk there!" James opened the study room door, gesturing for Philip and Zhang Xu to go inside.
"No need, no need!" Philip waved his hand, "Don't bother, Zhang, would you like to accompany this old man for a walk?"
"Of course!" Realizing Philip might have something important to discuss, Zhang Xu readily agreed.
James watched Philip and Zhang Xu walk away, sighing to his wife, "Looks like our dear Zhang won't be staying with us much longer. Sigh!"
...
The winter streets were desolate with few pedestrians. The evening temperature was low, the cold wind whistling, blowing the fallen leaves around.
Philip tightened his thick coat and shivered, "Damn this weather, so cold! Zhang, planning to go back home, right?"
"Yes, sir. I haven't been home for almost a year and a half, and my parents are very concerned, so I plan to use the winter break to visit." Zhang Xu didn't feel cold. To protect Philip from the chill, he deliberately stood upwind, using his sturdy body to block the cold.
"Go home then, but before you go, there's something you need to think about. It would be best if you could give me a definitive answer over the phone after Christmas."
"What is it?" Zhang Xu looked at Philip, puzzled.
"You might not be aware, but due to your outstanding performance in the league, you've attracted the attention and interest of several clubs. They've started making offers these past few days." Philip watched Zhang Xu's reaction as he spoke.
"Which clubs?" Zhang Xu was somewhat prepared, so his expression remained unchanged.
Philip sighed, realizing Zhang Xu also knew he couldn't stay at White Star for long, "Many, such as Sheffield United, which has been interested in you, Crystal Palace from the Championship, Frankfurt from Bundesliga 2..." Philip listed several clubs.
Zhang Xu thought for a moment before replying, "I don't care about the offers; what matters to me are the terms they're offering!"
Just as expected! Philip inwardly praised Zhang Xu's calm demeanor. He had anticipated that Zhang Xu, with his intelligence, wouldn't be interested in the offers but rather the terms of joining the teams.
"Some of the clubs' specific terms I'm aware of, but others I'm not so sure. So, this needs a serious discussion with each club. However, you don't have an agent, and you're planning to go back home. In that case, if you trust me, you can entrust me to negotiate with the relevant clubs."
"I trust you! Mr. Philip, if not for you, I wouldn't be where I am today. Please handle it as you see fit." Zhang Xu trusted Mr. Philip's character.
"Alright, then, I'll propose my personal opinion, and you see if it's feasible." Philip paused, then continued after seeing Zhang Xu nod: "I've carefully observed your various situations in the team, and I've noticed something quite unique about you: official matches, especially key matches and big competitions, significantly enhance your abilities. Almost after every game, you show noticeable improvement, while training doesn't have as pronounced an effect."
Zhang Xu was startled inside, wondering if Mr. Philip had noticed something?