Chapter 327: Lin Quan Intervenes, Easily Resolved! Van Dijk Goes for 10 Million Euros!
"Hi, Lin, did you enjoy your holiday?"
"Thank God, Lin, you're finally back!"
"I knew you wouldn't leave Manchester City. All those reporters outside are just stirring things up!"
Lin Quan had just returned to Manchester City, and along the way, from the security guards to the club staff, everyone enthusiastically greeted him upon seeing him. However, their relieved demeanor made Lin Quan feel a bit puzzled; hadn't he made it clear a long time ago that he would not leave Manchester City? Why were they still so nervous?
He didn't waste time speculating but went straight to Pellegrini's office to gather information. Pellegrini, upon seeing Lin Quan, sighed in relief as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart. As long as Lin Quan was not leaving, everything else was minor.
"It's actually not a big deal. Some top clubs are interested in some of our players and want to poach them!" Pellegrini then briefed him on the situation with Kroos, De Bruyne, and others being targeted.
"Kroos going to Real Madrid?" Lin Quan was a bit surprised to hear about the transfer rumors surrounding Kroos. Kroos had been with Manchester City for only half a year and had both earned a high salary and received various honors during that time. It was baffling why he would want to leave. Was the allure of Real Madrid really that strong?
"This isn't confirmed yet, but some paparazzi caught the Real Madrid president meeting privately with Kroos's agent."
"And there were rumors before that Real Madrid is very interested in Dortmund's star Royce..."
"Royce won't leave Dortmund!" Lin Quan dismissed Pellegrini's speculation, knowing Royce well enough to say that he wouldn't abandon Dortmund like Götze and Lewandowski did when the team needed him most.
"I'll give Kroos a call and ask!" Seeing Lin Quan so sure, Pellegrini's expression turned serious. Although he felt that Kroos leaving Manchester City was unlikely, he couldn't rule out the possibility. It was essential to clarify the situation immediately. Otherwise, by the time the new season started, if their midfield star suddenly announced a transfer, Manchester City would not have the chance to find a replacement.
When Pellegrini's call came, Kroos was hesitating about whether to go to Real Madrid. After seeing Pellegrini's call, Kroos hesitated for a few seconds but eventually decided to answer.
"Coach, is there something you need?"
"Yes, Lin is back with the team. When are you coming back?" Pellegrini did not directly ask if Kroos had been in contact with Real Madrid. Such a question was too direct, and Kroos might not admit it, which could backfire.
"Lin is back?"
Kroos brightened up upon hearing Pellegrini's words. His hesitation was due to Walker bringing back insider news that Real Madrid was preparing to spend a significant sum to bring Lin Quan to Bernabéu! A big part of why Kroos stayed at Manchester City was because of Lin Quan; with Lin Quan there, Manchester City's performance was guaranteed. But if Lin Quan left, there was no point in him staying.
"Yes, he has ended his vacation and is back to prepare for preseason training!"
After receiving a firm response from Pellegrini, Kroos immediately stated, "I'll pack up my stuff and leave tomorrow!"
After hanging up the phone, Pellegrini breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, Kroos going to Real Madrid was just a rumor; if he really wanted to go to Real Madrid, he wouldn't have been so easily persuaded. However, upon further reflection, this situation might have been true. Perhaps Lin Quan's early return to the team reassured him, just like the indescribable feeling of relief Pellegrini had felt when he saw Lin Quan at the club.
...
After learning of Lin Quan's return, more than just Kroos changed their minds. Demichelis, planning to retire in Argentina, agreed to renew his contract with the club for another year after being persuaded by Lin Quan. However, another main central defender, Lescott, was determined to leave Manchester City to join West Bromwich. In addition, Pantilimon was also let go by Pellegrini, joining Sunderland on a free transfer. This summer, many people left Manchester City.
But many new people arrived too!
During the preseason training, a tall young player appeared at Manchester City's training ground. Assistant coach Brian brought the player to the training ground and then found head coach Pellegrini, saying:
"Coach, the player is here, should we let him try out?"
Pellegrini glanced at the tall, dark-skinned young player nearby, nodded, and said, "Put him in a red vest, send him to the reserves!"
The assistant coach immediately stopped the ongoing intra-squad match and let Manchester City's own academy young defender Plumuel come off, replaced by the new defender.
"Who is this guy?"
"Don't know, must be here for a trial?"
"He looks quite strong, but with such a tall height, he probably moves slowly."
On the main team's side, several key players from the last season saw the newcomer and couldn't help but discuss it.
"Kevin, pass me a good ball later; I want to test his strength!"
Aguero was eager to personally assess the new player's abilities. After all, Manchester City was now considered a semi-top club, and they couldn't just let any Tom, Dick, or Harry into the team! If this new player was only average, it would be better to send him away early to avoid him becoming a time bomb on the defense line.
Hearing Aguero's words, De Bruyne nodded expressionlessly. However, after nodding, he instinctively looked at Lin Quan and noticed a faint, enigmatic smile on his lips.
What was he smiling about?
Lin Quan had noticed Van Dijk as soon as he appeared on the sideline. This was the future number one defender in football, a monster worth 75 million pounds! However, the current Van Dijk was still inexperienced, and his strength hadn't reached the level of his peak.
So when Aguero suggested testing the newcomer, Lin Quan did not speak up to stop it. He was also curious about Van Dijk's current level.
The match quickly resumed, and soon, De Bruyne seized the opportunity and completed a pass with Aguero. As soon as Aguero received De Bruyne's pass, the young defender who had been on the field for less than five minutes appeared in front of him.
Hehe, the defense is eager, but I wonder about the strength!
Aguero did not hold back because the opponent was a newbie. After receiving the pass from his teammate, he used his explosive power to accelerate, seemingly planning to overpower Van Dijk.
However, this move quickly failed.
Van Dijk retreated in time, maintaining a reasonable distance and using precise positioning to prevent Aguero from overtaking him.
When one tactic failed, Aguero quickly thought of another.
He used his signature move of stopping and starting quickly, using rhythm changes to gain space for a breakthrough.
But this tactic also failed. Van Dijk kept retreating and did not make a move.
Damn, why don't you challenge me? I've already taken the ball into the penalty area; aren't you afraid I'll shoot?
In the end, Aguero had to rush to shoot before Van Dijk's teammates could press him.
Van Dijk's blocking area was large, and without a good shooting angle, the result of Aguero's shot was predictable.
After the shot, Aguero glanced at the tall guy across from him.
He had never seen such a strange defender, who just knew how to retreat and not challenge!
And this defensive strategy made Aguero very uncomfortable.
It was like having a martial art skill but being unable to use it, which was extremely frustrating.
After blocking Aguero, Van Dijk also couldn't help but wipe off some cold sweat.
The opponent's footwork was too fast, and his explosive power was strong; he almost couldn't keep up with the rhythm.
If it wasn't for the opponent receiving the ball close to the penalty area, without much space to accelerate, Van Dijk might not have been able to defend him!
Is this the strength of a Manchester City main player?
It seems indeed stronger than his teammates at Celtic!
Pellegrini initially wasn't very optimistic about Van Dijk's abilities. The reserve team's strength was limited, and he had no rapport with his teammates.
Expecting him to single-handedly defend Aguero was an impossible task.
But after watching their first confrontation, Pellegrini's opinion changed.
"His football IQ is high, knows his strengths and weaknesses, so doesn't easily make a move!"
"The retreating defense strategy can effectively suppress the attacker's space, reducing the opponent's threat and even affecting their mentality?"
Pellegrini didn't quickly conclude but decided to continue observing.
It was just one confrontation; maybe it was just the kid's luck?
Aguero was also somewhat unconvinced, and in the following time, he tried a few more times.
After these few encounters, he lost more than he won, even in situations that were unanimously considered his weak point, like the ball behind him, he didn't gain any advantage.
Van Dijk's turning speed was indeed not fast, but his positioning ability and physical confrontation were very strong.
The ball might get past, but the person had to stay.
Aguero tried several times but couldn't succeed!
"The guy is quite tricky, not easy to deal with!"
In the end, Aguero had to admit that he had lost.
Although he felt his current state had not returned to its best, Aguero thought that even if he were at his peak, succeeding against this guy five times out of ten would not be easy!
"That strong? Did you overdo it during the off-season, and now you're physically weak?"
His teammates cast doubtful glances at Aguero, feeling that his poor form had led to his defeat against the opponent.
After all, an unknown young defender managing to single-handedly defend against a Champions League champion's main forward?
Such a thing was rare in both the Champions League and league play!
If the opponent really had such strong abilities, they wouldn't have never heard his name.
"Damn, I'm telling the truth; if you don't believe it, try it yourselves!"
Aguero said angrily.
His teammates were skeptical of his words, so they stepped forward to test it out themselves.
The result, naturally, spoke for itself. Among those who actively challenged Van Dijk, the successful ones were few, and the failures were the vast majority.
"He's really tough to deal with!"
"I've never seen this kind of defensive method!"
The main players marveled, the opponent's defensive style was indeed strange.
"This guy's defense method, if he encounters a player with strong dribbling skills, fast footwork, and strong explosive power, then it won't work!"
At this point, everyone's gaze turned to Lin Quan.
Didn't he perfectly meet these criteria?
Lin Quan had been watching from the sidelines for a long time, carefully observing Van Dijk's defensive strategy.
The opponent's defensive method wasn't much different from his peak, but the experience gap was clear.
Facing a peak Van Dijk, Lin Quan's chances weren't great, maybe successful five or six times out of ten.
But facing Van Dijk at this time, he felt his chances were very good.
So, in the next attack, Lin Quan faced Van Dijk.
Based on his recent performance, Van Dijk had successfully caught the attention of Manchester City's coaching staff.
Including Pellegrini, everyone was very surprised by this newcomer's strength.
That so many main players couldn't gain an advantage over him was enough to prove his ability.
At this time, seeing the team's top star up against this newcomer, everyone perked up, unable to help but look forward to it.
Could this newcomer defend against Lin Quan?
Seeing Lin Quan take the field, Van Dijk's pupils constricted, and his alertness reached its peak.
As one of the most famous players on this planet, everyone in football knew Lin Quan!
And among defenders, his fame was even higher!
Because in the world of defenders, everyone agreed that Lin Quan was the most difficult player to defend on the planet!
Originally, this position was Messi's, but after Messi's injury and decrease in explosive power, Lin Quan took his place.
Van Dijk had naturally heard of Lin Quan's great fame and had even fantasized about successfully freezing him on the field and making a name for himself in one game!
However, when Lin Quan really appeared in front of him, he couldn't help but feel nervous.
Could he really defend against him?
Five minutes later, Van Dijk slumped to the ground, panting heavily, his gaze fixed on the scoreboard along the sidelines.
The scoreboard had already changed to 3:0.
Lin Quan had scored three goals in just five minutes, all of which were breakthroughs from his position.
Unstoppable, simply unstoppable!
Reflecting on their recent encounters, Van Dijk's face was bitter.
The opponent's footwork was too fast, his dribbling ability was extremely terrifying, and he was very skilled at using feints and rhythm changes to dribble past players.
Van Dijk's retreating defense not only failed to be effective in front of him, but it also became a cover for the opponent to charge into the penalty area and then score.
Normally, the further the ball carrier is from the defender, the greater the threat, but with Lin Quan, the situation was completely reversed.
Van Dijk felt that the closer the opponent was to him, the harder he was to defend!
Seeing Van Dijk's dejected look, Lin Quan walked over, helped him up, and encouraged him:
"You played well, keep it up!"
With Lin Quan's encouragement, the clouds in Van Dijk's heart were instantly cleared.
He was still an unknown figure, but the opponent was already a world-famous talented player.
Receiving recognition from him was a huge encouragement for Van Dijk!
"Yes, I'll keep working hard!"
...
Although Van Dijk was unquestionably defeated in his match-up with Lin Quan, Manchester City's coaching staff's evaluation of him did not decrease but increased.
After all, in the eyes of Manchester City's coaching staff, there was no one in the world who could single-handedly defend Lin Quan yet!
If Van Dijk could do that, he wouldn't be playing in a league like the Scottish Premiership; he would probably have been poached by top clubs like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich long ago!
"What do you think, should we buy him?"
Brian asked tentatively.
Pellegrini nodded; the opponent was only 23 years old and already had such strength.
Keeping him and focusing on his development, once he matured, Manchester City's defense line wouldn't have to worry about having no one available for at least ten years!
"Okay, let's make an offer to Celtic, by the way, how much are they asking?"
"It shouldn't be very high, under 10 million euros, we should be able to handle it!"
Van Dijk had only transferred to Celtic last year, and the transfer price at that time was only 3 million euros.
If Manchester City offered 10 million, Celtic would naturally be happy to make a profit.
"Then let's offer 10 million, resolve this quickly to avoid complications!"
(End of Chapter)