Chapter 109: Without You, Tang Might Expose His Most Fatal Flaw

On the 24th, Villarreal players traveled to the away ground for a friendly match against Real Sociedad; Tang Ye, Ale, and Rodri, having only recently joined the Villarreal first team, were not included in Escrivá's match squad.

This was the club's adaptation period for the players; before the match even began, Tang Ye, accompanied by a rental agent, arrived at a residential compound in the city of Villarreal.

"Mr., I believe this apartment is quite suitable for you; the monthly rent is only 8,000 euros, and most importantly, the environment here is excellent—for an athlete fatigued during the competition period, this apartment is simply perfect!"

The agent praised the house profusely, but Tang Ye was merely distracted.

The environment was good, and the interior space was large.

The only problem was that the location of this apartment was already very far from the city center.

The city of Villarreal itself was not large, yet even so, the drive from the training base to this apartment took twenty minutes!

After chatting with the agent for over ten minutes, Tang Ye indeed had no interest, so he made an excuse and returned directly to the base.

In the first-team lounge, Ale and Rodri lay on the sofa, while the large screen before them broadcast the friendly match between Real Sociedad and Villarreal.

The match was currently in the 34th minute, with the Yellow Submarine leading by one goal!

"Tang, we haven't seen you all afternoon!"

Rodri was eating vegetable avocado from a bowl; this was his afternoon snack.

"I went to look at houses."

Tang Ye retrieved a bottle of Coca-Cola from the refrigerator and sat down on the sofa.

"Right, you still need to rent a place to live outside."

"Well, actually, I don't really want to live outside either; who would have thought Villarreal has no youth academy dormitories?"

Tang Ye bit open the glass bottle directly with his teeth: "Wow, I feel the Spanish cola has slightly less fizz."

"Haha, when you were in Utrecht, didn't you live in the youth academy dorms?"

Rodri placed his bowl on the table and widened his eyes.

"You've only just met him; you can never imagine the kinds of things he might do."

Before Tang Ye could speak, Ale answered for him first.

"Hey, Sebastian, don't you think living in the dorms is very convenient?"

After gulping down a large mouthful of cola, Tang Ye now felt his entire stomach was ice-cold: "You wake up and can eat immediately, the training ground is right next to the canteen—damn, it's simply too convenient."

Tang Ye had never had high requirements for accommodation; since he was alone, to him, a house of several hundred square meters was not even as comfortable as a small dorm room.

An entire floor inhabited by one's own teammates was not only lively but also provided a sense of security!

"Do you like convenience? Then you can live with me; I reside in that apartment right beside the base. Come on, Tang, come over here quickly."

Rodri stood up from the sofa, and then he and Tang Ye leaned over the lounge window, pointing at a tall building opposite: "See that building? That's the apartment; the rent is 3,500 euros a month."

"However, for a player of your caliber, it might seem a bit beneath you."

Rodri said with an awkward laugh.

He had lived in that building ever since his time with the Villarreal U19s; besides him, quite a few other Villarreal U19 and B-team players also lived there.

Proximity was a good thing, but for a player like Tang Ye, whom the team had rented for several million euros, it indeed seemed a bit insufficient.

With a monthly rent of 3,500 euros, Tang Ye's weekly salary alone was 18,000 euros!

"But it is indeed close; take the elevator out the door, then walk to the base—the whole journey takes only five minutes."

"Perfect, simply perfect!"

Both of Tang Ye's eyes were shining.

Damn, this place was simply too perfect!

"Are you sure?"

Tang Ye's reaction surprised Rodri somewhat: "The house is a bit small."

"I'm only one person."

"That's true; in that case, you can live opposite me. Coincidentally, the brother opposite me moved out last week; he transferred to Atlético Madrid B."

Just as Rodri finished speaking, Ale on the sofa suddenly shouted.

"No!"

What was happening?

Turning to look at the TV screen, a Real Sociedad defender had equalized the score with a long-range shot.

"That was shot so accurately."

Tang Ye returned to sit on the sofa, and Rodri simply sat directly in the spot beside him: "So, is the intensity of the Eredivisie very different compared to La Liga?"

"Indeed, I've watched La Liga matches before; Real Madrid versus Atlético Madrid!"

"Uh, Tang, isn't the one you're talking about the Champions League?"

"It's all the same, all the same."

Tang Ye waved his hand: "Anyway, the pace of La Liga matches is just a bit faster."

"Then do you feel you'll be able to get on the field?"

Rodri smiled, asking Tang Ye a rather serious question.

"This..."

Tang Ye didn't know how to respond; Ale gave a thumbs-up: "You'll definitely get on the field!"

"Really?"

Tang Ye laughed; before the loan, Escrivá had explicitly stated during their phone conversation that he could not guarantee Tang Ye sufficient playing opportunities.

"It's definitely true, Tang; you don't need to worry."

Rodri placed his hand on Tang Ye's shoulder: "We are very short on midfielders this season; do you know why I was promoted from the B team?"

"Because you play well."

"Uh... that's only one aspect."

Rodri explained, "We have several midfielders whose contracts have expired and weren't renewed, and the rest cannot meet Mr. Ferran's requirements, which is why I came up."

"Tang, you are a pure attacking midfielder who can also take set pieces; players of this type are very rare."

"No, no, no."

Tang Ye waved his right index finger in front of Rodri: "Don't underestimate my defense; actually, I know how to tackle. Do you know what a tackle is? It's the kind that knocks people to the ground. I'm very good at it."

?

"But, but Mr. Ferran said you are an attacking midfielder, an offensive playmaker."

"He is a possession-style midfielder."

Aleix answered first.

Tang Ye turned his head, an indescribable emotion visible in his expression.

As expected, Sebastian, you're the one who understands me!

……

Meanwhile, on the evening of July 30, Manchester United defeated the Turkish Super Lig team Galatasaray 5–2 at Old Trafford.

As the team's new manager, Erik ten Hag accepted an interview with reporters.

British football journalists are very adept at seizing hot topics; they first asked Ten Hag about transfers during this summer window.

"Manchester United originally intended to buy Pogba from Juventus for over 100 million euros, but you halted this deal, Erik. May I ask if you had other considerations?"

Ten Hag's expression remained calm.

Why not Pogba?

Very simple!

"Because I believe Pogba is not part of my plans, so I did not let the club proceed with this transaction."

"I am very grateful to the club's senior management for granting me a generous transfer budget, but I prefer to conduct transfers only when there is certainty."

After winning the Eredivisie title, Ten Hag's entire demeanor had undergone a sublimation.

Manchester United is currently in the weakening phase following the end of the Ferguson era; they need a savior to help the team!

Manchester United fans view Ten Hag as their savior!

"Okay, could you also answer some questions regarding Tang?"

"Utrecht originally planned to sell Tang to Villarreal for around 20 million euros, but you turned this transfer into a loan. May I ask the reason for your doing so?"

The reporter held the microphone up to Ten Hag's mouth.

"I have feelings for Utrecht. Tang's playing style is quite special; he holds a different significance for Utrecht."

Ten Hag's meaning was already very clear.

His idea was for Tang Ye to play one season at Villarreal before returning to Utrecht.

Because Manchester United spent the money, Ten Hag could not become Utrecht's savior.

But he could help his former club before leaving!

"So, does this mean Tang cannot adapt to matches at the La Liga level?"

The reporter seized the key information in Ten Hag's words: "Without your help, might Tang expose his most fatal flaw?"

"……"

Ten Hag sighed: "Setting aside tactical matters, my private relationship with Tang is very good, so I will wish him good luck."

!!!

Ten Hag did not directly respond to the question of whether Tang Ye could establish himself in La Liga, but everyone in their hearts had a rough guess.

Tang Ye's playing style completely conflicts with the entire La Liga.

The Chinese youth stubbornly pursued a spot in the top five leagues; Ten Hag wanted to save him, which is why he changed the original transfer into a loan!

Ten Hag appeared to be helping his former club, Utrecht.

In reality, he was helping his beloved disciple!

……

Tang Ye did not know that Ten Hag had mentioned him in the interview; he only knew that this morning he would begin his first official training at Yellow Submarine!

"Beep!"

Head coach Escrivá blew his whistle as he entered the pitch, followed by assistant coach Martí and fitness coach Kyle.

The players formed a somewhat irregular circle around Escrivá.

Escrivá looked left and right, finally resting his gaze on Tang Ye.

Hmm?

"I heard that you were often late during training at Utrecht, yet you arrived on time today."

"That was a long time ago."

Tang Ye explained, "By the start of the second half of the season, I was no longer late."

"Haha, good, good, that's best."

Escrivá nodded: "At least I don't have to waste time dragging you out of your house."

Tang Ye chewed his gum. Hearing Escrivá say these words, unless something unexpected happened, Ten Hag must have told him something!

"Alright, our training content today is quite complex. Kyle will lead you through the warm-up, and then we will gather again."

Beep!

Another whistle blew, but this time it was not Escrivá blowing it, but Kyle; the players began stretching on the spot.

"Hey, Tom!"

Someone on the side called out Tang Ye's name; it was the team's forward, Bakambu: "Ferran said you were often late when you were at Utrecht; is that true or false? Does the Eredivisie manage things that broadly?"

Bakambu looked somewhat surprised.

Hearing what Tang Ye had just said, he had been late for nearly half a season at Utrecht.

Under such circumstances, the head coach was still willing to let him start!

Was the Dutch league this relaxed?

"Uh, not really, there actually was a punishment."

Tang Ye explained, "When I was first promoted to the first team, I was banned from entering the first-team canteen."

"What the hell?"

!

Bacca was stunned; Trigeros, who had heard Tang Ye's answer nearby, was equally stunned.

Rodrigo, however, suddenly realized: "Tom, no wonder you can't jump high; were you unable to even get food while at Utrecht?"

"It wasn't that I couldn't eat, but that I couldn't eat in the first-team canteen."

Tang Ye wanted to explain, but everyone only wanted to hear the sensational news.

Right now, Bacca and Rodrigo's minds were filled entirely with the image of Ten Hag not letting Tang Ye eat.

They could completely imagine that scene!

Seeing Bacca still looking utterly shocked, Tang Ye pleaded his innocence: "Do you guys not believe me? I really couldn't get into the first-team canteen."

"It's not that we don't believe that. Anyway, since you're not saying more, Tang, I heard from Sergio that you're also a midfielder, right? An attacking midfielder?"

Upon mentioning the words "attacking midfielder," the expressions on Bacca and Sansone's faces noticeably turned more serious.

As strikers for the team, they knew perfectly well the importance of a midfielder to the forward line!

"Can you shake off defenders and dribble past them?"

Seeing Tang Ye remain silent, Sansone pressed further with a question.

Tang Ye shook his head.

"What about driving forward? Carrying the ball forward from the back field and then passing it to the strikers?"

Tang Ye still shook his head.

Driving forward with the ball was De Jong's specialty.

That skill demanded too much in terms of speed, stamina, and the timing of acceleration; Tang Ye simply couldn't do it.

"You can't do this either..."

Sansone was rendered speechless by Tang Ye.

Shaking off defenders and driving forward with the ball were the most basic skills for a midfielder.

Only by mastering these two points could Tang Ye find opportunities to pass to the strikers.

In other words, if Tang Ye couldn't even achieve these two things, where would the opportunities to pass to the front line come from?

"Sebastian."

Bacca turned to Haller: "Then how did you score your goals?"

"Uh..."

Haller touched his nose, finally settling on an answer he felt was appropriate: "I don't know either; anyway, the ball just ended up in the net."

Bacca didn't quite grasp Haller's meaning; he actually still wanted to ask this super striker from Utrecht for some advice.

But then he remembered that Haller's Spanish was still in the learning phase, making it impossible for him to spit out overly complex sentences in one go, so Bacca didn't dwell on it.

After the warm-up ended, training began; Escrivá's habit was the same as Ten Hag's, which was to conduct some rondo drills before starting the main training.

Pass within three touches; when controlling the ball, one must move and cannot stand still tapping the ball.

There were quite a few rules, but they were still fairly easy to understand.

As a midfielder, Tang Ye was grouped with Rodrigo, Bacca, and Sansone.

Two players pressing, eight players passing.

The sound of balls being struck—pa pa pa—and the laughter of the players filled the training ground.

Things were fine at first, but once Escrivá demanded an increased tempo later on, Tang Ye began to feel some strain.

Escrivá required the players to pass while moving as they formed a circle.

Moving laterally while simultaneously passing and observing the positions of the pressers was somewhat taxing for Tang Ye, who was participating in this kind of training for the first time.

The good news was that Tang Ye already had the habit of observing while passing, so for him, only the movement posed a challenge.

Tang Ye tried to solve his problems by passing quickly, but this immediately drew Escrivá's attention: "Tom, I'm adding one more rule for you: you must pass within two to four touches. Today we are practicing the feeling of ball control; we don't need you to rely on your strengths."

There was no choice; Tang Ye abandoned the idea of passing directly on the first touch and instead began actively seeking opportunities to control the ball.

It felt very uncomfortable to play, but Tang Ye could clearly feel himself slowly adapting to this passing system.

【Ball Control: 75 → 76】

The training effect was even better than Tang Ye had imagined; his Ball Control attribute had directly increased by one point!

"Huff, huff huff..."

The intensity was a bit high; after playing for about ten minutes, the players began to pant. Escrivá had somehow walked over to Tang Ye's side: "Are you okay?"

"Not very."

Uh.

Escrivá clearly hadn't expected Tang Ye to answer like that.

Pointing toward Group B on the pitch, who hadn't yet finished their drill: "La Liga is different from the Eredivisie; we need players to have sufficient ball control ability, and at the same time, you must learn to make runs when your teammates are passing. These are all things we need to train."

Tang Ye chewed the gum in his mouth; he said nothing.

In the past, Tang Ye never felt this kind of strain during training, yet Escrivá had made him feel this way in just a little over ten minutes.

The difference in training methods between La Liga teams and Eredivisie teams was even greater than he had imagined!

"Fast, fast, fast, get running, get running!"

Unlike during the rondo, as soon as the practice match began, Escrivá's voice immediately grew much louder; whenever a player made a mistake, he would shout out instantly.

"Tom, run! Damn it, are you a pig? You can't pass at a time like this; you're too rushed!"

Only ten minutes into the practice match, Tang Ye had already lost possession four times, making Escrivá's head throb.

"Pass, pass! Don't keep trying to combine with the forwards; your partners are the midfielders—pay attention to the defensive midfielders on both sides!"

Taking Escrivá's advice, Tang Ye passed the ball to Rodri, who was making a run on the right, but neither of them expected what happened next.

Rodri ran straight past it!

Team B seized the ball, and eventually, Ale scored.

"My fault, my fault!"

Tang Ye immediately raised his hand to apologize.

Damn it!

Escrivá angrily threw up his hands; Tang Ye's latest blunder had left him so furious that he fell silent on the sidelines.

The match continued; Team A, kicking off, launched an attack against Team B, with Tang Ye and Rodri executing a few simple combinations.

Tang Ye was clearly adapting gradually, playing much better than before.

Rodri dribbled the ball over to Tang Ye, while Tang Ye simultaneously moved forward.

Scanning the field while off the ball, he noticed Bakambu ahead, currently standing in open space.

At that moment, Tang Ye made a subtle move.

He secretly glanced toward Escrivá on the sidelines.

Escrivá:?

Escrivá said nothing.

Got it!

A smile appeared on Tang Ye's face as he reached out, signaling Rodri for the ball.

The ball rolled toward him at an angle; seizing the opportunity, Tang Ye directly curled it forward with his right foot.

Bang!

【De Bruyne Curved Through Pass Lv3: Simulation】

Proficiency: 313/400

???

"You damn well lost it again..."

Expecting Tang Ye's pass to vanish without a trace, everyone was surprised when the ball rolled right in front of several Team B defenders.

Suddenly slowing down, it arrived right at Bakambu's feet!

!!!

Bang!

A straightforward shot went straight into the net.

Tang Tang Qiuwang lost possession, and the ball entered the opponent's half.

Bakambu didn't turn around to gesture to Tang Ye; he simply stood motionless inside Team B's penalty area.

He was thinking.

Thinking about a question he hadn't figured out until just now.

Namely, Ale's earlier remark.

"Don't know how the goal happens, but in the end, it just goes in."

Understood!

Bakambu understood!

He finally knew what Ale's words meant!

(End of Chapter)