[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back":3,"chapter-football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-113":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Football: At 16, Let Me Retire and Come Back?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2300083,4499,"Chapter 113: Sergio, Which Foot Is Left?","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-113",113,"\u003Cp>The match ended with both teams tied 1-1.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Huang Qian’s final preseason friendly; ignoring the mistakes, the overall performance was still acceptable to Escrivà.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the match, Escrivà called Tang Ye out of the locker room for a private chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Fèi, Mr. Fèlán…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye spoke with some nervousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could tell Mr. Fèlán was not in a good mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the second half of today’s match, Tang Ye gave up passing and coordination due to fatigue—Mr. Fèlán must be furious about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to Tang Ye’s surprise, Escrivà did not mention that issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did you use your left foot for the set piece in the second half?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye looked up at Escrivà: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I use my right foot next time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No no no, that’s not what I mean—I’m asking why you used your left foot for the set piece!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivà grew impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After coaching top-tier teams for so many years, Tang Ye was the first player he’d ever seen who could take set pieces equally well with both feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, Tang Ye’s left foot was just as stable as his right!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After recalling the match situation, Tang Ye gave his answer: “I felt my left foot was in a better position—I needed to avoid defenders in the box, and based on the positioning at the time… yeah, the curve from the left foot was more suitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, you still don’t understand what I mean!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivà grabbed Tang Ye’s shoulders: “How did you learn to take set pieces with your left foot? Have you always been able to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssshh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a deep breath, shaking his head left and right to confirm no one else was nearby, Escrivà continued his unanswered question: “I watched every highlight of your time at Utrecht—you never used your left foot for a single pass or set piece. Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It depends on the situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye spoke slowly: “At Utrecht, I was used to my right foot because I was comfortable with it—but now I can’t. La Liga’s pace is too fast; sometimes I don’t have time to switch feet, so I just use my left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivà nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye was easily the strangest player he’d ever coached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did anyone at Utrecht know you could use your left foot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye thought again: “Hmm… no one seemed to know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious—if anyone at Utrecht had known Tang Ye was two-footed, Huang Qian would never have rented him for just 3 million euros.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivà pursed his lips, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now faced a very awkward situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Tang Ye was a treasure—but the team’s tactical style clashed with Tang Ye’s playing style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How the hell do I handle this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivà pushed open the door to the press room; instantly, the room filled with the “click-click-click” of camera shutters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reporters asked Escrivà again about Tang Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spanish football reporters weren’t fools—Escrivà saw the mismatch between Tang Ye and the team’s style, and the reporters saw it too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fèlán, before pushing for Tang’s transfer, did you consider he might not be able to execute your tactical demands?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, I never considered that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivà spoke plainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During his time at Utrecht, Tang Ye had no dribbling highlights, but his first touch was always solid—leading Escrivà to wrongly assume Tang Ye had excellent ball control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, the assist king of the Eredivisie shouldn’t have such poor dribbling!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was his mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now it seemed this mistake had brought Villarreal a fortune!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So do you regret this deal? Or will you include Tang in your tactical setup for upcoming matches?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reporter pressed further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right after the question, a smile appeared on Escrivà’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These dumb reporters probably thought he’d wasted 3 million euros on a rental.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They still didn’t get it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t regret it. I won’t regret any of my decisions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivà spoke slowly: “As for including Tang in our tactics—I’m certain we will. We paid to bring him here so he can contribute on the pitch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But so far, he seems unable to adapt to the team’s system.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know, I know—but I’ll solve this problem. That’s my job!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivà’s voice grew louder; the reporters understood he didn’t want to discuss this further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Change the topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On August 17, you’ll host Monaco in the Champions League playoff. Are you ready?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first leg of the Champions League playoff—the first official match of the season for Huang Qian!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, of course. We’re ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivà nodded firmly: “Monaco is a team with outstanding overall strength—no doubt about it—but I believe we’re prepared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the train back to base, Tang Ye chewed his favorite gum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After taking the left-footed set piece, Tang Ye suddenly realized he couldn’t tell left from right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that he couldn’t tell left and right at all—just that he sometimes forgot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like now—he looked down at his two feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which one was the left foot?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which one was the right foot?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye couldn’t tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to the side and called out: “Sergio.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye extended his calf and pointed to his left foot: “Is this my left foot or right foot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Left foot. Why are you asking me this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing, just curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye put his left foot back on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rodrigo had just confirmed it—this was his left foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye realized something troubling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which foot did Rodrigo just say was the left one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No no no!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye shook his head and immediately focused his mind on his internal system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Zhou Botong’s Left-Right Combat Template (Ultimate)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(1) Fully replicate your dominant foot’s ability onto your non-dominant foot;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(2) When your dominant foot gains a new template, fully replicate it onto your non-dominant foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it never mentioned any side effects…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only explanation was that the system had another bug—like the previous high-level-6 【De Bruyne Spatial Movement】 bug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye felt terrible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous bug helped him—but this one completely destroyed his sense of left and right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s not right!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye suddenly noticed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If both feet were truly identical, why even distinguish left from right? Just use whichever foot suits the situation—problem solved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Tang Ye suddenly didn’t feel bad anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dongqiu Di pinned: What’s going on? Why did Tang Ye suddenly use his left foot for a set piece in the friendly? Was it accidental—or did he hide this ability?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dongqiu Di reposted: Huang Qian will face Monaco to secure a Champions League spot—will Tang Ye get a chance to play in the Champions League this season?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye’s use of his left foot sparked major discussion in Spain, the Netherlands, and especially China—where fans debated it most intensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the two friendlies, Tang Ye’s left foot clearly had serious ability—and its proficiency was likely very high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So now the question arises: the great Tang Qiuwang clearly has the ability to kick with his left foot, yet he refuses to use it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is only one reason!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn Ten Hag!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During his time at Utrecht, Tang Qiuwang hid his left foot on purpose, so Ten Hag would never learn he possessed such an ability—and thus avoid being controlled by Ten Hag!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Somebody still praising Ten Hag? What’s so great about Ten Hag?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You don’t get it—Ten Hag is Tang Ye’s master. How could Tang Ye deliberately hide his skills under Ten Hag’s command? There must be another reason you just don’t know about.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【I get it now—there’s a mysterious old man inside Tang Ye’s gum, and he’s Xiao Yan!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Fuck off—Tang Qiuwang hid his left foot only because he couldn’t take it anymore. If Ten Hag doesn’t even feed you, would you be willing to give your all on the pitch?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Manchester United, Ten Hag is currently busy strengthening the squad during the summer transfer window and remains unaware of what’s happening with Tang Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the match against Leganés, Escrivà held a small meeting, attended by all three assistant coaches and four fitness coaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on Tang Ye’s performance in the preseason friendlies, Escrivà clearly stated at the meeting his intention to heavily rely on Tang Ye in the new season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t yet know exactly how to use him, but I must say: we need a player like this to help the team. Tang will be a crucial piece in Villarreal’s new season—but how exactly to deploy him depends on future training.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivà’s current goal is to transform Tang Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must retain Tang Ye’s creative passing while developing his ball-control ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Tang Ye can master both skills simultaneously, Escrivà’s task becomes simple: place him at the attacking midfield position and continue using the team’s tactics from last season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if we can’t train Tang to develop sufficient ball-control ability?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Di suddenly asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was in charge of passing drills and believed it was highly unlikely Tang Ye could achieve La Liga-level passing stability and awareness in such a short time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He will have it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivà’s expression was resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye must develop sufficient ball-control ability—otherwise, Escrivà wouldn’t know how to use him at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides Tang Ye’s transformation training, Escrivà also discussed the upcoming Champions League playoff match against Monaco at this meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team certainly wanted to qualify for the Champions League, but Monaco was no easy opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two paths lay before Escrivà.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Don’t play Tang Ye; field the same lineup from last season against Monaco. Though missing a few key players, Villarreal was still fourth in last season’s La Liga—against Monaco, the outcome was far from certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Play Tang Ye; though risky, his exceptional individual creativity might just lead Villarreal to create a miracle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coaching staff debated this issue endlessly, until Escrivà made his final decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Champions League playoff against Monaco, Tang Ye will remain on the bench!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no choice—the Champions League prize money was too huge. Escrivà had to be cautious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1671,"2026-06-20T06:50:08.245Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8c50b107c70ec36403f73079ae47782b9d6ad64f952ed70ab7de9b23adaa79fd","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-114","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-112",918,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffootball-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-cover.jpg"]