Chapter 12: I'm a possession-oriented midfielder—why the hell did I get a tackling skill?

[Basic Chest: Peak Value Under 15 Million EUR]

[Intermediate Chest: Value 15–30 Million EUR]

[Advanced Chest: Value 30–70 Million EUR]

[Star Chest: Value 70 Million EUR+]

[You obtained... Casemiro's Tackle!]

[Defense: 40 → 55]

[Physical Confrontation: 52 → 61]

What the hell?

Tang Ye suddenly furrowed his brow.

He had heard of Casemiro—he was a Real Madrid player, estimated to be worth around 10 million EUR.

The system classified him in the Star Chest, meaning this player’s future value could reach at least 70 million EUR.

That was truly incredible.

But Tang Ye now had a problem.

A very serious problem.

Isn’t he a central midfielder who controls the ball? Why does he need a tackle skill!?

……

On match day, half an hour before kickoff, Chinese fans saw the team’s official match squad list on Utrecht’s Twitter.

Player #99, Meng Ge, was listed!

[Meng Ge is here, guys—bet on Den Haag to win outright, guaranteed!]

[You looking down on Meng Ge, huh?]

【16 Suitihejia ， Woqu ， Tenghahededanzizhemedama ？】

【 Zheshidanzidama ， Zhejiaozhihui ， Zhihui ！ Tenghaheyouneng ！】

[Wait, am I really about to see a 16-year-old Chinese player play in the Eredivisie?]

[Those who don’t understand football are betting on Den Haag to win—I know the game, so I’m betting on Utrecht to win with a last-minute goal at 1:80 odds—scare the hell out of you, haha!]

“Alright, guys, good evening. Today’s live broadcast is Eredivisie Matchday 3: Den Haag vs. Utrecht. Based on historical head-to-head records, Utrecht hasn’t beaten Den Haag in the past year, so I recommend betting on the home team not to lose.”

Wang Chao gave his match analysis: “Of course, there’s another major highlight—Tang Ye has been named in the pre-match squad!”

“To show support for the Chinese player, I’m donating 100 and betting on Utrecht to win outright!”

Upon learning Tang Ye would play, Wang Chao’s “Little Bean Warriors” suddenly grew nervous.

Gamblers fear these wildcards the most!

The director was very considerate—he cut to a shot of Tang Ye and Amrabat sitting on the bench.

Zheliangmingqiuyuandoushicongerduishengshanglaide ， Danhetangyebutongdeshi ， Amulabatezailiansaidiyilunjiuyoudedaoshangchangjihui ， Xianranshigengshoutenghahezhongyongdeyige 。

Beep!

The first half began, and Den Haag, playing at home, immediately launched attacks against Utrecht.

In the 34th minute, Hafner scored with a header—Den Haag took a 1-0 lead.

Fuck!

Tenghahemengdijuqishuangshou 。

He was furious about the goal conceded.

They held out for 30 minutes, and now this happens!?

Holy shit, that’s impressive.

Tang Ye’s eyes widened—he was watching his first Eredivisie match up close from the bench.

The speed!

The physicality!

Tang Ye had the feeling that every one of these 1.9-meter-tall players might just come charging straight at him.

“Don’t worry, stay calm!”

Amrabat, drawing from his own experience, comforted Tang Ye: “On your first substitute appearance, don’t force yourself to stand out—just play normally and finish the match.”

“It’s fine.”

Tang Ye leaned back in his seat like a lazy boss.

Tazhidaozijideshuiping ， Tenghaheyezhidaotashishenmeshuiping ， Zhezhongjibiedebisaibatafangshangqu ， Wuyijiushizaigeiduishousongjihuia ！

The second half began. Utrecht, trailing, pushed forward aggressively. In the 62nd minute, they earned a corner kick. “Ramselaar, take the corner!”

“Aale! Aale! Header—missed! Kick it in! Nice!”

Although he knew betting on the away team was just a donation, Wang Chao still got excited seeing the away team score.

Why was he excited?

Because if the match ended in a draw, those who bet on Den Haag to win wouldn’t make money.

I can’t afford foot washing, but I won’t let you go wash your feet while I watch!

That’s the greatest disrespect to Little Bean players!

“Great goal!”

Tenghahegeichangshangdealaisongshangzhangsheng ， Suihouyibianhanhuayibiandashoushi 。

They’d just scored—Utrecht’s morale was at its peak.

Tenghahexiangyaojiezhuzhegejihuiwanchengbifendefanchao ！

He turned to the bench: “Sofyan (Amrabat), Ruwio (Ruwen)—warm up.”

“And also…”

Tenghahedemuguangzaitibuxishangdonglaidongqu ， Zuihoukandaoleqiaozheerlangtuidetangye ：「 Lanzhu ， Niyereshen 」

！

On camera, Tang Ye took off his jacket and put on a yellow vest. Suddenly, the stands erupted in cheers.

Buguangshizhuduiqiumi ， Jiulianzhuduidejiaolianzuyeshiyiyangdeqingkuang ， Haiyazhushuaikeertekanleyiyanchangwaizhengzaizuozhelashendetangye ， Suihoumuguanggeidaotenghahe 。

Wait, I’m trying to play a proper Eredivisie match—why are you putting a 16-year-old on?

“Sir, we’ve been mocked!”

The assistant coach whispered to Kort, updating him on Tang Ye’s background.

“Good luck? What kind of trait is that? Tell me what type of player he is.”

“Hmm…”

The assistant thought carefully, then replied: “He’s probably an attacking midfielder.”

“Probably?”

……

“Denhaag!”

Thump! Thump!

“Denhaag!”

Thump! Thump!

The crowd’s chants grew louder, the match more intense. Despite relentless pressure, Utrecht still hadn’t scored by the 80th minute.

The score was tied 1-1!

Tenghahekanzhezaizijipangbianreshendezhexieqiuyuanmen ， Zhunbeikaishihuanren ：「 Luweiao ， Haiyousuofei ……， N 」

When he reached Amrabat’s name, he paused.

The game was stuck—bringing on another defensive midfielder wouldn’t help.

Then why not…

“Tang, get ready to come on!”

Huh?

Hearing his name, Tang Ye raised an eyebrow.

Indeed, hard work always pays off!

His Eredivisie debut was finally here!

“Utrecht’s substitution: Ruwen replaces Barazite, and… Tang Ye replaces Ayoub!?”

“Oh my god, Tang Ye is actually playing!”

Bisaidi 82 Fenzhong ， Heayoubujizhangzhihoudetangyezaitenghahedecuicuxiawangzijideweizhimanpao 。

[Meng Ge is here! Anyone bet 1:2? Watch me, Meng Ge, use my outside foot to make you wash your feet!]

[A 16-year-old in the Eredivisie? Isn’t Tang Ye still on a youth contract?]

【 Qingxunhetongbuzhongyao ， Zhongyaodeshitangyekeyimeng ， Xianzaiwudeleizhimeibanfajinqiule ， Tenghahezhiwangtangyeshangqumengyijiaone 】

[I’m laughing so hard—Den Haag’s head coach is counting on a 16-year-old to ‘luck out’? Don’t you think that sounds ridiculous?]

Kanzhetangyemanmanpaoxiangqiuchangdebeiying ， Tenghahesaizaikoudailideshoujinjinzhuazhuyifubuliao 。

Tang, luck one out, and you’ll eat in the first-team cafeteria from now on!

……

(End of Chapter)