Chapter 36: Mr. Erik, You Need to Trust Me

Checking the time, Utrecht's next match against Zwolle was less than a week away.

Tang Ye could wait, but he truly wanted to obtain that Portuguese chest.

After a moment of internal struggle, Tang Ye knocked on Ten Hag's office door.

Knock knock!

"Come in!"

"Wow?"

Seeing that the visitor was Tang Ye, Ten Hag put down the Zwolle documents in his hand: "What's wrong? Do you want to take a day off tomorrow?"

"No."

Tang Ye greeted Fan Fan Dejiahe, who was sitting on the sofa reading a football newspaper, then walked straight forward.

"Is that... the day after tomorrow? Or the day after that? You're not planning to take leave during the match, are you? I won't allow you to take leave during the match, not even the day after tomorrow; we have endurance training then."

While speaking, Ten Hag organized his files, whereas Tang Ye pulled over the office chair from the corner and sat down in front of Ten Hag: "Erik, you've got it wrong; I'm not that kind of person, I won't take leave."

"You wouldn't even take a free day off tomorrow?" Ten Hag raised his eyebrows.

"For real? No make-up work required?"

Tang Ye's eyes lit up, but then he realized he had fallen into a trap; he quickly cleared his throat to ease the embarrassment: "No, Mr., I was just joking with you a moment ago. What I mean is, regardless of whether it's real or whether make-up work is needed, I will not take leave."

"I am focused on the team's training."

Tang Ye's gaze was firm. It was the first time Ten Hag had seen this expression in Tang Ye's eyes, and for some reason, he felt like laughing.

"Oh, sorry, I just thought of something happy."

"Mr. Erik, you should be serious; I am being very serious right now."

Tang Ye reminded him. Ten Hag cleared his throat twice, then sat up straight: "Right, I should be more serious. Alright, what did you prepare to tell me? Do you want a raise? I can speak to the club on your behalf about that."

"No."

Tang Ye shook his head, pointing at the documents in Ten Hag's hand.

"You want to see these?"

Ten Hag handed the items in his hand to Tang Ye; they were data collected by Fan Fan Dejiahe, recording the characteristics of each Zwolle player as well as the tactics their head coach, Omond, liked to use.

The data was so detailed that with such a file, Tang Ye felt he could act as a coach himself.

Tang Ye returned the documents to Ten Hag: "If I want to start in the next match, will there be a chance?"

"..."

"You mentioned this to me last time; the fact is, you cannot be too impatient right now,"

Ten Hag replied.

He hadn't expected Tang Ye to approach him twice regarding the starting position.

"I feel I am ready to start now; I can run the entire match."

There was a hint of bluffing in Tang Ye's words.

But to be honest, if he drank a bottle of Vardy Red Bull before the match, playing for 90 minutes was truly not impossible.

"Hmm... I know; you've improved very quickly recently. I've seen your determination; you are trying to find ways to become better."

Ten Hag gently rubbed the index finger of his left hand with his right.

He also had his difficulties.

That was simply Tang Ye's age; he was truly too young.

Starting in the Eredivisie at 16 years old.

What the hell kind of concept is that!

"Mr. Erik, I think you should trust me once, just like you put me on the field during the KNVB Cup."

Tang Ye had long prepared his speech.

Today, he absolutely had to move Ten Hag!

For his starting position.

And for that Portuguese chest!

"..."

Hiss—

Ten Hag took a deep breath.

He remained silent for nearly 20 seconds.

"Here's the deal: we still have three days. If you are not late even once over the next three days, I can consider letting you start."

Ten Hag had made his decision.

"Tang, you know that you do not yet possess the ability to start in an Eredivisie match, but if you are willing to move me with your attitude, you will have a chance."

Ten Hag gave a vague answer.

So vague that Tang Ye still couldn't tell whether he had a chance to start in the next match.

However, since Ten Hag had said this, Tang Ye could only follow through.

For the next three days, he would probably have to set his alarm clock half an hour earlier!

Tang Ye walked out the door, then remembered something, opened the door again, and leaned sideways to look inside the room.

But this time, he only exposed his head.

"Mr. Erik, you need to trust me!"

"Thank you!"

"I know, I know, remember to close the door!"

Slam!

After the door was closed for the second time, Fan Fan Dejiahe, sitting on the sofa, dropped the newspaper in his hand: "Mr. Sitting Like, why would you deceive a young player who is only sixteen?"

"Deceive him? What exactly did I deceive him about?"

Ten Hag shrugged indifferently and picked up the documents in his hand again.

"He already possesses the ability to play in the Eredivisie; if you aren't starting him, that is Ayoub's issue, isn't it?"

As a member of the coaching staff, Fan Fan Dejiahe knew the detailed circumstances.

Both Jansen and Ramselaar were absolute starters; if Tang Ye wanted to start, he would have to take Ayoub's position.

The problem lay precisely with Ayoub.

Ayoub had made many contributions to Utrecht, and his seniority exceeded Ten Hag's by far more than a little.

If Ayoub were directly removed from the starting lineup simply because of poor results in the early stage, problems might arise in Utrecht's locker room!

This was exactly what Ten Hag worried about most!

"I believe we cannot lock a player into a starting position just because of his past outstanding contributions; this is..."

"Alright, alright, say no more."

Ten Hag looked up and halted Fan Fan Dejiahe, who was speaking: "I will consider it; fine, say no more."

Over the next few days, Tang Ye adjusted his alarm clock according to plan.

With training at 8:30, he needed to arrive at the canteen by 8:00 to finish eating; calculating the time required for daily tasks, Tang Ye needed to wake up at 7:00 in the morning.

This was a challenge for Tang Ye, but he ultimately succeeded.

By arriving at the training ground early for three consecutive days, Tang Ye fulfilled Ten Hag's requirements.

On the morning of the final day, after careful consideration, Tang Ye gave up the opportunity to speak with Ten Hag.

He had already gone this far.

If Tang Ye could start, then he would start.

If he could not start, then no amount of talking would be useful.

He needed to wait!

Wait for tomorrow's match!

For some reason, Tang Ye felt somewhat excited now.

It was an excitement born of anticipation, so much so that Tang Ye, who originally had no mind to train, had become filled with passion.

Time arrived at 2:30 PM on October 23, Amsterdam time.

At this moment, there was only half an hour left before the start of the tenth round of this season's Eredivisie match between Zwolle and Utrecht.

Utrecht simultaneously released the starting lineup for this match on Twitter and Instagram.

Among them, the most eye-catching line was that of the forwards.

99 TangY (U17)

The three large characters "U17" struck at the hearts of the fans.

The Eredivisie!

A U17 player starting!

(End of Chapter)