Chapter 546: 45-Degree Cross Level 6! The 30-Man Shortlist for the 2019 Ballon d'Or

"Wow!!"

Bang!

Coming out of the locker room, the Manchester United players began their passionate celebration.

"4:2!"

"4:2!"

Tang Ye was extremely excited; he punched the tactical board.

Bang!

"Damn, damn!"

Squatting down and clutching his hand, Tang Ye found his right hand had gone numb.

"Hey, hey, hey, are you okay? Are you okay?"

Rodri quickly came over; after seeing there was nothing wrong with Tang Ye's hand, he started laughing again: "Haha, stay calm, Captain Tom."

"No, stop laughing, Rodri, this was just a mistake."

Tang Ye gritted his teeth, forcing himself to push through the pain.

Rashford called out, signaling the staff to get an ice pack.

Tang Ye's hand looked fine for now, but it might still cause problems later.

Gritting his teeth, Tang Ye shook his hand, then placed his other hand on Dembélé's shoulder.

Ousmane Dembélé had scored half of the team's goals in this match; he was undoubtedly Manchester United's hero!

"Ousmane, I'll take you to get the MVP trophy later; let me tell you how the Premier League process works."

Just as Tang Ye finished speaking, a message came from the staff outside: "Best Player, Number 10, if you're ready, you can come out."

"..."

The corner of Tang Ye's mouth twitched; he spread his hands toward the staff member: "Why not Number 7?"

"..."

The staff member took a step back, somewhat bewildered by the question: "I'm just a worker earning 20 pounds an hour; I don't handle the voting..."

"Oh, no."

Tang Ye placed his hand on his head: "Alright then, Ousmane, next time it's yours; this time, give it to me first—I haven't won an MVP this season yet."

Dembélé and Tang Ye clapped hands.

Today's match was the best Dembélé had played since transferring to Manchester United, yet even so, the MVP was not his.

"Just get used to it."

Ashley Young whispered.

"This is how it is at Manchester United; the last time I won MVP..."

Ashley Young looked up at the ceiling and began pondering: "Hmm, anyway, it wasn't last season; I haven't won one in at least a year."

"Rodri, when was the last time you won MVP?"

"Just last round."

Rodri answered very quickly.

"No, no, excluding the few matches where Tom wasn't playing."

"Then that would be..."

"Probably not too long ago either; I won a few last season."

Rodri laughed heartily.

After all, he was a midfielder worth hundreds of millions.

If he couldn't even snatch an MVP from a master's hands, how could he become a midfielder worth hundreds of millions?

As for Dembélé...

The French striker had just arrived at Manchester United; he still needed a long adaptation period.

Click, click!

"Welcome back, Tom."

Tang Ye returned to the Sky Sports camera, still holding the MVP trophy, only this time it was the new version.

"My original draft was going to ask how your recovery was going, but now it seems that question isn't necessary."

"Hmm, why?"

"..."

The reporter's mouth twitched: "I mean, your performance in this match was outstanding. Forget it, let's not talk about that; returning to the Premier League and immediately facing Liwupu, was this the coaching staff's idea, or was it Ji De Xiang Fa?"

"Both, I suppose; I told the coach I was ready, because I've been playing well in training over the past few days, so starting definitely isn't a problem."

"Did you consider saving your season debut for the next match to avoid Liwupu?"

The reporter's suggestion was immediately rejected by Tang Ye: "Oh, that won't do. Because I've also been watching the Premier League standings; before the match, Manchester United was second and Liwupu was first, so this match was very important; if I could play, I had to play."

"I've played in the Red Devils derby many times, so I have quite a bit of experience."

Tang Ye sounded somewhat proud.

"Yes, we see you are now Manchester United's captain."

"Haha, thank you!"

Having not played a match for several months, today, after finishing the topics regarding the Red Devils derby, the reporter asked Tang Ye a whole slew of questions, including matters concerning the summer transfer window.

The reporter wanted to know if Tang Ye had played a role in Dembélé's transfer; to this, Tang Ye's answer was somewhat ambiguous, because he had not directly indicated during their call that Dembélé should join Manchester United.

Then there was the matter of the captain's armband.

"Can you feel a sense of responsibility now? I'm talking about responsibility toward the team?"

"Of course."

Tang Ye answered quickly: "I will win the championship together with my teammates."

……

Tang Ye Exclusive Interview: Feeling a sense of responsibility due to the captain's armband, Man United's goal this season remains the Premier League title, while also launching an assault on the Champions League. Last season was very regrettable for Man United; they should have had a chance to win the Champions League.

Dembélé: Tang Ye's return has made us more confident; before the match even started, we believed we could defeat Liwupu. Tang Ye's performance in training was outstanding, which is why the coach started him.

Check Dongqiu Di Hot Discussion: What's your take? Tang Ye returns in his first match, and Man United shoots straight to first place in the Premier League. Could the 19-20 season be Man United's smoothest in nearly ten years?

Attached: 2019-2020 Premier League Standings (as of the end of Round 9):

1. Man United, 25 points.

2. Liwupu, 24 points.

3. Mancheng, 22 points.

4. Chelsea, 21 points.

5. Wolves, 18 points.

【"It really is smooth, brothers. First place by Round 9? Won't we clinch the title five rounds early?"】

【"Looking down on Liwupu, are we?"】

【"To be honest, I feel Mancheng is truly not up to par this season; they're not even as good as Chelsea."】

【"Brothers, I'm time-traveling from one year in the future: Man United wins the Premier League this season."】

【"I feel it mainly depends on the Champions League; there's a difference between being the strongest in England and the strongest in the world."】

Man United's season has been smooth; frankly, that is indeed the case.

To suppress both Liwupu and Mancheng by the end of Round 9 while keeping all starting players healthy—one can only say Man United has been a bit too smooth.

"Glory, glory, Man United~"

"Glory, glory, Man United~"

On the return journey, the players sang inside the team bus.

"Premier League champions!"

Ashley Young shouted.

"And Champions League champions!"

Tang Ye added: "We were already Premier League champions last season, Young. If we only win the Premier League again, that's no progress."

"I hadn't finished yet; I was about to say Champions League champions."

"You closed your mouth right after saying 'Premier League champions'; I was watching you."

"Haha!"

Ashley Young's little trick did not escape Tang Ye's sharp gaze.

"Respected Captain Tom, where are we going to celebrate tonight?"

Up front, Rashford leaned over the back of his seat.

"Please, don't call me Captain..."

Tang Ye was not quite accustomed to this new title for himself, but then, prompted by Rashford, he noticed the captain's armband on his left arm.

After the match ended, he had taken off his jacket directly, and Tang Ye had forgotten to remove the armband.

"Oh, oh, my mistake."

With Rashford's help, Tang Ye took off the armband: "So, where are we going tonight?"

"You're the captain; you decide."

"This..."

Tang Ye placed his hand on his chin and thought carefully for quite a long time.

"What do you say?"

"I can't think of anything..."

……

An hour and a half after the match ended, Man United's official Twitter and Bilibili accounts released a poster for the Double Red Derby. This time it was not an entertainment poster, but a celebration poster.

In the photo, Tang Ye looked up toward the stands, where fans held high a banner reading "Long Live TY."

Caption: The Master Returns.

Match Preview: October 24, Champions League Group Stage Round 3, Man United away against Dortmund, Ten Hag vs. Escrivá.

"Man United has maintained a perfect record in their two Champions League matches this season, and the match against Dortmund will become key to Man United's bid for first place in the group,"

a reporter from 442 wrote in an article.

The article pointed out that Man United bears the dual tasks of the league and the Champions League this season; considering this situation, Man United must secure first place in the group, because only with a favorable grouping can they seize the initiative in the Champions League knockout stage.

……

"Quick, quick!"

Tang Ye urged.

As Dembélé ran over, Tang Ye played the pass.

Dembélé!

Smack!

He shot for the near corner, but goalkeeper Romero blocked it out.

"Haha."

Tang Ye shrugged at Dembélé: "Your shot speed is too slow."

"I can't help it; if the ball speed is high, the accuracy drops."

Dembele was also helpless.

Adjusting the body, ball speed, and angle—combining all these things is very difficult.

"It doesn't matter if you kick it away during training; just keep practicing until you get it right."

Tang Ye gave Dembele some advice.

Ousmane is fierce at dribbling, but he must follow up with a shot.

If the shooting problem isn't resolved decisively, then Dembele's ceiling is fixed.

"Take it slow."

Fan Fan Dejiahe said, "You can be bolder during training."

Tang Ye and his teammates clapped.

"..."

Clap!

【De Bruyne 45-Degree Cross Lv5: Replication (Transcendent State)】

Proficiency: 3467/3500

Clap!

Proficiency: 3492/3500

It was about to level up, so naturally, Tang Ye's personality wouldn't let the proficiency stall; he decisively signaled his teammates to continue the 45-degree crosses.

"Oh, okay."

De Ligt understood nothing, only feeling that Tang Ye's passes were very accurate.

Clap!

【De Bruyne 45-Degree Cross Lv5: Replication (Transcendent State)】

Proficiency: 3498/3500

Proficiency: 3501/3500

【De Bruyne 45-Degree Cross Lv5: Replication → De Bruyne 45-Degree Cross Lv6: Humility in Learning】

Proficiency: 0/0

Finally here!

The highest-level 45-degree cross!

Tang Ye stood on the grass, waiting for the system's voice.

【Passing: 93 → 94】

As expected!

Just like in a game, leveling from Lv4 to Lv5 requires a lot of experience points, so leveling from Lv5 to Lv6 naturally requires even more, perhaps even more than a standalone Legendary Template.

And this experience is enough for Tang Ye to achieve a breakthrough!

Tang Ye (41 years old)

【Ball Control: 90; Passing: 94】

【Shooting: 82; Heading: 62; Set Pieces: 83】

【Speed: 79; Stamina: 80; Physicality: 86】

【Defense: 77; Vision: 99】

Overall Rating: 89

Putting heading aside, ggbond can now be called an absolute pentagonal tactical formation.

So powerful it's numbing!

Let's look at his current growth template again.

【De Bruyne 45-Degree Cross Lv6: Humility in Learning】

Proficiency: 0

【A 45-degree cross template that transcends all; this is the reward you deserve for your relentless hard work. Remember the source when drinking water; if De Bruyne were to ask to be your disciple, you must mercifully accept him as a student, even if his comprehension might be insufficient to become your disciple.】

Remember the source when drinking water!

Tang Ye, of course, understood this clearly.

Actually, without the system saying much, if someone truly wanted to become his disciple, Tang Ye would be very willing to take on a student.

"I'll do it!"

"Go in!"

Tang Ye stepped on the ball to stop it.

He pointed toward the center to signal his teammates to enter the penalty area, and Tang Ye prepared himself.

Clap!

A 45-degree diagonal pass!

The ball hit a spot slightly outside the top of the arc.

Because the speed was relatively high, it rebounded and rushed into the penalty area.

It went right through between two defenders.

?

De Ligt making a forward run!

He took a few steps forward, then slightly lowered his head.

Boom!

A header shot out, easily completing the goal.

"Oh, shit!"

Rodri, resting off the field, clutching his head, then exchanged glances with Rashford beside him.

Rashford exhaled gently.

"He's already invincible..."

"This one wasn't; I know his passing is accurate, but this was luck."

That you can control the angle of a pass, Rodri accepted; after all, a master is a master.

But that you can control the angle after the ball rebounds, Rodri simply did not believe.

Football isn't played like this!

Marca: Escrivá stated in an interview that Dortmund had already prepared to face Manchester United.

Although it was a Champions League group stage match, the elements in this game between Manchester United and Dortmund were so numerous that its popularity even surpassed typical Champions League knockout matches.

One day before the match, the entire Dortmund squad flew to Manchester.

That afternoon, Dortmund players were still shopping on the streets of Manchester.

The Sun: Dortmund players shopping on Manchester streets; Escrivá purchased a "GG Bond" plush toy from TY, a plush toy ranking first in sales in Northwest England.

One could only say that Escrivá was still too abstract in certain aspects.

Of course, seeing something interesting in a store and buying it was quite normal; fans would not mock him for it.

Just as the Dortmund players were shopping on the streets of Manchester, breaking news finally struck.

The news came from France Football.

And the content concerned the Ballon d'Or!

France Football cover: The 30-man shortlist for the 2019 European Ballon d'Or announced.

First batch: Mané, Agüero, Frenkie de Jong, Lloris, Tadić...

Second batch: Tang Ye, Mbappé, Alexander-Arnold, Marquinhos, Rashford.

Third batch: C. Ronaldo, Koulibaly, Griezmann...

Fourth batch:...

Fifth batch: Messi, Rodri, Aubameyang, De Ligt, Son Heung-min...

Thirty candidate players, meaning the thirty players the judges deemed to have performed best in 2019.

Among them, Liwupu players accounted for the most, a full six people.

Mancheng ranked second, with a total of five people: Tang Ye, Rodri, De Jong, Rashford, and De Ligt, who had just joined during the Piggy Xia Chuang.

Third place was Mancheng with four people.

The top three teams all came from the Premier League, and they happened to be the three teams of the "Three Kingdoms" rivalry.

Manchester Evening News: TY or Messi? Premier League champion or La Liga champion? The 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist announced; can Messi withstand the pressure from TY?

Pravda front-page headline: Ballon d'Or shortlist categorized by national team.

1. Netherlands, 5 people.

2. France, 4 people.

3. Portugal, 3 people.

10. Germany, 1 person.

10. China, 1 person.

Munich Times front-page headline in large characters: Eliminated in the group stage of the Russia World Cup, number of Ballon d'Or candidates tied by the Chinese team; has the dark age of German football arrived?

(End of chapter)