Chapter 8: Going to the First Team?

For reasons beyond comprehension, after having their yellow bibs removed, Tang Ye and Milner, the two midfielders, found themselves integrated into the first-team squad.

Living up to Ten Hag's expectations, Tang Ye commenced his strolling mode within the first team.

Xhaka dribbled forward near the center circle, yet Tang Ye made no move to press.

Kalon approached right up to Tang Ye's face, while Tang Ye slowly inched toward Kalon.

Though the two were less than two meters apart, Tang Ye still did not attempt to tackle.

Witnessing this scene, Melent on the sidelines was on the verge of shedding tears of emotion.

Melent did not want Tang Ye to leave the reserve team, and since Tang Ye knew this, he deliberately adopted an extremely negative attitude during the match while Ten Hag was supervising.

The disciple knew what was in the master's heart.

What is meant by a deep bond between master and disciple?

This is a deep bond between master and disciple!

Tang Ye possessed talent, and Melent believed he could ignite that talent.

Just then, Tang Ye, who had been standing still, suddenly sprinted; Balazits of the first team completed a tackle on Xhaka and immediately spotted Tang Ye pulling into space.

Unfortunately, because Tang Ye came from the reserve team, Balazits did not pass the ball to him.

"Pass it to him!"

Ten Hag shouted loudly; hearing the coach's command, Balazits acted decisively, delivering a pass straight to Tang Ye's feet.

Slap!

Tang Ye extended his foot to control the ball, then, without accelerating, simply pointed toward the attacking end with his right hand.

?

At the very front, striker Haller, sensing something amiss, suddenly surged forward; seizing the opportunity, Tang Ye struck the ball with the inside of his foot, playing a low through-ball into the attacking zone.

"Damn it!"

Amrabat cursed loudly, completely caught off guard by such a pass from Tang Ye.

He hadn't even had time to extend his foot!

Slap!

The ball rolled past Amrabat's eyes, bypassed two reserve center-backs, and finally arrived at striker Haller's feet.

Facing a perfect scoring opportunity, Haller swung his leg to shoot as the reserve goalkeeper rushed out.

With a "bang," the ball flew over the crossbar.

That was a textbook airball!

"Uh..."

Haller clutched his head, turned to look at Tang Ye, and gave a thumbs-up: "My fault! My fault!"

A sixteen-year-old reserve player had delivered a perfect one-on-one chance, yet Haller himself had failed to convert it.

Damn it, could there be anything more embarrassing than this?

"It's fine, it's fine."

Tang Ye waved his hand indifferently.

It was just a training match; scoring or not scoring didn't matter at all!

Although Tang Ye was indifferent, Ten Hag on the sidelines had already darkened his expression.

He was a coach who cared greatly about face; the idea of first-team players holding back reserve players was something Ten Hag simply could not accept.

"Hmm..."

Ten Hag turned to look at Melent beside him: "Our players aren't in good form today; otherwise, victory should belong to us."

After making excuses for the players on the field, Ten Hag's gaze returned to Tang Ye.

This guy has started strolling again!

"Ahem, ahem."

Melent cleared his throat dryly, then said to Ten Hag: "Tang has always been quite lazy; it was like this last season as well."

"Why doesn't he run? Is he unable to run? Shouldn't you have plenty of endurance training?"

"Every time during endurance training, he secretly runs away."

"?"

Ten Hag widened his eyes: "There are players like that?"

Seeing Ten Hag's surprised expression, Melent felt a hint of joy in his heart.

He knew this Dutchman emphasized discipline heavily, so a slacker type of player like Tang Ye would likely not catch his eye.

"I think we need to give it a try; the first team is hitting a bottleneck right now anyway, so let's suspend this guy's training tomorrow."

"Suspend? Hmm, why?"

Melent did not understand Ten Hag's words.

"I will have someone take him to the KNVB to register for an Eredivisie identity; the transfer window is closing soon, and if we don't register now, it will be too late."

"????"

"This... Erik, listen to me, Tang's lack of discipline is a huge problem, and he is only sixteen; playing directly in the Eredivisie means he won't be able to adapt!"

Melent's voice suddenly grew louder; Fan Fan Dejiahe on the sideline thought he was about to make a substitution adjustment and specifically walked over to ask, but upon learning he was speaking to Ten Hag, he left again.

"It doesn't matter, there's no rush; what I mean is to let him register for the Eredivisie first, then train with the first team."

Ten Hag spread his hands: "Registering for the Eredivisie doesn't mean he must play; this guy has talent, and training with the first team will help him improve faster."

Ten Hag's meaning was obvious: he wanted to keep Tang Ye by his side.

Discipline is lacking.

Ten Hag will personally teach you how to observe discipline!

"This, this, this..."

Melent's expression showed some hesitation.

The first team lacks a midfielder, but our second team lacks one too!

"Eric, how about we hold off for now? Keep Tang in the second team until next season, or perhaps the winter transfer window of this season. Let's wait for the winter window and observe him for half a season. How does that sound?"

Ten Hag did not immediately respond to Melent's suggestion. Instead, he turned around, placed both hands on Melent's shoulders, and said, "Tell me, what is your position?"

"Uh..."

Ten Hag's question was somewhat strange, but Melent still answered seriously: "Head coach of the second team."

"So you still know you're the head coach of the second team!"

Ten Hag pulled his hands back. "This matter is settled. He must report to the first team the day after tomorrow!"

Morning training ended, and Melent took Tang Ye and Amrabat with him.

"After lunch, we have another training session this afternoon, but neither of you needs to attend that one."

Huh?

Amrabat's eyes lit up, his face filled with indescribable joy.

Melent then looked at Tang Ye and noticed that his expression was somewhat tense.

"Mr. Melent, am I about to get kicked out..."

Tang Ye felt a bit sad; after muddling through an entire season, he was finally about to be settled with.

Although he didn't like training, he didn't want to be fired either!

"..."

"Ahem! Ahem!"

After clearing his throat twice to ease the awkwardness, Melent continued his unfinished sentence: "This afternoon, both of you will train with the first team. Tomorrow, someone will register you for the Eredivisie."

Amrabat rubbed his hands together; he could already imagine himself stepping onto the pitch in the Eredivisie.

Over twenty thousand spectators live! Oh my god!

As for Tang Ye, upon learning he was going to the first team, he suddenly frowned.

"What's wrong?" Melent asked.

"Isn't the training intensity of the first team very high? Maybe I should train a bit longer in the second team?"

What?

Melent's eyes widened; his heart felt warm at this moment.

Although this guy Tang Ye was unreliable, he still remembered Melent, the head coach of the second team!

"No, don't come back!"

Melent took a deep breath. "Tang, although I often scold you, let me tell you now: you are actually a very talented player."

"You should be in the Eredivisie, not returning to the Eerste Divisie. Believe me, I can feel it; your ceiling can reach 10 million euros!"

"10 million euros? That's too much!"

???

"... fuck!"

"Get out of here right now!"

Melent shoved Tang Ye, whom he had been hugging, away with one hand and pointed toward the first team's training ground. "Lazy pig, a lazy pig with no ambition! If your market value ever breaks 10 million euros in the future, I'll shove shit straight into my own mouth!"

"Scram!"

(End of Chapter)