Chapter 915

Dongqiu Di hot topic: If Shandong Taishan advances to the AFC Champions League semifinals, what are the chances they’ll face Tang Ye?

This season’s AFC Champions League knockout stage has produced a very interesting situation: Tang Ye’s youth academy club, Shandong Taishan, and Al Hilal have been drawn in the same half-bracket.

This means if Shandong Taishan defeats Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to reach the AFC Champions League semifinals, they will become the first Chinese Super League team to face Tang Ye in an official match.

After securing a 1-0 lead in the first leg at Jinan Olympic Sports Center, Taishan’s goalkeeper Wang Dalei and defender Gao Zhunyi expressed their views on the match to the media.

“Haha, damn, cough cough.”

Realizing he shouldn’t swear, Wang Dalei covered his mouth with his hand: “Korean teams are tough to beat, but if we win, we’ll face Tang Ye in the semifinals—I think that’s a great opportunity.”

Gao Zhunyi agreed: “Even though we probably can’t beat Ye Ge’s team, I still think it’s really interesting to face him in an official match. We’ll give it our all.”

“Understood.”

The reporter nodded, and the sound of camera shutters clicked rapidly around the scene.

“Da Lei, recent reports suggest UDG wants to send you to Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan J1 League)—is this true?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“UDG has been sending Chinese players to Japan, Korea, and Europe, mostly youth players, but I feel UDG wants to boost the national team’s strength quickly, so I’ve been included in the plan.”

Wang Dalei smiled bitterly: “The chance to train in Japan’s J1 League is certainly good, but I’m already at this age, and I have a family… Moving to Japan now requires a huge decision—I need some time to think about it.”

From the perspective of China’s national team goalkeeper, abandoning everything he already has in China to rebuild abroad in Japan is not easy—after all, Wang Dalei already has nearly everything he wants in China.

Additionally, under public pressure, the salary cap in China’s domestic league has been significantly relaxed, meaning Wang Dalei’s current salary has now exceeded the 3-million-yuan limit and reached 6 million.

If Wang Dalei moves to Japan’s J1 League now, he must prepare for a 70% drop in annual salary!

…

UDG spokesperson: We hope to send Wang Dalei to Japan’s J1 League, but there are certain difficulties.

“According to past practice, UDG offers subsidies to compensate for the salary gap when Chinese players move overseas, but as a national team goalkeeper, Wang Dalei earns a high salary—meaning the company would need to provide at least 4 million RMB in subsidies to fully cover his salary gap, which is a significant expense.”

“We are currently communicating with the player, aiming to complete this transfer through partial salary subsidies combined with endorsement deals.”

Since its founding, UDG has been operating for one and a half years. Though initially met with skepticism, Tang Ye has clearly achieved phased success in this area.

UDG is subordinate to British toy giant Bubble Bond, meaning UDG holds major advantages in facilitating player transfers.

Take Wang Dalei as an example: Bubble Bond’s ample cash flow (via loans) provides partial subsidies, and if Wang Dalei truly moves to Japan’s league, Japanese companies partnered with Bubble Bond are also eager to offer him sponsorship deals to support the Chinese market.

Domestic insiders reveal that if Wang Dalei transfers to Yokohama F. Marinos, he may secure a promotional contract with Panasonic Japan for the Chinese market, worth approximately 4.5 to 7.5 million RMB annually—this could offset his salary gap.

…

PPBD director Tang Ye: If possible, I hope to send all national team players to European or Japan-Korea leagues, but implementation faces difficulties because we must consider players’ families.

“Tang Ye, do you know Wang Yudong?”

“Wow.”

Tang Ye raised an eyebrow but wasn’t surprised—he seemed to have anticipated fans would ask this question.

“Around last November, maybe November or December—I forget which—but roughly at the end of last year, Fèi… Escrivá noticed Wang Yudong and told me about him, so I took notice too.”

“His speed is fast.”

Tang Ye gave his summary: “And he’s very bold. I think he has some talent, but since I rarely watch the Chinese Super League, I can’t give a strict analysis. Escrivá told me he’s probably the best player under 23 in China right now—I know Fei Lan rarely gives such praise, so I’m very optimistic about him.”

With little time to learn about Wang Yudong, Tang Ye chose to endorse Escrivá’s assessment—he clearly trusts his coach’s judgment.

“I added him on WeChat, but he seems a bit introverted—we haven’t talked much yet. If the situation allows later, I’m very willing to help him.”

“Thanks for accepting our interview—good luck in the AFC Champions League!”

…

The Sports Weekly: Escrivá previously stated Wang Yudong is China’s best player under 23; Tang Ye has now established contact with him.

【Zhejiang fans reporting in! Is it finally our little Wang’s turn to take off?】

【I’m not a Zhejiang fan, but I think Little Wang deserves development—suggest skipping Japan, send him straight to Europe for 3 or 4 years first】

【Feels like Tang Ball King rarely watches the CSL? Is it because it’s boring?】

【What time does he have? Training and matches in Saudi during the day, reviewing documents at night. I really suspect PPBD’s workload is making him retire early.】

【Don’t talk nonsense—wait until Tang Ball King’s three-year term is up. Then see who dares to complain.】

…

Time moved to April; unfortunately, Shandong Taishan ultimately failed to defeat Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and lost the chance to face Al Hilal.

Wang Dalei’s poor performance in that match also sparked ideas among many fans.

“Da Lei, go to Yokohama F. Marinos now, or you won’t even play in the USMNT!”

“Train in Japan’s J1 League, Da Lei, please!”

“Keep going, Da Lei—you’re China’s best goalkeeper!”

No matter his performance, in Taishan fans’ eyes, Wang Dalei remains the sole and best choice for China’s national team goalkeeper.

Wang Dalei responded to the fans’ chants with applause.

Whether or not to join Yokohama F. Marinos still requires more time for consideration.

…

China Central Television! This is live coverage of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League Final: Al Hilal versus South Korea’s Ulsan HD. Let me introduce the starting lineups!

“First, Al Hilal!”

Al Hilal (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Bounou

Defenders: Theo Hernández, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Kalidou Koulibaly, João Cancelo

Midfielders: Milinković, Tang Ye (c), Malcolm

Forwards: Salem Al-Dawsari, Aleksandar Mitrović, Salman Al-Faraj

Head coach: Jorge Jesus

“Al Hilal from the Saudi League—this season’s top favorite to win the AFC Champions League.”

“Yes, due to Tang Ye’s presence, most viewers are already familiar with Al Hilal, but let me still update the live audience.”

“Al Hilal is exceptionally unique: this season, only four matches remain, yet they haven’t lost a single game.”

“Not lost a single game?”

He Wei feigned surprise—though it was for broadcast effect. He obviously knew everything about Tang Ye’s team.

“Yes, including the league, the Saudi King’s Cup, and the AFC Champions League. In the AFC Champions League, Al Hilal hasn’t just remained unbeaten—they’ve won every single match. They’ve defeated every opponent in every AFC Champions League game this season, without exception.”

“So if Ulsan HD wants to win the title, they must defeat Al Hilal by at least three goals after losing the first leg.”

…ssss…

This final seems impossibly difficult for Ulsan, this Korean team?