Chapter 351: Chapter 30: Rules

“What does Chen want to say?”

“Is it about his birthday coming up?” Marcelo’s words drew a chorus of playful insults from the other players, but some of them began to seriously contemplate the feasibility of this idea.

For example, Higuain…

“Seems like my last interview troubled him.”

“I heard in China, people expect gifts for their birthdays because they love saving money.”

“How about I give him some gold bars? Or a football made of pure gold? He would probably like that!” Higuain murmured to himself. Since January 2007, Higuain had been with Real Madrid for nearly three years.

His competition had shifted from superstars like Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy to Benzema, Morata, and Negredo.

He felt that when the team played a 442 formation, he could absolutely secure a starting spot.

Because…

Even though his hair had thinned a bit, and his hairline had receded slightly, he believed he got stronger along with the baldness!

Most players didn’t take this meeting seriously until they noticed the coaching staff also came, making them sense a bit of “danger.”

Pellegrini sat down with an expression of calm wisdom.

Standing at the front was the new figurehead in the dressing room, Chen Zhong.

The players, each with their own thoughts, began to focus, trying to figure out the true purpose of this meeting.

Some players with more divergent thinking started wondering if Chen Zhong was finally going to take a part-time coaching role, or perhaps address some of the recent rumors.

Soon, everyone had arrived.

Francesco was the first to speak, reading out the starting lineup for the upcoming game against Atletico Madrid.

This starting list surprised everyone.

Real Madrid 442:

Benzema, Higuain:

Marcelo, Alonso, Chen Zhong, Kaka

Alvaro, Albiol, Pepe, Ramos

Goalkeeper: Casillas

When the players in the dressing room made some noise, Pellegrini, who was sitting calmly until now, couldn’t help but show a little joy at his mouth corners.

This starting lineup was entirely arranged by him.

Yes, although it was under Chen Zhong’s “supervision,” it was written by him personally!

The biggest controversy in this lineup was Negredo’s exclusion, Marcelo’s advanced position, along with Granero’s omission and Callejon being on standby.

Negredo, the team’s number 9 player, is notably one of Spain’s few powerful forwards. If used as the spearhead for ending attacks in the front, he would be a good choice.

But currently, Real Madrid is being built around Chen Zhong.

Overall, honest Benzema has more talent in playing the supporting role, while Higuain’s mobility is more distinguished compared to Negredo. Neither would overlap positionally with Chen Zhong, especially when Chen Zhong charges forward for a header attack.

Benzema and Higuain can better complement Chen Zhong.

Benzema would clear his position for Chen Zhong, while Higuain doesn’t like face-to-face confrontations, leaving the “hard fight” for Chen Zhong’s strong hitting.

If it were Negredo, due to personal dynamics, he would lack the politeness shown by the other two.

Moving Marcelo forward had always been a desire for Pellegrini, given his unease with Marcelo’s defense. Especially after Chen Zhong “refused” to be a sit-back defensive midfielder, rather than having Marcelo make alarming plays as a left-back, it’s better to push him to a left-winger position to create problems for the opponent.

He could also provide good assists to Chen Zhong, a perfect balance.

Because of Marcelo’s advanced role, Alvaro naturally took the left-back position, and Granero couldn’t compete with Kaka for the right-wing position, resulting in both Callejon and Granero being left out.

Of course, this arrangement also had Pellegrini’s little thoughts.

That is, “You wanted me to make the list, right? So I’m just objectively doing my job!”

After Francisco read the list, Negredo cast a slightly resentful glance at Chen Zhong, Granero’s smile faded, showing no emotion, while Callejon seemed restless, as if ready to jump up at any moment.

Since the new season started, Negredo secured a starting position, and Granero gradually got stable playing time, but Callejon seemed like a forgotten warrior.

Thought he was finally going to have his day, yet now…

They all looked to Chen Zhong, seeking an answer from him.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“The team’s starting lineup isn’t made by me.”

“Our team has a head coach who will draft the list based on the team’s training status, tactical requirements, and players’ conditions.”

Chen Zhong’s voice was firm, and Pellegrini sat up straight in cooperation.

“In our team, there are no absolute starters.”

“All positions must be earned through one’s efforts, and everyone has a fair chance to compete!”

“Even if it’s me, if I perform poorly and slack off in training, I’m willing to sit on the bench or even not be included in the squad.”

“You must realize something; this is Real Madrid, where every player around you is incredibly talented.”

“If you don’t work hard, someone more diligent will replace you.”

Negredo and Granero’s expressions flickered; Negredo indeed hadn’t been as hardworking as Higuain or Benzema in training. Higuain strives, aiming to secure his position in both the club and national team due to competition; he needs to work hard.

Benzema, being new, needs to put in the effort to be noticed by the coach.

Compared to them, Negredo relaxed after being given significant responsibility following Chen Zhong’s return, lacking a sense of crisis.

Granero was in a similar situation.

Unlike Negredo and Granero, Callejon was a bit misunderstood. He was diligent in training, but favoring his right foot and preferring the right side made him awkward on the left, leading to his exclusion from the starting lineup.

As they listened to Chen Zhong’s speech in the meeting room, the players began to understand Chen Zhong’s message.

Pellegrini’s little feelings began to dissipate, too.

Chen Zhong aims to establish a fair, just competitive atmosphere that includes himself.

He hopes the players are motivated, with adversaries and goals.

He doesn’t want them to remain stuck in their “comfort zone” due to current “stability.”

Chen Zhong’s speech this time set the rules, and the players responded quite positively.

Negredo, Granero, Marcelo, among others, felt the urgency, while Benzema, Higuain, and Callejon gained motivation and targets.

A positive competition ethos began to form within Real Madrid’s dressing room.

In the foreseeable future, under Chen Zhong’s prolonged reign of ten, even twenty years, Real Madrid’s dressing room will maintain this positive competition, keeping players highly motivated and aware of challenges.

It might even become a passed-down spirit or locker room culture.

…

Florentino was promptly informed of the outcome, smiling at his confidants around him, while Zidane’s eyes also flashed with a trace of appreciation.

The tight schedule focused the media’s attention on the looming “City Derby.”

Atletico Madrid came in full force, vowing to erase the embarrassment of not winning against Real Madrid over the past ten years.

Aguero even made bold statements before the match, challenging Chen Zhong.

Clearly, he still remembered the scores to settle with Chen Zhong.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep