The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 353 We Should Play Brotherly Football

In the second round of the Premier League, Manchester United will face Chelsea at Old Trafford.

This match is a key game in the Premier League.

On one hand, it's a battle between the Reds and the Blues; on the other hand, Mourinho has just returned to Chelsea, and one of his transfer targets is Manchester United striker Rooney.

She even kept flirting with Rooney.

To be fair, Rooney and Moyes have never had a good relationship, especially after Moyes came to Manchester United in the summer and stated that Rooney was Van Persie's alternative for the center forward position, which brought both old and new grudges to the surface.

In the Premier League opener against Swansea, Rooney also refused to join his teammates' goal celebrations, appearing particularly out of place.

This gave Chelsea an even greater opportunity.

Before this match, their initial offer was only £2500 million, plus some additional clauses, which Manchester United naturally rejected without hesitation.

Of course.

Some English media outlets have also suggested that Mourinho's attempt to entice Rooney was not genuine, nor was he truly determined to acquire Rooney; rather, it was a ploy to disrupt Manchester United's morale and negatively impact Moyes's start to the season.

In a pre-match interview, Mourinho explicitly refuted this point, saying, "I can't understand that view. We want to strengthen every position, which is a very normal idea. From goalkeepers to midfielders and playmakers, we have already done that, and now it's the same for the forwards."

and,

Mourinho also believes that Manchester United's fear of selling players to domestic rivals is an outdated concept.

"These are all old-fashioned mindsets. For example, I won't sell players to my country's rivals. It doesn't help the market. Sometimes you should keep them in the country rather than sell them to foreign leagues."

Look at Italy, this happens all the time in Serie A, and there's no problem with it. A player can move around between Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma, and Juventus.

Look at Inzaghi, he played for Juventus and Milan. Among top players, only Totti stayed with one club from start to finish, and Pirlo played for Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus.

then,

This match is going to be interesting.

When the starting lineup was announced, everyone noticed that Rooney's name was among Manchester United's starting lineup!
No one expected that Moyes would start Rooney.

The British media, known for stirring up trouble, also noticed that Rooney and his teammates wore different long sweatshirts during pre-match warm-ups. This subtle difference was seen as evidence of a strained relationship between Rooney and his teammates.

The media said that this game was really difficult for Rooney. He was at odds with Moyes but had to play for him. Mourinho had been pursuing him, but today he had to confront him on the field. The relationship between them was really complicated.

More importantly, Mourinho fielded a strikerless formation in his starting lineup today.

It seems like the Portuguese manager is playing mind games with Manchester United, telling Rooney that this position belongs to him!
One fan said, "Rooney won't be appreciated no matter what. If he plays well, people will say he's showing off his skills to Mourinho. If he plays poorly, people won't say Rooney is just a double agent."

Some even went so far as to ask, "If Rooney scores today, will he kiss the Chelsea crest?"

Anyway, there's plenty of work to be done.

The competition itself wasn't as exciting.

The match ended in a 0-0 draw.

Rooney's performance was arguably Manchester United's best.

In the 28th minute of the first half, Rooney received a pass from Cleverley and took a shot, which was caught by Cech.

In the second half, Rooney made another brilliant pass to Welbeck, but Welbeck wasted the opportunity and shot the ball high.

However, the most exciting moments were Cech's two powerful long-range shots in the 65th and 78th minutes. If it weren't for Cech, they might have had a chance to successfully launch a surprise attack.

Rooney's two shots were among the few threatening shots Manchester United had throughout the match.

Regarding Rooney's performance, Lineker commented, "Rooney was simply everywhere on the pitch, and Manchester United simply cannot afford to lose him."

Mourinho also revealed after the match: "Normally, fans would boo a player before he leaves, but this is a special club with special fans who have always supported him. Perhaps he has already considered staying at Manchester United."

However, some fans still tried to sow discord, with one saying, "Did you notice that Rooney didn't seem to pass the ball to Van Persie today?"

Moyes relented after Rooney's performance.

"I'm very happy with Wayne's performance, and the fans' attitude towards him is also pleasing. This was not unexpected; I expected it to be like this."

and,

Moyes did more than just talk about Rooney's performance in this match.

He also revealed that Rooney's daily training was not affected by the transfer rumors: "His attitude in training is absolutely great. Everyone should look at him. Wayne is a role model in this regard. I think his attitude is absolutely positive and upright now. I don't think he needs to make any changes. He has shown that tonight."

This can be considered giving them a way out.

After returning to his Carlton apartment and reading these reports, Gaio once again felt that the English media were no good.

Therefore, this is more suitable for someone with Mourinho's personality.

after all,

He really dares to speak his mind!

Because he had searched for news about the European Super Cup, Gaio wanted to see what was going on with Bastia's opponent, Bayern Munich, after they changed coaches.

Gaio then saw the news about Mourinho's sharp comments on Guardiola.

Last season, Bayern Munich demonstrated unparalleled strength both domestically and in European competitions, achieving a 4-0 victory over Juventus and a 7-0 thrashing of Barcelona, ​​thus securing the treble with overwhelming force.

Head coach Jupp Heynckes retired with the highest honors a coach can receive.

however,
Since Guardiola took over at Allianz Arena, the Spanish coach, who was determined to bring about new changes to the team, has found it quite difficult to make progress on the road to reform.

Mourinho clearly wouldn't let go of this former rival. "Last season, Bayern under Heynckes was the strongest team in Europe. Now, they have a new coach and new players, but I'm not sure if they are still as good as before."

In other words,
Mourinho may believe that Bayern Munich was almost perfect last season, both in terms of squad and tactics.

But after Guardiola arrived at the Allianz Arena, he changed the team's foundational 4-2-3-1 formation and strongly advocated for the signing of his trusted confidant Thiago.

Not only did it fail to elevate Bayern Munich to a higher level, it actually weakened the team considerably.

Such remarks.

This also drew criticism from some Barcelona and Bayern Munich fans.

but,

Mourinho probably doesn't care about these things.

Although Gaio knew that Mourinho's era had come to an end, his achievements in the previous few years were indeed "amazing"!

in addition,

The goalless draw between Chelsea and Manchester United tonight was somewhat acceptable to the fans.

Manchester City's away defeat was unacceptable to many Manchester City fans.

This can be considered the biggest upset since the start of the new Premier League season.

Cardiff City, making their first ever Premier League appearance, defeated Manchester City, and in a comeback victory no less – who would have thought?

South Korean star Kim Bo-kyung created the equalizer, while Chinese-Canadian owner Vincent Tan secured the team's first Premier League victory since acquiring it.

As an aside, Kim Bo-kyung isn't exactly a big-name star in South Korea, but Chinese fans are certainly familiar with him.

This summer, Kim Bo-kyung appeared at the Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium during the 3rd Asian Dream Cup Charity Football Match, which Park Ji-sung participated in with Korean celebrities Yoo Jae-suk and Lee Kwang-soo.

It's just that probably no one expected it.

Two months later, his opponent changed from the Shanghai veterans team led by Fan Zhiyi to Manchester City, whose lineup is one of the best in the football world.

Despite facing stronger opponents, Kim Bo-kyung's performance stood out even more.

South Korean stars Lee Chung-yong and Park Ji-sung dominated the English Premier League for many years, while Kim Bo-kyung is also a skilled winger, capable of playing on both flanks.

He possesses both speed and high-quality crosses, which is why he was recruited into the national team by Huh Jung-moo just one year after entering the professional arena.

In this match, Kim Bo-kyung, despite his team having few attacking opportunities, broke through multiple players in succession and delivered a cross, helping Cardiff City score a crucial equalizer.

I have to add my two cents.

Cardiff City's owner, Vincent Tan, is a Malaysian Chinese and the uncle of Carol Chu, the wife of Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau.

By that calculation, he could be considered Andy Lau's uncle.

Of course.

Gaio only treated these news items as news; what he was really concerned about was the European Super Cup at the end of the month, and whether Bastia could put up a fight against Bayern after his departure.

This summer window.

This summer, Bastia earned over €100 million in transfer fees by selling players, setting a club record, with Gaio taking the lion's share.

With Kanté included, the total is already 9000 million euros.

Sidibé also left.

Gaião's transfer broke the record for the highest transfer fee for a young player sold by a French Ligue 1 team, and made this small Mediterranean team an overnight sensation among European scouts.

With Rothen's retirement and the return of several loaned players, Bastia has undergone a major squad overhaul.

In the goalkeeper position.

At Gaio's suggestion, Chatham signed a new goalkeeper, Oblak, from Benfica for €600 million.

Damian Martinez wanted to stay in Bastia, but Arsenal refused to let him go.

Then Chatham also poached a technically gifted midfielder, Sastre, from Barcelona's youth team, hoping to make up for the loss of De Bruyne.

Simultaneously,

They also brought in a Croatian, Perisic, from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.

The deal cost 1500 million euros.

He was the top signing for Bastia during the summer transfer window.

Furthermore, there were no new signings that incurred transfer fees.

Both are free transfers, and Chatham is doing everything he can to keep Mane and Van Dijk in the team.

These two players have already been targeted by many teams.

But Chatham's sincerity convinced them to stay.

In the new season, Hagi Begic's team can field a decent formation for now.

Khazri, who was Lukaku's backup last season, can play as a striker.

For the wing positions, Mane and Perisic.

The midfield was already stretched thin, so Kahusac stepped up, along with Vançon and new signing Sastre.

In defense, right-back Klose got a chance, while center-backs Van Dijk, Anguilla, and Joplin remained the core of the team and rotated in, and left-back Palmiri dropped back.

Goalkeeper Oblak.

Then the bench consists of some free agents.

For Bastia, this lineup is a great example of getting a lot done with a little money.

Bastia's income is actually not that high.

Of Gaio's 80 million transfer fee, 20% was a signing bonus that was deferred in Gaio's contract.

In addition, Bastia has tens of millions of dollars in debt.

Player bonuses.

They want to renovate the training base, the youth academy, and even the Cesarí stadium.

Even with all this, the money isn't enough.

New season.

Bastia has Champions League commitments, but the team is clearly more pragmatic.

I won't do things beyond my capabilities.

It would be good enough if they could maintain their competitiveness in Ligue 1.

Silent all night.

the next day.

The morning light shines on the Mersey River, and the surface of the water ripples with gold.

Liverpool seemed to wake up a little later than usual on Saturday after a passionate night, but the whole city was filled with a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.

There were noticeably more pedestrians wearing red Liverpool jerseys on the streets.

They gathered in twos and threes in front of the newsstand on the street corner, pointing excitedly at the huge photo on the front page of the newspaper of Gaio with his arms outstretched after scoring the winning goal.

As the bus drove by, the Liverpool FC crest stickers on the windows were particularly eye-catching in the sunlight.

At Albert Dock, a group of jogging fans slowed down, wiping their sweat as they excitedly reviewed the moment: "The way he passed the first person was like dancing!"

"I thought it was definitely going to be a pass, but he managed to cut in again!"

"And that final powerful shot was really cool! It went so far, but the ball was going so fast that the goalkeeper didn't even have a chance to react!"

"He's really handsome!"

Laughter and chatter drifted in the damp river breeze.

In the café, the rich aroma of coffee mingled with the scent of freshly baked croissants.

Several elderly fans sat by the window, the front page of the Liverpool Echo on the table prominently displaying the headline "Gaio the Conqueror!"

“I’ve been watching football for over forty years,” an elderly gentleman with gray hair said to his companion, taking a sip of coffee. “From Kenny to Steven, we’ve been waiting for the next person who can truly decide the game, and now, I think we’ve found him.”

His friend across from him nodded vigorously, pointing to a close-up of Gaio in the newspaper: "Look at this kid's eyes, he's only 18! Terribly calm! Give him time, be patient, he will become the new king of Anfield. Just think, he's only played two games!"

The official LFC Store in the city center is busier than usual.

The red jerseys printed with "Gueho 10" became the most sought-after items, with a short queue forming at the checkout counter.

A father was bending down to put a new number 10 jersey on his young child. The little guy excitedly twisted his body, imitating Gaio's arms outstretched in celebration.

Even the pigeons strolling in the square in front of St. George's Hall seemed to be enjoying this rare weekend tranquility and joy.

Every corner of the city seemed to be warmed by the lingering warmth of last night's game-winning goal.

This is different from the wild celebrations after winning the championship.

Victory in this league brings a more lasting and tangible sense of happiness.

A last-minute victory is enough to make this city, where football is in the blood, enjoy the entire weekend.

And they eagerly await the next match.

In England's ever-present, inescapable rain.

The next match has arrived as scheduled.

December 27th,
Anfield Stadium.

In the second round of the English League Cup, Liverpool will host Notts County from League One.

Since the opponent was not considered strong, and Gaio felt slight muscle tension after his last-minute goal in the previous round, Rodgers, as a precaution, excluded him from the squad for this match, giving him a complete rest.

Despite missing their star player, Liverpool still controlled the game thanks to their strong overall strength.

Facing a lower-league opponent, Liverpool played with composure and ultimately won easily 4-1, advancing smoothly.

For Liverpool fans...

Besides showcasing some young players from the youth academy, there was another person in this match.

He is also a player that many people are looking forward to.

Ngolo Kanté.

He did not make an appearance in the first two rounds of the Premier League.

In this match, when the score was already 3-1 in the 70th minute, Rodgers substituted Henderson with Ngolo Kanté.

The fourth official on the sidelines raised the substitution board.

The French defensive midfielder is about to make his official match debut in a Liverpool jersey.

Kanté stood at the sideline and took a deep breath.

Rogers put his arm around his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Ngolo, relax, do as we've trained, protect the area in front of the defensive line, and handle the ball simply."

Kante instinctively turned to look at the bench, but the figure was nowhere to be seen.

He then turned his gaze to the stands behind the substitutes' bench.

He grinned and smiled.

There, Gaio gave him a thumbs-up and a bright, sunny smile.

At that moment, Kante instantly relaxed, and all the unfamiliarity and tension he felt on his first appearance in the Premier League seemed to vanish with that familiar smile and gesture.

Henderson came down and hugged him, saying, "Keep it up."

Kanté nodded vigorously, turned around, and stepped onto the Anfield pitch.

His first appearance for the Red Army has officially begun.

now,

The on-site commentary also introduced Kanté.

"New signing N'Golo Kanté, who made his debut for the Reds, may be a little unfamiliar to Liverpool fans, but if you follow Gaio, you'll know who Kanté is."

He was the key defensive midfielder who played alongside Gaio at Bastia last season, miraculously winning the treble of Ligue 1, Europa League and French Super Cup.

Kante's characteristics are very unique; his value is often not reflected in his dazzling dribbling or spectacular long-range shots.

If you only glance at the game occasionally, you might not even notice his presence.

But if you watch the entire 90 minutes carefully, you'll find that he's everywhere.

The ironclad midfield defense he built with veteran Rothen was the cornerstone of Bastia's success.

Unlike traditionally tall and aggressive defensive midfielders, Kante is not tall and even looks somewhat thin, but his defensive intelligence, amazing anticipation ability, and all-around running make him an invisible barrier in midfield.

He can always get into position just before the opponent's passing lane appears, intercepting the pass in the simplest and most effective way.

Liverpool signed him for just €1000 million, thanks in no small part to Gaio's strong recommendation.

Otherwise, given his status as a key player in the treble-winning team and his growing position as a key defensive midfielder for the French national team, this price would be considered a robbery.

Let's see if this 'invisible' football maestro can continue his understated yet crucial performance in the Premier League.

Against lower-level opponents, Kanté's performance was simply a case of overwhelming them.

Kante's performance after coming on was composed and very impressive.

In midfield, he continued his tireless running and precise interceptions, repeatedly disrupting the opponent's attacks, and connecting the team's offense and defense with concise and efficient passing.

The Anfield stands also gave him an encouraging round of applause.

Not to mention his interception ability.

This willingness to run tirelessly deserves applause.

Liverpool fans love players who give their all in every game!
This spiritual attribute.

Fans in the stands joked, "Kanté looks like he should be a Liverpool player!"

The outcome of the match was a foregone conclusion.

Liverpool defeated Notts County 4-1 at home, successfully advancing to the next round.

the next day.

morning.

The atmosphere at Melwood training ground was relaxed after the team successfully advanced to the next round of the EFL Cup.

After a simple recovery workout, the atmosphere in the locker room was more lively than usual.

Yet it also carried a hint of haste before parting.

As Gerrard tidied up his belongings, he said to Gaio, who was changing his shoes, "Young, when you go to the national team this time, remember to take it easy. Don't use your thigh muscles to swing the ball as hard as you did last time."

His tone carried the concern of an older brother, then he added half-jokingly, "Speaking of which, if you had left Bastia later in the summer, you might have won an extra European Super Cup medal by now. Aren't they playing against Bayern this year?"

Gaio tied his shoelaces, looked up, and gave a relaxed and confident smile. "Steven, I believe that the Bastia brothers can do just as well without me. They are a real team."

His words contained no regret, but rather were full of trust in his former teammates.

At this time,

Henderson walked over carrying his luggage and chimed in, "You're right, Yang. Right now, our focus is on the World Cup qualifiers. Everyone has a mission."

His gaze shifted to the quiet Kanté beside him. "Ngolo, you and Young go back to the French team together; it'll be good to have someone to look after you."

Kant nodded shyly and replied simply, "Mm."

Gerrard looked at his teammates who were about to go their separate ways, clapped his hands, and a sense of responsibility as captain welled up within him: "Alright, lads, an international match day means scattering to all corners of the world to serve your country. It's an honor, but also a responsibility. But I have only one request—"

His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Gaio. "Stay healthy, return fully fit, and Liverpool's journey continues with you back."

Coutinho chuckled and interjected, "Don't worry, captain! We'll come back with three points and healthy bodies!"

Laughter and farewells filled the locker room.

The red jerseys were temporarily put away, and in their place were the luggage of their respective national teams.

A few hours later.

On a flight to Paris.

As the plane climbed, Gaio gazed out the window at the receding cityscape of Liverpool.

Suddenly, he said to Kanté beside him, "N'Golo, do you remember what I said in the Bastia locker room? We need to prove ourselves on a bigger stage."

Kant looked out the window, nodded slightly, his eyes resolute: "Remember, now the stage is bigger."

Gaio smiled as well.

Yes, the stage is bigger now, so there's an even greater need to prove oneself!
When the plane arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport, the national team staff were already waiting there.

We boarded the special car heading to Clairefontaine.

Familiar scenery flashed past the car window.

Gaio's mind was racing, and two faces seemed to be reflected in the car window.

One photo shows that somewhat rebellious young boy from back then.

The other picture shows the now more composed and determined number 10 player.

The experiences of the past two years—the Bastia miracle, Liverpool's record-breaking transfer, the shock of his debut, the ecstasy of the last-minute winner—flashed through his mind like scenes from a movie.

soon.

The car arrived in Clairefontaine, and Gaio snapped out of his thoughts.

The commotion at Anfield has subsided for the time being. At this moment, he is the captain of the French national team, carrying the expectations of his compatriots.

Deschamps was already waiting at the door, wearing a blue training uniform and a bright, undisguised smile on his face.

Upon seeing Gaio get out of the car, he immediately strode forward to greet him.

"Yang! Welcome back, my captain!"

Deschamps' voice was loud and joyful. He opened his arms and gave Gaio a firm hug, patting him hard on the back.

After the hug, Deschamps put his hands on Gaio's shoulders, pushed him away slightly, and looked him up and down carefully, his eyes full of appreciation and satisfaction.

"That kick at Anfield, the whole coaching staff and I watched it! My God, it was incredible! Well done, kid!"

Gaio smiled too. "Thank you, Didier. It's always nice to be back here."

“It’s more than just being happy,” Deschamps said enthusiastically as he put his arm around Gaio’s shoulder and led him into the building. “The momentum you’ve brought is crucial! Giroud and Rafael arrived a long time ago and were watching your goal with great interest before training. Your return to the team in this condition is a huge boost to the team’s morale!”

His tone became slightly more formal, but still full of trust: "Alright, we can celebrate later. Get settled first, and then we'll meet in the meeting room. This qualifier is crucial, and we need you to immediately focus your energy on the new battle. I believe you're ready."

“Of course!” Gaio nodded, his eyes resolute.

World Cup!
This is also a much bigger stage!

Even the biggest stage!

Gaio led Kanté toward the rest area.

Then I met some great teammates.

"Hey! Look who's back! Our captain!" Giru was the first to open his arms and give Gaio a good bear hug.

He exclaimed in surprise, "That game-winning shot of yours was insane! I was so shocked when I watched the replay that I jumped off my chair!"

Varane walked over with a smile, gently punched Gaio on the shoulder with his fist, and said with genuine admiration, "Young, that kind of shot is simply inhuman."

Gaio laughed heartily in response to their hugs and teasing.

At this moment, Payet and Ribery also gathered around. Payet imitated Gaio's goal celebration, while Ribery joked in heavily accented French, "Kid, now all of France is talking about you, you're almost more famous than me!"

Giroud laughed, "Haven't I already surpassed you? How dare you compare your popularity with Gaio?!"

Hahaha!
This drew laughter, creating a relaxed and lively atmosphere.

Gaião put his arm around Giroud and Varane's shoulders, lowered his voice, and said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Seriously, brothers, you should all come to Liverpool. We should play real brotherly football, wouldn't that be amazing! Imagine the three of us teaming up, who in the Premier League could stop us?"

Giroud burst into laughter upon hearing this, vigorously ruffling Gaio's blond hair: "Haha, you should help Liverpool win a championship first! But... it does sound pretty good!"

Varane smiled and shook his head, but a hint of reverie flashed in his eyes.

He was more composed and spoke with thoughtfulness: "Yang, your suggestion is very tempting. It would be fun to play football together, but you know, these things are complicated. However, if the opportunity really comes one day, why not?"

At this moment, Payet chimed in, "Hey, hey, hey! You guys are plotting to defect to the Premier League right in front of me? What about those of us who stayed in Ligue 1?"

His words drew an even louder burst of laughter.

night.

Inside the tactical conference room at Clairefontaine, the lights were dimmed and the projection screen lit up.

Deschamps stood in front of the screen, the red dot of the laser pointer landing on the European map, his tone calm and focused: "Our goal is very clear—to qualify directly for the Brazil World Cup as the group winner."

The laser pointer circles the group standings.

“We are currently at the top of the group, and our advantage lies in our superior head-to-head record against Spain. This means that as long as we win all four of our remaining matches, we will secure the top spot in the group regardless of Spain’s outcome.”

The red dot moves to the next two opponents.

"On paper, we are definitely superior to Georgia and Belarus, but playing away from home, the climate, the field, and the opponent's counter-attack are all variables. My goal is to make zero mistakes and take all six points."

Deschamps turned off the projector, turned on the lights, and his gaze swept over each player before finally settling on Gaio.

"The problems we showed in the summer were very clear: a lack of consistency in attack, as evidenced by our goal drought in the preseason friendlies. Yang, I still have only one requirement for you: when the team is struggling to break through, you must dare to use your individual abilities to solve the problem."

Gaio nodded.

Deschamps looked at the whole team and emphasized, "This is not an easy journey, but there should be no easy words on the road to the World Cup. I believe that with our strength and cohesion, we can win every point we deserve. Any underestimation of our opponents or any slackening is a betrayal of this blue jersey. Do you understand?"

"understand!"

The team members responded in unison, their eyes filled with determination.

After the meeting.

As soon as Gaio stepped out, he saw Montbael waiting in the conference room corridor, waving at him with a smile.

(End of this chapter)