After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

The dust had barely settled from the Bundesliga matches when, as usual, news of Hoffenheim's resounding home victory over Mainz sent ripples through the football world.

But this time, what stirred up the biggest waves was not the result of the competition itself, but the 17-year-old boy named Yan Yuan.

Yes, he scored again, and twice at that.

Add to that his "cold-blooded" last-minute winner against Liverpool in the Champions League qualifiers, his "crazy debut" in the first round of the German Cup where he single-handedly dominated, and his amazing performance of scoring twice against giants like Bayern Munich...

The season has just begun, and Hoffenheim's number 17 has already been gilded by the eyes of countless European scouts and the flashing lights of German media.

This enthusiasm, despite the vast distances, spread back to China without any hindrance.

Especially just over ten days ago, on September 5, 2017, the Chinese national football team was defeated 2-1 by the Qatari team at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The moment the final whistle blew, it meant that another attempt to qualify for the World Cup had come to a complete failure.

A bitter feeling permeated every corner of China where people care about football.

Anger, disappointment, numbness... all sorts of emotions accumulated, and against this heavy backdrop, Yan Yuan's continued brilliance on the German field seemed particularly dazzling, igniting a complex and urgent hope.

Yan Yuan's name appeared with unprecedented frequency on major sports forums, online communities, fan groups, and in the live broadcast rooms of football anchors with millions or even tens of millions of fans.

Late at night, Wang Yunqi, the "rational anchor," was still broadcasting his live stream.

He had just finished showing a highlight reel of Yan Yuan's two goals against Mainz, and the screen froze on Yan Yuan's wild celebration. Almost all the comments on the screen were about the word "naturalization".

"Hey, look at Yan Yuan! His form! His talent! And he's only 17!"

"Is Yan Yuan's father Chinese? Is this even feasible?"

"Qi Hai's analysis: If the national team had him, would they still have to worry about their attacking line?"

Wang Yunqi cleared his throat, his expression solemn and tinged with helplessness:

"Everyone, to be honest, seeing Yan Yuan's performance, I feel both happy and sad."

It's gratifying that a child with Chinese blood flowing through his veins can gain a foothold in the world's top leagues and perform at this level; this is a tremendous achievement.

The frustrating thing is... it seems like this kind of talent has nothing to do with us now.

He pulled up some photos and continued, "According to official information, Yan Yuan was born in Birmingham, England in 2000. His father is Chinese and his mother is of English descent."

He currently has no record of representing any national team, which is one of the prerequisites for naturalization.

He paused, then changed the subject, becoming more realistic:

"However, let's not forget a few key points. First, he is only 17 years old and has a bright future."

Wouldn't the England national team see this? His mother's side is of British Chinese descent, so it's perfectly reasonable for him to represent the England youth team.

Given his current performance in the Bundesliga and Champions League, the FA will definitely not let him go. The platform, guarantees, and future development opportunities they offer are simply incomparable to what the current Chinese national team can provide.

A string of "sigh" and "heartbreaking" comments floated across the screen.

Wang Yunqi then analyzed:

"Second, naturalization is not a trivial matter; it involves procedures, willingness, and costs."

The most important thing is what Yan Yuan himself thinks.

He grew up in the European football system. Can he adapt to the Chinese national team system, or can the Chinese national team system adapt to him?

Do you think he would be willing to give up the opportunity to represent England and join a national team that can't even qualify for the World Cup finals, faces a complex media environment, and is under immense pressure?

This choice itself is extremely important for any young player's career planning. His voice was simple, yet every word hit the nail on the head.

"So we can't just look at the immediate pleasure. I think what he needs most right now is stable development, to play for a few more years at Hoffenheim under Nagelsmann, and to lay a more solid foundation."

Everyone knows the current state of the national football team... If we bring him back, but then injure him or hinder his development, that wouldn't be helping him, that would be harming him.

Wang Yunqi's statement is reasonable and well-founded.

Unlike the rational and restrained atmosphere in Wang Yunqi's live stream, the atmosphere in Zhao Laosan's live stream, representing "abstract football," was much more explosive.

Zhao Laosan was gesturing wildly in front of the camera, with the background music turned up to an energetic dance track:

"Holy crap! Did you guys see that?! Yan Yuan stabbed Mainz twice more! Like he was slicing vegetables! How old is he? 17! 17, guys! That footwork, that shooting feel, is a million times cooler than when I was playing pickup football!"

The screen was flooded with comments:

"Third place! National football team! Naturalization!"

"The Football Association will definitely bring Yan Yuan back!"

Zhao Laosan slammed his fist on the table, spitting as he spoke:

"Naturalization?! Of course we should naturalize! What are we waiting for? His father is Chinese! So he's Chinese! Is there anything wrong with that logic? I don't see anything wrong with it! Those bastards in Qatar can use so many plans, why can't we plan for our own children?"

He mimicked the goal-scoring motion: "Look at the national team now, their lack of attacking power is mind-boggling! If we had Yan Yuan, his forward support, his acceleration, and his final shot would be unimaginable."

But then, a rare look of seriousness appeared on Zhao Laosan's usually comical face:

"However, brothers, calm down! Listen to what I'm saying! Yan Yuan is in Germany now, and he's a rising star! Judging from his current starting percentage, Coach Nash is treating him like his own son. He gets guaranteed playing time and has a high tactical status."

He's only 17, just started playing, and is in a crucial developmental stage. Think about it, bringing him back at this critical juncture and stuffing him into this national team where everyone seems lost, to play some meaningless friendlies or... well, who knows when the next qualifiers will even be...”

He himself got stuck, and his expression became quite comical:

"Think about it again. If the Football Association really brings him back, and he suffers from culture shock, his performance declines, he gets injured or sick, or he gets so angry that he becomes withdrawn... I, Zhao Laosan, will be the first to go to the Football Association's gate and unfurl a banner that says 'Give me back Yan Yuan,' believe it or not?!"

So we can't act impulsively! We have to take things one step at a time, like eating a meal one bite at a time, and playing football one step at a time. Yan Yuan needs to focus on developing his skills in Germany; that's the most important thing right now.

Zhao Laosan grinned crookedly and continued:

"So my final advice is that we should keep thinking about it and dream about it, but we shouldn't make a big deal out of it or put too much pressure on the kids."

Online, two voices are clashing sharply:

"We're connected by blood; we must assimilate him! We can't let this genius escape!"

"Let their child develop in peace; coming back now would be ruining their future."

"England is eyeing it covetously. It'll be too late once the Three Lions take it; they'll have no one to blame but themselves!"

"Look at the environment in which the Chinese national football team is playing; do they even deserve to be compared to others? Don't waste promising young talents!"

Yan Yuan's outstanding performance at Hoffenheim was like a spark that instantly ignited the wasteland of Chinese football after missing out on the World Cup.

The core of the debate among fans is this: Will this talented young man with Chinese blood don the national team jersey, or will he be snatched up by European giants and the England national team?

Meanwhile, far away at Hoffenheim's training ground, Yan Yuan, the young man at the center of the storm, was still receiving the ball from his teammates again and again, repeating the tedious practice of positioning, receiving the ball, changing direction, and shooting.

The uproar and turmoil in the country seemed to be separated from him by a transparent barrier; Yan Yuan remained focused on himself.

……

The atmosphere in the office of Pierre, the youth academy director, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, was somewhat somber.

He had just hung up the phone with sports director Enrique, and it seemed that two more strands of hair on his sparse forehead had fallen out from worry.

"Gentlemen, Enrique's meaning is very clear," Pierre shrugged at his young data analyst assistant, his tone tinged with weariness and a hint of barely perceptible helplessness.

"That kid named Yan Yuan... Hoffenheim's number 17. After reviewing nearly a month's worth of reports and videos, Mr. Enrique believes he deserves to be 'reclaimed,' and it must be done as soon as possible."

The word "recycling" rolled around in his mouth, carrying a condescending tone unique to Paris, as if he were not buying players, but recycling something that should have belonged to them in the first place.

The assistant adjusted his glasses and handed over a thick folder:

"Pierre, the data doesn't lie."

Over the past month, we've followed all of his Bundesliga appearances, his Champions League match against Liverpool as a substitute and the highlight reel, his crazy debut in the German Cup, and of course, his continuous highlights in the Bundesliga.

Goals, assists, key passes, pressing success rate... all positive statistics are soaring every 90 minutes, and the consistency far exceeds that of his peers.

Nagelsmann has absolute faith in him and has given him a lot of freedom, and he hasn't let him down. Now, quite a few clubs are eyeing this newly unearthed gem.

Pierre sighed, rubbing his temples. "I know, I know... I've reported all of this to Enrique."

He recalled the video of the match against Bayern Munich, where Yan Yuan skillfully maneuvered past a world-class center-back and calmly fired a shot; the burst of inspiration he witnessed in that instant made his heart tighten.

This child has indeed undergone a complete transformation compared to before.

The Asian boy with average skills, average physique, and limited potential who was in the youth training camp has long since disappeared.

Instead, a seeded star player emerged, brimming with confidence, making exceptionally rational decisions on the ball, and becoming increasingly composed under pressure.

"Enrique said we made a mistake back then, we misjudged him," Pierre said with a wry smile.

"Now he needs to correct this mistake as quickly as possible with a buyback program, which can at least salvage the club's image from its misjudgment in talent assessment."

Pierre emphasized the word "misjudgment," with a strong sense of self-deprecation. That's how the executives of top clubs are; they only correct mistakes, they never "admit them."

"But the problem is..." the assistant asked cautiously, "What about the buy-back price? Hoffenheim isn't stupid. Yan Yuan just signed this summer, and his performance on the field..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear: if you buy now, you'll definitely get ripped off, and not just ripped off, but ripped off badly.

Pierre waved his hand and said, "This is not something we consider. Enrique only said it was worthwhile; he didn't give specific figures. That's a headache for the finance department. We are only responsible for providing assessment reports and recommendations."

"Well... Pierre... but the bigger headache," the assistant added, "is that we have absolutely no idea... whether the child himself wants to come back?"

Pierre fell silent; that was the crux of the matter.

Who was it that ruthlessly removed him from the youth training camp roster, leaving him to seek meager trial opportunities in a foreign country, almost ruining his professional career?

It's Paris Saint-Germain, that's them.

That wasn't just a simple departure; it was being truly eliminated, deemed unworthy of the Paris jersey.

What did that experience mean to a 17-year-old boy who loved football?

How bitter is the feeling of being rejected and completely abandoned?

Pierre, as the head of youth training, was well aware of its importance.

He knew very well that Yan Yuan was highly valued at Hoffenheim. Nagelsmann treated him like a treasure, his teammates relied on him, and the fans liked him.

Back in Paris, even with the promise of "special training," what kind of environment would that be?

A constellation of stars: Neymar, Mbappe, Cavani... How much competition and psychological adjustment must a 17-year-old kid, who was once removed from the team and then returned, face?

Even if they successfully buy him back, can Paris Saint-Germain give Yan Yuan the same unwavering trust and patience as Hoffenheim?

The answer is definitely no.

That's what he thought, but he had to carry out Enrique's orders.

Pierre quickly picked up the phone and dialed the number provided by the scout, which belonged to Yan Yuan's father and agent, Yan's father.

The phone rang a few times before being answered. A steady but slightly aloof middle-aged male voice came through: "Hello?"

"Mr. Yan? Hello, this is Paris Saint-Germain Football Club. I am Pierre Moreno, the head of the youth academy." Pierre spoke in English, trying to make his voice sound professional and friendly.

"Mr. Pierre, hello, what can I do for you?" Yan's father's voice was flat, without any particular warmth.

"That's right..." Pierre cleared his throat, carefully choosing his words, but Enrique's underlying tone that "the buyback was a favor to that kid" inevitably influenced his phrasing.

"Our club's management, especially the director, has been paying close attention to the remarkable progress and outstanding performance your son Yan Yuan has made at Hoffenheim recently."

He paused, trying to find a starting point that wouldn't seem too abrupt:

"To be honest, everyone in the club is pleased with Yan Yuan's tremendous potential and rapid growth. After all, he was once a part of our youth training camp."

There was silence on the other end of the phone, with only a faint static sound.

Yan's father did not respond to the remark about "having been a member of the youth training camp".

Pierre, forcing himself to speak, continued: "Based on these encouraging performances, and considering the potentially brighter future he may have at Paris Saint-Germain, our club, after careful evaluation, has decided to demonstrate our utmost sincerity and unwavering commitment to Yan Yuan and you."

We hope to buy him back.

"Repurchase?" Yan's father's voice rose slightly, but his emotions were unreadable.

"Yes," Pierre didn't notice the subtle change in Yan Donghai's tone, or perhaps he chose to ignore it.

"This is an important decision, meaning that the club regards Yan Yuan as a future star with extremely high value."

We will dedicate resources to providing him with a development platform that best matches his talents, in a top-notch environment and under the guidance of renowned coaches.

Returning to the bigger stage of Paris Saint-Germain will be of immeasurable help in accelerating the rise of his career. Pierre packaged the "sense of charity" conveyed by Enrique as "opportunity" and "importance," his tone still carrying a hint of the superiority complex that comes from a wealthy family.

Another silence followed, longer and more oppressive.

Then, Yan's father's voice came through, as calm as if they were discussing what to have for dinner:

"Mr. Pierre, thank you Paris Saint-Germain for your attention and appreciation of my son."

"It's what we should do!" Pierre relaxed a little upon hearing the "thank you." "So, regarding our willingness and initial thoughts on the buyback..."

"I heard your thoughts." Yan's father interrupted him directly, his voice still calm, but carrying a hint of anger.

"But Mr. Pierre, my son is 17 years old. He is not a commodity. The word 'repurchase' sounds very harsh to us parents."

Pierre choked: "Uh... Mr. Yan, that's not what I meant, we..."

"I understand what you mean." Yan's father interrupted again, speaking slowly but clearly, "Paris Saint-Germain is a world-class club, that's beyond doubt. However, regarding transfers and future plans, this is not something I can decide on my own."

Pierre quickly replied, "Of course!! Of course!! We can arrange a meeting to discuss this in detail..."

"There's no need to arrange anything so quickly," Yan's father said calmly.

"I am first and foremost Yan Yuan's father, and only secondly his agent."

I know very well what happened back then, and I know even more clearly how upset my son was on his last afternoon in Paris.

Therefore, I hope you can understand that the key to this matter is not what your club thinks, nor my opinion as an agent, nor even the price.

He took a deep breath, and a hint of barely perceptible protectiveness and determination finally crept into his usually calm voice:

"The key is... what my son thinks."

His future depends on his own decision. I must ask him first and respect his thoughts and choices. He is currently in Germany, where he has his own training and competitions, and I cannot make any promises at this time.

Let me talk to my son first before we discuss it.

Before Pierre could offer any more reasons about being from a wealthy family or make any empty promises, Yan's father had already cleanly and decisively ended the call:

"We can end the call now, Mr. Pierre. We'll contact you again if we have any updates. Goodbye."

"Beep...beep...beep..."

Hearing the cold dial tone on the phone, Pierre stood frozen at his desk, mouth agape, receiver in hand.

This "sincere" repurchase journey encountered a cold and hard reef on the other end right from the start.

This reef stems from a father's heartache for his child and his genuine respect for the child's independent choices.

The office was unusually quiet, with only the hum of the air conditioner breaking the silence.

Pierre slowly put down the phone, leaned back wearily in his chair, and gazed out the window at the silhouette of the huge stadium.

He knew that Enrique would certainly not be satisfied with this result, but he also realized with more helplessness that the arrogant self-righteousness of the wealthy families seemed to have little effect on Yan Yuan's father.

He was starting to regret taking on the task; it was likely to cause a lot of trouble.

"Sigh..." Pierre sighed deeply.