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

(Please remember to leave your thoughts at the end of the article, as this will affect the later plot.)

Two days later, in Nyon, Switzerland, the draw for the Champions League Round of 16 took place.

In the conference room at Hoffenheim's training ground, the coaching staff and players sat around the screen watching the live draw, the atmosphere so quiet you could hear them breathing.

Yan Yuan sat in the front row, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knees; he was also very nervous.

When the slips of paper with "Hoffenheim" written on them were drawn and paired with "Porto," a small cheer and applause erupted in the meeting room.

Assistant coach Kramer slammed his fist on the table: "Great draw! A really great draw!"

Head coach Nagelsmann also wore a rare relaxed smile, and he turned to his assistant coach beside him and said:

"Porto is experienced, but not invincible. They are an ideal opponent for our young men who are playing in the knockout stage for the first time. We still have a chance."

The players all breathed a sigh of relief.

For Hoffenheim, a young team making its first appearance in the Champions League knockout stage, avoiding traditional top giants and drawing Porto, a team also considered a strong second-tier side, is indeed a favorable draw.

Although the pressure remains, Hoffenheim now has at least a bit more hope on their way to the Champions League final.

However, with the winter transfer window approaching, a new battle has begun: the transfer war.

Almost as soon as the Champions League draw results were finalized, Hoffenheim's transfer department, and Mr. Yan, who was in England, were inundated with phone calls and faxes from all directions.

Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, ​​Juventus...

Behind each of those resounding names are the probing inquiries and questions from scouts, sporting directors, and even club presidents, representing the highest level of dominance in European football.

The core issue for these top clubs is only one: the possibility of transferring Hoffenheim's number 17 player Yan Yuan and the initial offer.

Preliminary quotes marked "Top Secret" were delivered to the desks of Chairman Hope and Sporting Director Rosen.

As is well known, Yan Yuan has already played in the Champions League group stage for Hoffenheim due to UEFA rules.

Therefore, even though Yan Yuan transferred during the winter transfer window, he will not be able to represent his new club in the remaining Champions League matches this season. However, this will not stop the big club from making early plans and being determined to win.

They are interested in this 17-year-old double top scorer's present, but even more so in his future, which is clearly visible and has unlimited potential.

Even if the price is agreed upon during the winter transfer window, it's still possible to formally sign the contract during the summer transfer window.

Of these clubs, Manchester City made the most aggressive offer, throwing out a bid of up to 1.5 million euros, which was like a bombshell, leaving director Rosen somewhat dizzy.

Before the 2017-2018 season, €1.5 million could have bought most of the Hoffenheim club.

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid followed closely behind, with offers exceeding 1.2 million euros.

Manchester United, Chelsea, and Barcelona have all made tentative offers that have come close to or even exceeded the €1 million mark.

Juventus in Serie A are relatively cautious, but the terms they have offered are extremely generous.

Faced with this astronomical figure that could instantly change the club's financial situation, Hoffenheim's decision-makers felt unprecedented pressure and temptation.

A transfer fee of 1 million euros is a dream come true for Hoffenheim, something the club has never seen before in its history.

After several days of closed-door internal discussions, Hoffenheim chairman Hopp realized that this had gone beyond mere economic matters and that it was necessary to hear the voices of those at the center of the storm.

Thus, a high-level internal meeting was held in the administrative conference room at the Hoffenheim training base.

Chairman Hope, sporting director Rosen, technical director, financial director, and other senior club officials were all present.

Head coach Nagelsmann sat to the right of Hopp, and Yan Yuan sat next to him. Special participants in the meeting included Yan Yuan's agent, who was connected via video link on the big screen.

To accommodate Yan's father, who is not fluent in German, the entire meeting was conducted in English.

The meeting began.

Chairman Hope got straight to the point: "Yan, and Mr. Yan (towards Yan's father on the screen), I've invited you here today to have a frank discussion about the current situation. You're probably aware of the rumors and offers circulating outside."

With the winter transfer window about to open, although the rules restrict Yan Yuan from playing for his new club in the Champions League, this does not prevent us from discussing his future transfer direction and specific timing.

The club's attitude is open, and respecting the players' personal wishes is the core principle.

Of course, we also need to consider the best interests of the club's development. Let's first hear Mr. Nagelsmann's perspective.

Nagelsmann was already confident, saying, "As Yan's head coach, I can say with certainty that those numbers are large, but for Yan, I don't think they're enough."

These words surprised the executives present.

Nagelsmann offered even more compelling reasons:

"He's only 17 years old, and his stats in less than half a season are phenomenal. What you see are the stats, but what I see is potential."

His learning ability, court wisdom, and composure beyond his years are invaluable assets.

Selling now is "realizing" the deal, but it's definitely not "paying a premium." The Champions League knockout stage has just begun, and the second half of the league title race is entering an even more intense phase.

Nagelsmann glanced at his beloved student beside him and continued,

"If he can continue to perform like this, especially on a bigger stage, his value will explode again in the summer. I think it would be a strategic mistake to sell our core asset at a low price too early."

Nash's viewpoint is extremely clear: [Withstand the pressure, drag it out until the summer transfer window; maximizing the club's interests is secondary. He believes more that Yan Yuan can create greater value on a bigger stage.]

Next, everyone looked at Yan's father on the screen, as it was his turn to speak.

On the screen, after listening to Nash's speech, Yan's father nodded seriously and said,

"First of all, on behalf of Yan Yuan, I would like to thank Hoffenheim for their unreserved support and trust in him. This will always be where his professional career takes off."

Regarding transfers, I share some of the same views as Coach Nagelsmann; a summer transfer window would indeed be more ideal.

As his father and agent, my primary responsibility is to protect Yan Yuan's long-term development, not only in terms of his athletic career, but also in his life and future plans.

In mid-October, Yan Yuan submitted his academic forecast to Imperial College London, hoping to continue balancing his high-level professional football career with his studies at a prestigious university.

This is no easy task. I've discussed this issue in depth with him several times, and he wants to choose a club that can understand and support his special needs.

Father Yan paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. He was about to announce Yan Yuan's plans, and looked at Yan Yuan.

Yan Yuan nodded to his father.

Then Yan's father continued:

"Taking into account academic resources, club stability, future development path and competitive style, my son would prefer a Premier League club if he were to transfer during the summer transfer window."

Especially considering commuting to school and familiarity with London, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham would be relatively pragmatic choices.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the conference room focused their attention on Yan Yuan.

Hope spoke gently to Yan Yuan.

"Yan, you are the main character today. Your thoughts are the most important. Putting aside all external conditions, what are your inner thoughts? What are your plans for the future?"

Yan Yuan sat up straight, his gaze clear and calm. His words lacked the excitement or vanity common among young people, instead displaying a wisdom beyond his years:

"Thank you to the club, thank you to the coach, thank you gentlemen. Regarding the transfer, the first thing I want to say is..."

I don't have any so-called dream of marrying into a wealthy family.

This sentence silenced the meeting room completely.

Yan Yuan continued:

"I'm not saying Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Bayern Munich, and Manchester United are bad. They are very good. They are all top clubs in their respective leagues, with glorious histories and dazzling legends."

These clubs have produced so many legendary figures: Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka, Beckham, Ribery, Robben, and even Beckenbauer. These superstars all created unparalleled peaks there.

Real Madrid, in particular, have won two consecutive Champions League titles this season and are now aiming for an unprecedented three-peat.

I'm not the kind of person who needs to join the strongest team to prove myself, and I don't want people to say that I chose to join those clubs because I crave championships.

I've never been afraid of challenges. What I want to challenge myself with is creating new history in my own name, rather than living in the shadow of an existing, glorious history.

Yan Yuan revealed his true thoughts:

"I want to go to a club with huge potential, eager to break through, eager to regain honors or build new glory, but that has not yet won the highest honor in Europe."

I want to be one of those who help them reach the pinnacle of European football, and at the same time, I want to create my own legendary story.

I want to be the one who offers help in times of need, not the one who adds to someone's success.

"Therefore," Yan Yuan's gaze became unusually firm,

"If I had to make a preliminary decision among many options, I would lean towards the three clubs in London, and more specifically, I would like to go to Arsenal."

Yan Yuan added specifically,

"My choice is not to say that Chelsea and Tottenham are bad. Chelsea has already won the Champions League in 2012, and the mark of that top trophy is already in their club DNA."

Going to Chelsea, I might win more titles, but to become a new legend, the starting point will be different.

Then there's Tottenham, although Pochettino's team has also had an excellent record in recent years.

But Tottenham... seems to lack a bit of that particular style of beauty that Arsenal developed over decades under Wenger's system?

Of course, this is just my personal subjective feeling, so between Arsenal and Tottenham, I think Arsenal fits my opinion better.

Upon mentioning Wenger's name, Yan Yuan's eyes revealed a hint of respect as he began to speak:

"Professor Wenger has led Arsenal for so many years, adhering to a technical style and developing young players, which is a philosophy I strongly agree with, just like my mentor, Coach Nagelsmann."

Moreover, Arsenal has had its glory days in the Premier League title race, but in recent years they have always fallen short of the highest honor in the Premier League. The last time they won the Premier League title was fourteen years ago (at the end of 2017, the last time was in the 03-04 season), and they have never won the Champions League.

This means that there are enormous challenges there, but also a vast space for creativity.

Gentlemen, that concludes my remarks. These are my thoughts.

Yan Yuan's lengthy statement has come to an end.

A subtle silence fell over the meeting room.

The faces of the executives were filled with astonishment, contemplation, and a barely perceptible hint of admiration.

They envisioned many possibilities: Yan Yuan would be thrilled by Real Madrid's invitation, waver because of Barcelona's call, be tempted by Manchester City's high salary, or go to the Bavarian giants to dominate the Bundesliga...

But what no one expected was that this 17-year-old boy, at the first major crossroads in his life, would so calmly and so clearly reject the worldly definition of the "highest stage".

He chose a thorny path for himself that led him to become a "legend creator" rather than a "legend follower."

Nagelsmann broke the silence first, staring at Yan Yuan, a complex and appreciative smile slowly curving his lips: "I have to say... this is really... unexpected, Yan, you've surprised me once again."

As the person who knows Yan Yuan's abilities on the field best, Coach Nash now has another reason to marvel at his mental maturity.

Sports director Rosen leaned back in his chair, thoughtfully stroking his chin:

"Giving up a so-called elite club that's within easy reach, and choosing a club that needs to rebuild its honor to start the challenge... Kid, your ambition is bigger than I imagined, and your methods are even wilder."

On the screen, Yan's father's eyes shone with satisfaction and pride.

He knew his son had already considered this, but the fact that he could express it so clearly and decisively, with such sound reasoning and a clear goal, still shocked him as a father.

After a long pause, Chairman Hope finally spoke slowly, his voice filled with heartfelt emotion:

"Yan, we Hoffenheim are known for 'creating surprises,' but today, you've made us 'surprise creators' feel the surprise too."

Your thinking is far beyond your age, and even surpasses that of many veterans who have been playing in top leagues for many years.

Mr. Nagelsmann is correct in his assessment of the club's value; but your personal path, your determination, and your vision are undoubtedly even more worthy of respect.

He looked at Yan's father on the screen:

"Mr. Yan, your son's considerations are admirable. We understand his inclination towards Arsenal."

The club's next steps will take into account both the value growth points emphasized by Coach Nagelsmann and the competitive and personal development goals clearly expressed by Yan Yuan.

We will prioritize contacting Arsenal before the next summer transfer window opens to ensure the interests of all parties are protected to the greatest extent possible.

The long meeting finally came to an end.

Stepping out of the conference room, Yan Yuan felt as if an invisible burden on his shoulders had lightened.

He made the choice that followed his heart.

He knew that when this decision was finally made public, it would inevitably cause a huge uproar and a lot of misunderstanding in the football world.

But he believes that Arsenal under Wenger, the Gunners who flow with technical blood and once created an unbeaten season, will be the best harbor to carry his ship.

At that very moment, in London, at Arsenal's Colney training ground.

The highly respected Professor Wenger was unaware that in the remote German countryside, a rising star had already lit a beacon for him and his beloved Arsenal, a beacon that would "create a new legend."

The red thread of fate quietly crossed the English Channel.

(I'd like to ask everyone's thoughts on what to do next. As you all know, Professor Wenger will be leaving after the 2017-2018 season. Do you want to see Professor Wenger mentor Yan Yuan, Emery, or Arteta take over? Feel free to leave your thoughts. Personally, I'd really like to write about Professor Wenger as the main character. Let's discuss it.)