Soccer: If they're using these kinds of cheats, what's the point of training?

Although Auxerre had obtained test videos and data from Sport Cover, as the team's technical department, they still needed to have their own set of data that they had personally tested, so they sent Zhang Kuang to test it with them.

Meanwhile, Jonathan went to the head coach's office with Jean Fernandez. After inviting Jonathan to sit down, Fernandez asked his assistant to bring coffee.

After his assistant closed the door, Fernandez waved to Jonathan, indicating that he could speak, but then suddenly made a gesture to interrupt.

"Let me go first. 'Arrogant,' you pronounce it like that, right? It certainly fits my requirements. But please, don't ask for too much, otherwise I'll have to give up no matter how tempted I am. You know what kind of team we are; being broke is our defining characteristic. Okay, you can speak now."

Jonathan gave a wry smile: "Mr. Head Coach, you've blocked all the conditions I could set for my terms. How can I negotiate?"

You've tested Zhang's abilities. If I were to sell a player of this caliber to you for a pittance, how do you think the industry would laugh at us? Would any other promising players dare to come to our company in the future?

So, I had no choice but to take him to another team. I believe other Ligue 1 teams are willing to pay. If other Ligue 1 teams don't, then we'll go to Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, etc.

Fernandez quickly waved his hand, "OK, OK, OK. As long as you don't go too far, you state your conditions first, and we'll see."

Jonathan: "I'm happy to tell you that the transfer fee is zero, which means you don't have to pay a transfer fee. Also, if you want to sign Zhang, a weekly wage of €1.5 wouldn't be unreasonable, let alone the top salary, right? And then there's the goal bonus..."

Fernandez: "Are you sure you want 1.5 a week? That's the highest salary in our team. Are you sure a newcomer wants that salary? My boss will chop me up."

"Is this really that outrageous? A Champions League-level striker doesn't even earn 1.5 a week? Wow, then we're really going to become a laughing stock."

Jonathan shook his head and said.

"No, if you offer this kind of salary, it will disrupt the salary balance within our team. Our top scorer Yellen will probably immediately ask for a raise, and then problems will arise within our team."

This salary is definitely not acceptable. How about this: please state any other requests you have, and I'll discuss it with the boss and then we can negotiate further.

"Fernandez said."

Jonathan shrugged. "If this doesn't work and that doesn't work either, then forget it. Besides, you can't make the decision anyway, so why don't you let your sports director or general manager talk to them?"

By the way, we have an appointment with Serie A team Florence the day after tomorrow. AC Milan is also short of strikers, and I believe they will be interested as well.

Furthermore, Mr. Head Coach, how long do you think a player like Zhang can stay with your team? He might be sold for a high price after half a season. Do you think we won't consider that? Are you expecting to get all the benefits?

No transfer fee, ridiculously low wages, and then after helping you win the championship, they still let you make a fortune in the transfer market? You think you get all the good stuff? Why should you?

Fernandez lit a cigar and exhaled a puff of smoke.

"No, I don't have that much ambition. I'm just considering the team's salary balance and financial situation. Besides, Florence and AC Milan might not be able to give me a starting position."

"Ha, you think someone with Zhang's skill level has no problem securing a starting position?"

Fernandez exhaled a long puff of smoke. "Wait a moment, I'll go ask the boss."

Jonathan pulled up his sleeve and checked the time.

"Hurry up, I can wait at most half an hour."

"Hmm, very good."

……

Zhang Kuang returned to the locker room, took off his training clothes, and used a cleaning spell to clean himself up.

Just as he was about to leave, a man appeared at the door—Captain Humbert.

Humbert walked in, sat down on the bench opposite Zhang Kuang, crossed his arms, and looked at Zhang Kuang.

"Your name is Zhang Kuang?"

"Yes."

"Where did you play football before?"

"China U20".

Humbert paused for two seconds, then nodded: "You played very well today. No, I should say you played exceptionally well."

"Thanks."

"But to be honest with you," Humbert stood up, "Ligue 1 is different from training. It's more physical, faster-paced, and the defenders here won't give you the space to shoot like Grishdin does."

Zhang Kuang looked at him, did not refute, and nodded.

Humbert patted him on the shoulder: "If you come, our defense will be much more relaxed - because you will help us keep the opponent's defenders in the attacking third."

But let me tell you first, Yellen is the team leader, and when you arrive, you'll need to learn how to work with him.

"I came to the team to play football, not to be the boss," Zhang said arrogantly.

Humbert glanced at him and smiled. "That's good. Welcome, and I hope to see you again in the locker room soon."

He reached out and arrogantly shook hands with her.

---

When they left the training base, Anthony was waiting in the parking lot to take them to the train station.

No one spoke much on the way. Jonathan kept texting, while Anthony drove in peace, and Zhang Kuang kept looking out the window.

This place is too small. He's a little worried that if he really came here to play football, he would be bored. There's no suitable training ground for him. This place is neither too close nor too far from Paris.

The straight-line distance is 180 kilometers, while the highway distance is 200 kilometers. It takes two hours by train and about two and a half hours by car.

If you live in Paris, the daily commute will take up four or five hours, which is not worthwhile.

But if we don't come here, it seems...

Zhang Kuang was a bit conflicted. Damn it, this dual cultivation couldn't be done with his own hands. If he could do it with his hands, then it would be fine anywhere.

Once they arrived at the train station and said goodbye to Anthony, Jonathan finally smiled at Zhang Kuang.

"You played very well today. Their head coach and team are very keen on you. I had a preliminary talk with them, and the chances are very good. How about it? Are you satisfied with all of this?"

"Is the team still here?"

"Hmm? Is there anything you're not satisfied with?"

"The team is okay, but this place is too small, and I'll feel lonely."

"Hmm? Lonely? You have many teammates, and besides, there are cities, shopping malls, and so on here."

Zhang Kuang shrugged and remained silent. What could he say? Tell Jonathan that there were no beautiful women he wanted here?

Jonathan: "So what do you think? Do you want to join this club?"

Zhang Kuang: "We'll see. If there's really no better place to go, then I'll have to come. But I don't want to stay here any longer; half a season should be enough."

"OK, I understand."

On the train, outside the window stretched the endless fields of Burgundy, the sky was low and the clouds were thick.

Zhang Kuang took out his phone and sent Aisha a message:

[The trial is over. I have an extra game tonight. You guys go wash up.]