Godfather Of Champions

Chapter 194: The Future Of Youth Players Part 1

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The meeting with Gerard Pique Bernabeu had been arranged at the same restaurant.

Speaking of Pique's last name, almost all Real Madrid fans would find it extremely familiar; it was the last name of Real Madrid's legendary Chairman, Santiago Bernabeu. The only thing was that Pique was not related to Real Madrid's Bernabeu in any way. Instead, his grandfather was the ex-vice chairman of Barcelona. This made people feel that Pique should be exceptionally loyal to Barcelona. But that was not really the case.

Pique loved Barcelona a lot, but he also knew that his own future should be prioritized before all else.

The young Pique still retained some semblance of a child's looks, and his most distinguished feature was his thick lips. Standing at a height of just over six feet, Pique also stood out in a crowd with his height.

When Tang En got news that Pique wished to speak face to face, he already knew that his journey to Barcelona this time had succeeded at least halfway. If Pique had steeled his resolve to join Manchester United, then he wouldn't have agreed to meet Tang En in the first place. Although Pique's agent, Canales, who was behind him, helped out greatly, the most crucial determining factor must have been Pique's thoughts.

Tang En could see this from his memories of Pique giving up on Barcelona to go to Manchester United. Gerard Pique was indeed someone who was very assertive.

"Pleased to meet you, sir." Pique, who was only seventeen years-old, did not appear nervous at all. Perhaps it was due to him growing up in a powerhouse football club from a young age, which had probably caused his confidence to be much higher than that of others his age. "After Mr Canales passed your message on to me, I felt that there was room for discussion."

"Of course." Tang En smiled and continued, "I expected it." That was definitely the case, seeing how this meeting was worth twenty thousand pounds!

"Well, sir, you know… Manchester United has already contacted me, and they've moved me with their sincerity," Pique said with his brows furrowed together. His facial expression was so serious that he looked as though he was the agent, while Canales had become the translator.

"Yes, I know about that. Manchester United may have expressed their sincerity, but we here at Nottingham Forest are sincere as well. Look, we've made a trip down to Barcelona especially for you." Tang En spread his hands and continued, "Please believe that our sincerity towards you won't lose to any other club."

Pique nodded his head lightly, but did not say anything else.

Tang En knew that it was his turn to speak. "I know the reason why you chose Manchester United and not Arsenal, despite the fact that your good friend is there. But I have to point out that in England, Manchester United and Manager Ferguson are not the only ones that hold young players in high regards. There's still us, Nottingham Forest. If Mr. Canales has briefly introduced to you to Nottingham Forest's situation last season, you will know that the majority of our team's core players are very young. I know, Nottingham Forest's reputation right now cannot hold a candle to Manchester United's, but we have an advantage that they don't have. May I ask you, Gerard, if Manager Ferguson's representative has promised you anything?"

"He promised me the future," Pique answered.

"Very good, very good. Manchester United has promised you the future, and I don't think that they are lying. But Nottingham Forest can promise you the present." Tang En extended one finger and said, "The reason for me coming all the way to Barcelona is not just to invest in Nottingham Forest's future. You already know; Nottingham Forest has already successfully advanced into the UEFA Europa League, and we need to participate in many different leagues and championship cups. Therefore you don't have to worry at all about not being able to play any matches once you come over to Nottingham Forest. If you go to Manchester United, what can the present-you get? Youth team matches, reserve team's matches one year later, being loaned out two years later to continue to accumulate experience, because the main team still won't have a position for you… Do you think I'm exaggerating?"

Pique did not answer.

Manchester United and Barcelona were both considered powerhouses, and Pique knew very clearly what a powerhouse's main team looked like. How many powerhouses out there really valued their youth team's talents? While Barcelona's La Masia youth training grounds was considered one of the best in Spain, and it had indeed nurtured many outstanding young players. But how many of them actually made it to the main team?

Why did Fabregas choose to leave the team, and head to the cold, gloomy, dampness of London? Others might not know, but how could Pique, Cesc's best friend, not know?

Barcelona's new chairman, Joan Laporta, in a bid to achieve good results as soon as possible and further stabilize his position as the chairman, would rather believe in spending huge amounts of money to buy famous football stars from other teams, than believe in giving young players a chance.

Fabregas's departure made the youngsters of La Masia see their futures. Just like that, Arsenal's star of hope became the role model for those people. He made everyone reconsider their futures if they stayed with Barcelona. Aside from Pique, there was another person who was also hesitating about his career as a professional footballer. That person was none other than the Barcelona C team's captain, Francisco Merida.

If Barcelona was in that kind of situation, what about Manchester United, a fellow powerhouse? If Barcelona did not give opportunities, would Manchester United be any different?

The center-back is a very special position. Unless the core center-back player was injured, there weren't many managers who would be willing to casually give a seventeen year-old child an opportunity. The stability of the backline defense was something that was especially important to powerhouses, who needed immediate results. What if Pique had chosen Manchester United, and by the end of three years was still unable to play for the main team, and could only play on the field when he was on loan to other clubs, just as Tang En had described? Would his current decision still be correct?

Players usually grew the most between the ages of seventeen and twenty-two. If they played in too few matches, then the player would stop improving. The common reason behind the stagnation of countless geniuses was largely due to their lack of match experience.

Manchester United was a powerhouse, which meant that for the sake of results, they could channel more money to the transfer market and buy mature players. In that case, how many opportunities would the team give a young player?

Although Nottingham Forest was a small team, there were also some advantages to being a small team. And that was the ability to give young players the room for growth that they required, as well as the their willingness to give the young players more opportunities to play in matches. Although the characteristic of lacking the financial ability to purchase those expensive famous football stars remained the sorrow of small clubs, it worked out great for young players.

Thinking about it in that way, Tang En's position as the manager of a newly-promoted team was very advantageous.

And Tang En was definitely not being an alarmist. As someone who had been through it, Tang En was very clear about Pique's future at Manchester United…. During the 04-05 season, he played for Manchester United's youth team in the FA Youth Cup. 05-06 season, he was loaned out to Real Zaragoza FC, a club playing in the La Liga. As per the contract, Pique had to be sent out to play at least twenty-times. At the start, Real Zaragoza was still unwilling to send Pique out too many times, and instead often only sent him out for the sake of counting it towards the required twenty. For the 07-08 season, Tang En did not know what would happen, but he felt that Ferguson still would not give Pique many chances. That was because Rio Fernando and Nemanja Vidic's positions as the core players of the team were very secure, and no manager would casually break up a center-back duo who coordinated so well with each other, just for the sake of nurturing a newbie whose future was still unknown.

Ferguson would not know about Pique's future achievements, and the same could be said of Tang En. However, from Pique's performance over the next three years, he knew very well that the season during which he was with Real Zaragoza was sufficient to see the youngster's abilities. Not only could he play as a center-back, he could also play as a right-back; and if the situation necessitated, he could be deployed midfield, and play as a defensive midfielder. Of course, that would only be a temporary substitute, and not a long term plan.

Seeing that Pique had gone silent, Tang En knew that Pique must be hesitating inside. As such, he decided to strike while the iron was hot. "You won't get any chances at Barcelona, and being in Manchester United will only be slightly better than that. But if you join Nottingham Forest, you can immediately get the chance to play. I don't think there's anything better than that. Moreover, We are a team that will be participating in the UEFA Europa League. What are you hesitating for, Gerard?"

Regardless of which aspect Gerard looked at, the conditions offered by Tang En were the most favorable for him. Gerard would not be given opportunities to play at Manchester United and Barcelona; when the time came, in order to ensure that he played in sufficient matches, they would have to loan him out. He would be sent to a team from a lower league, and the same fate awaited him for the next season as well. If he wanted to play as part of the main team, it would require taking into account lots of various aspects.

Pique continued to remain silent. However, Tang En did not rush his this time. Instead, he leaned back against his seat and sipped his drink casually.

Canales lowered his voice and said a few words to Pique, and they continued to discuss something in Catalonian. Tang En did not understand what they were saying, but he knew that it must be related to the current issue that Pique was facing.

Tang En's guess was spot-on. Pique was asking his agent, "Since I've already decided to leave Barcelona, is going to Manchester United or Nottingham Forest, which came out of nowhere but has better conditions for me, better?"

The moment Canales thought about the thirty thousand pounds waiting for him once the mission was accomplished, he immediately, without hesitation, recommended that Pique choose Nottingham Forest. His reasoning also sounded very convincing. "Gerard, I feel that Nottingham Forest is much more beneficial towards your future development. Since Mr. Twain over here has promised to give you sufficient matches to play in, I believe that he is being serious. The significance of this period of time to you is something that you definitely know better than me. Playing in more matches is the most important thing. Since Manchester United will still loan you out even if you join them, why not go to a team that will give you a core position on the main team? Moreover…" Canales shot a look at Tang En, before telling the player he was representing, "When your contract is up, you may also choose to go to bigger teams, and win even more glory. Nottingham Forest is only a stepping stone for you."