Chapter 556: Chapter 555: Kay’s First Goal for Manchester City
Manchester City fans call this the essence of the team.
But the media think it’s more about the sensational moves that Deng Kai and Manchester City made in the summer bringing in loads of attention.
However, such benefits can’t last for long.
Especially when City is struggling to secure a win.
If City loses this game,
Then it would be good if even thirty thousand home fans show up for the next home match.
Four o’clock in the afternoon.
Maine Road Stadium, packed with crowds.
The game is about to start.
Newcastle United, a team with a glorious history, had previously been linked with Kevin Keegan, who was once the manager of Leeds United.
In the future, Newcastle United will be acquired by one of the world’s top Saudi consortia, becoming another wealthy brother.
This season, Newcastle has bolstered their squad.
Jonathan Woodgate is Newcastle’s top signing for the summer transfer window, with a fee of over fifteen million euros.
Their star midfielder Jermaine Jenas has been selected for the England team this year.
Twenty-year-old Jermaine is considered one of the most talented young midfielders in England.
His competitiveness is no less than that of the slightly older Lampard and Gerard.
Let’s translate that... You know, a British Empire Star!
Before the game, Jermaine stated in an interview that his task for this match was to completely suppress Deng Kai, and he believed he had the ability to do so.
As a competitor to Lampard and Gerard, Jermaine has that confidence.
And that’s what the English media thought as well.
"Sky Sports" had this to say, "The league is different from cup competitions. Cups are full of uncertainties and test the limits of teams and players. The league, on the other hand, really shows the bottom line of a team, a player."
"Once you have a fatal weakness, you’ll be beaten by all your league opponents."
"The quality of the Portuguese League isn’t enough to spot Deng Kai’s shortcomings. But in the Premier League, one of the world’s top leagues, once Deng Kai’s weaknesses are found, City will struggle to win!"
"Plainly speaking, Deng Kai’s true level isn’t much higher than Jermaine’s. Jermaine is already one of the most outstanding talents of this age, and Deng Kai’s performance in Premier League football won’t be better than Jermaine’s."
...
"Hello everyone, I’m Huang Jianxiang, and this is Zhan Jun. We’re delighted to bring you the commentary for this Premier League broadcast."
"Let’s take a look at Manchester City’s starting lineup first, huh, Lehmann is still not starting. This is somewhat unexpected, as everyone thought that City’s starting goalkeeper would be Lehmann."
"Lehmann did indeed get the number one jersey for the team, but... currently, it’s Cech who’s taking part in the matches."
"What exactly is Maxa planning?"
"Today, Manchester City is going with a 433 formation."
"The three forwards are Baggio, Adriano, Ribery."
"The three midfielders are Yaya Toure, Essien, Deng Kai."
"Lahm, sister-in-law, Hierro, Maicon."
"Alright, I’ll let Zhan Jun introduce the rest to everyone."
Zhan Jun is numb.
He looks at Huang Jianxiang.
You didn’t prepare for Newcastle’s data, did you?
Is this the quality of a Keegan fan?
"Er, it looks like Zhan Jun isn’t quite ready. After all, he’s an intern commentator, so we hope everyone can be understanding. Young people need..." Huang Jianxiang forcibly dragged on until the beginning of the match, "Okay, now it’s Manchester City with the ball..."
Newcastle: ???
Newcastle: Don’t we get to be on TV?
Newcastle: You didn’t really skip the research, did you?
Peach: I did check, but the Transfermarkt to English to Chinese translation had too many errors, and proofreading took too long. No need, they’re not a big team anyway.
"Goodness! Lahm’s speed is incredible!"
Despite all the banter, Huang Jianxiang’s commentary is no joke.
"As an outstanding left-back, Lahm carries on Italy’s proud tradition! The spirits of Facchetti, Cabrini, and Maldini seem to have possessed him at this moment!"
Zhan Jun: "Mr. Huang, Lahm is German."
Huang Jianxiang smiled slightly, "Of course I know, but as fullbacks playing in the same position, how could Lahm and Grosso not communicate with each other? He understood the essence of the Italian left-back through Grosso!"
While they were talking, Lahm had already completed a wing-play combination with Baggio.
Newcastle players immediately marked Baggio from behind, not giving him the chance to find Lahm.
Premier League teams might be rough, but with years of experience playing with wing crosses, they do have insights into defending the flanks.
Bang!
Baggio passed the ball back to Deng Kai.
Bang!
Deng Kai met the football and, mid-movement, flick passed it with the outside of his foot without stopping the ball!
Newcastle’s Jermaine Jenas, strong in both attack and defense, knew Baggio was most likely going to pass to Deng Kai, and that Deng Kai would look for Lahm, so he had moved into position early.
But Deng Kai’s flexible handling exceeded Jermaine’s predictions.
You anticipated, but it was of no use.
"Lahm! Lahm successfully receives the ball! Going to the baseline...Many people don’t understand why Lahm could become the starting left-back for this team, but now do you see?"
"Lahm’s offensive attributes are just too strong."
"Even though Grosso is also quite good in the attack, his speed and agility are incomparable to that of Lahm."
"Cutting inside! Lahm could make a baseline cross, but there are no defenders around him, cutting inside could pose even a bigger threat!"
"This also reflects Manchester City’s orientation for fullbacks."
"Maxa has granted the fullbacks great offensive freedom."
Bang!
Having drawn out a defender, Lahm, once inside the box, made a backward triangle pass.
That was the reason for his cutting in.
If he hadn’t cut inside, he could only cross.
But with cutting inside, a sweep, breakthrough, shot, backward triangle... that’s four threats!
Bang!
At the top of the box, Deng Kai, who had just delivered a long diagonal pass, hastened forward and unleashed a moving burst shot!
A moving burst shot!
The football went straight into the top corner of the goal!
"GOAL! It’s a goal! It’s finally a goal!"
"Beautifully played!"
"Ladies and gentlemen! Manchester City’s first goal of the season is here!"
"Deng Kai from the top of the penalty area with a world-class shot, starting his Manchester City career with a bang!"
"Ladies and gentlemen! Deng Kai’s Manchester City, officially unveiled!"
The Maine Road Stadium erupted in applause!
After scoring, Deng Kai spread his arms wide and spun around on the spot, paying homage to all the fans.
Teammates came over to join in the celebration.
"Great run, Lahm!"
"Baggio, my idol, your pass was sheer brilliance!"
"Adriano, excellent movement off the ball!"
"Ribery, that’s it, stay wide, provide the width for the team!"
Deng Kai kept praising his teammates.
As if they all scored the goal.
The crucial part was, he effortlessly switched between multiple languages when he spoke to them.
The director specifically recorded this scene.
Because it concerned a very important, yet often overlooked point... language!
