Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Is Sporting Lisbon Picking Up Trash? (Rushing to the top of the new book charts!!!)
Although Veloso’s visit this time resulted in quite the awkward joke,
it also let many people know that he didn’t grow as tall as expected because he indulged too early, too often in that certain activity.
But as the saying goes, it’s never too late for a prodigal to return.
Veloso’s sincere suggestion earned him Deng Kai’s friendship.
The two also exchanged social media accounts.
Currently, Veloso is in an absolute low in his life.
Even in his former life, he had never experienced such a low point.
Because in his former life, this youth derby wasn’t on such a scale, nor did it end with such a score.
Although Deng Kai, the butterfly, hadn’t caused a storm thousands of miles away, the wind he flapped had already affected the little bees around him.
So that day, Deng Kai sought out Trigella and introduced Veloso to him.
"You’re saying, sign Veloso to the youth team?" Trigella looked at Deng Kai in disbelief, "Do you know how badly he performed in that game? He encountered such a disaster in the youth team just because of his height, which first-league team would dare to take him?"
"The average height and physical confrontations in the first-league are only going to be tougher!"
"He’s not like you, he doesn’t have the talent to overcome the limitations of height. And even you, Kai, will actually find it very difficult to draw the attention of the first-league teams in the future, let alone be favored by the powerhouses."
Deng Kai nodded, he was aware of this: "Veloso certainly isn’t suited to play as a center back, but how about midfield? His defense is excellent, and he has a great sense of positioning."
"He also possesses decent passing skills, and his speed is sufficient for the midfield. What was a disadvantage in terms of physicality as a defender becomes an advantage in the midfield."
Trigella furrowed his brow.
It is quite late for someone of his age to switch positions.
It’s like someone who should be dating but hasn’t been in a relationship, who has been single since birth until the age of thirty—they are bound to have some quirks or strange habits.
Veloso, if he could play midfield, why has he waited until now?
"But this way, Benfica will have even more to say," said Trigella. "In the past two years and this summer, we’ve signed players they’ve discarded."
"Veloso is just too high-profile this time. Do you know why no team has taken him yet? Because no one wants their youth training system to be labeled as Benfica’s youth training trash bin."
Deng Kai immediately countered: "A man’s wealth lies in a place of danger. Sir, to be honest, the youth influx at Sporting Lisbon these last two or three years has really been lacking; in our generation, except for Chris, most guys will struggle to play in the Portuguese league."
"Before us, aside from Simon and Quaresma, everyone else has failed to make it. Even Feng Te has barely managed."
"After us, aside from Mutinho, everyone else is visibly mediocre."
"Haven’t you noticed that the talent of young Portuguese players from the year ’81 to ’87 is extraordinarily poor?"
"In two or three more years, Portugal is going to face an Ice Age in youth training. It won’t be just about comparing with the Netherlands, even maintaining the current state is going to be difficult."
"After Figo, Portugal will hardly be able to raise any top-tier stars!"
"In such an environment, Veloso is already top talent. He may not be strong enough, but within Portugal, and in the future Portuguese league, he’s definitely capable! There’s great hope for him to be a main midfielder for Sporting Lisbon in the future."
Deng Kai almost said that if it weren’t for Ronaldo, this period would have been Portugal’s darkest hour.
Trigella didn’t know why Deng Kai was so certain, even alarmist.
However, what shocked him was just that.
As a seasoned veteran in the world of youth coaching, Trigella knew very well the big mistake Portuguese youth training had made over the past five years.
And this period coincided precisely with the gap in Portuguese youth talent that Deng Kai had mentioned.
Different professions have different worlds.
Trigella, more than any other football professional not involved in youth training, understood the problems with Portuguese youth development.
Deng Kai wasn’t the only one to reach this conclusion.
The previous person to draw this conclusion was... Trigella himself!
That was also the reason he left his comfort zone, going from being a beloved, gold-medal youth coach to an assistant coach for the first-team who shouldered various blames, was disliked by the fans, and distrusted by the upper management.
He knew he had to climb the ranks in the coaching industry because Portugal’s youth training was destined to be lackluster for a long time to come, far from a place suitable for fine birds.
"Let him come to the team for tryouts tomorrow!" Trigella eventually gave Veloso a chance.
Watching Deng Kai’s retreating figure, it became increasingly difficult to figure out this little boy.
And Veloso’s tryout can be said to be quite successful!
...
"Breaking News! Sporting Lisbon U15 signs Veloso; he may avenge his old club for his new one after the winter window!"
"Traitor! Benfica fans unveil a banner during the first team game, mocking the fact that the son of the team’s main defender Anthony has signed with Sporting Lisbon!"
"Maxa: We’ve had Veloso for trials, and he’s a very good player. Had it not been for registration issues, we would have been eager for him to play!"
In response, Benfica, whose plans for the first team championship were hindered, reacted strongly.
"Benfica youth director: Veloso has no talent whatsoever. Had it not been for his father, he should have left here last year!"
"Benfica sports manager: Veloso joining Sporting Lisbon won’t affect us at all. Sporting always picks up the garbage we don’t want. I even think we should pay them some money because they’re more like our trash collector!"
In response to Benfica’s mockery, Sporting Lisbon quickly reacted.
Trigella: "There is no absolute gap in strength among most young players; they all have their own characteristics, and the key to youth training is how to properly develop these characteristics."
"Some players look like they should be center-backs, but their qualities determine that they will shine in other positions."
"Benfica’s youth system is inferior to ours, even though they have better raw talent, but they fail to maximize the players’ potential. It pains me as a youth coach to see so many talented players wasted."
"These kids all have the talent to become stars!"
"Veloso is a prime example. We have found the position that suits him best, and we will show everyone after he’s successfully registered in the winter window!"
"We also hope that parents with true insight will send your talented children to Sporting Lisbon. We may not be able to turn them into stars, but if we can’t, Benfica definitely can’t!"
Such inflammatory talk further ignited the already boiling Portuguese football news.
Everyone was eager for the winter window to arrive.
Because then, we would know once and for all whether Sporting Lisbon’s or Benfica’s youth training was superior.
This was the first real clash from the roots up between the two sides’ youth systems!
It had a greater impact than any U15 match could have on both parties.
Everyone is a black shop.
You said my ability to train players was inadequate; isn’t that cutting off my revenue stream?
Depriving someone of their livelihood is akin to killing their parents!
This enmity will not be shared!
One of us is bound to get hurt!
...
[PS: Football friends! This is our last week on the new book list, the perfect timing.
This week we’ve made it to the homepage’s top recommendations and category top recommendations – almost the best visibility a new book could get, the geographical advantage is ours.
What’s missing now is you!
Let’s rush the new book list!
If we get into the top fifteen of the new book list this week, we’ll add three extra Chapters when we go on sale!
If we make it into the top ten, we’ll add six extra Chapters when we go on sale!
If we reach the top three, we’ll add ten extra Chapters when we go on sale!
We already have seven Chapters updated for our on-sale listing, thanks to the Alliance Hierarch reward from our book friend Ou Tianming.]
