Why Give a Possession Midfielder Like Me a Tackling Skill?

Why Give a Possession Midfielder Like Me a Tackling Skill?

Beginner Chest: Peak market value below €15 million

Intermediate Chest: Market value €15 million–€30 million

Advanced Chest: Market value €30 million–€70 million

Superstar Chest: Market value €70 million+

You have obtained... *Casemiro Tackle*!

Defense: 40→55

Physicality: 52→61

What the hell?

Tang Ye suddenly frowned.

He had heard of Casemiro before. He was a Real Madrid player, probably worth somewhere around €10 million.

The system had put him in the Superstar Chest, which meant this player's future market value could reach at least €70 million.

That was truly impressive.

But Tang Ye had a problem now.

A very serious problem.

Wasn't he a possession midfielder? What did he need a tackling skill for?

On match day, with half an hour left before kickoff, Chinese fans saw Utrecht's matchday squad on the club's official Twitter.

Number 99, Lucky Bro, was actually on the list! Lucky Bro is here, brothers. Put some money on The Hague to win outright—it's guaranteed.

You looking down on my Lucky Bro?

Playing in the Eredivisie at sixteen? Damn, Erik ten Hag has some balls.

Is that just having balls? That's called wisdom, wisdom! Erik ten Hag knows what he's doing!

Holy shit, am I really about to see a sixteen-year-old Chinese player take the field in the Eredivisie?

Only people who don't understand football are betting on The Hague to win. A football genius like me is directly betting on Utrecht to score an 80th-minute winner. Odds are 1:80—you guys are gonna be scared shitless, hahaha!

"Okay, good evening, brothers. Today we're streaming the third round of the Eredivisie, ADO The Hague versus Utrecht. Based on their head-to-head record, Utrecht haven't beaten The Hague in the past year, so I recommend going with the home side not to lose."

Wang Chao gave his analysis of the match. "Of course, there's another major highlight today. Tang Ye has made the pre-match squad!"

"To show my support for a Chinese player, I'm donating 100 and betting on Utrecht to win outright!"

Once they learned Tang Ye would be playing, the Bean Warriors in Wang Chao's stream suddenly grew nervous.

What gamblers fear most are wild cards like this! The director was quite considerate too, cutting to Tang Ye and Amrabat sitting on the bench.

Both players had been promoted from the second team, but unlike Tang Ye, Amrabat had already gotten playing time in the first league match. Clearly, he was more trusted by Erik ten Hag.

Beep! The first half began, and The Hague immediately launched an attack against Utrecht on their home turf.

In the 34th minute, Havenaar scored with a header, giving The Hague a 1:0 lead over Utrecht.

"Damn it!"

Erik ten Hag threw up both hands.

He was extremely dissatisfied with that concession.

They had defended for thirty minutes, only to screw up at exactly this moment!

"Holy crap, this is insane."

Tang Ye's eyes were wide open. This was his first time watching an Eredivisie match from up close on the bench.

That speed!

That physicality!

Tang Ye had the feeling that those six-foot-three players on the pitch could come flying into him with a kick at any moment! "It's fine, don't be nervous!"

Speaking from experience, Amrabat comforted Tang Ye. "The first time you come on as a substitute, you don't need to deliberately look for chances to stand out. Just play the match honestly."

"It's fine."

Tang Ye leaned back in his chair like some old lord.

He knew his own level, and Erik ten Hag knew his level too. Sending him into a match of this caliber would undoubtedly be handing the opponent an opportunity!

The second half began. Trailing behind, Utrecht launched a counterattack against The Hague. In the 62nd minute, Utrecht earned a corner.

"Ramselaar, send in the corner!"

"Haller! Haller! The header missed, follow it up with a foot—beautiful!"

Although he knew betting on the away side to win outright was basically a donation, Wang Chao was still excited to see the away players score.

Why was he excited? Because if the match ended in a draw, those people in his stream who had bet on The Hague to win outright would not make any money.

It's fine if I can't afford a foot wash, but don't make me watch you go get one!

That was the greatest disrespect to Huanledou players!

"Great ball!"

Erik ten Hag applauded Haller on the pitch, then shouted and gestured at the same time.

Having just scored, Utrecht's players were at their most fired up.

Erik ten Hag wanted to use this chance to take the lead! He turned toward the bench. "Sofyan, Luwin, you two go warm up."

"Mm, and..."

Erik ten Hag's gaze moved across the bench before finally landing on Tang Ye, who was sitting with one leg crossed over the other. "Lazy pig, you warm up too."

On camera, Tang Ye took off his jacket and put on a yellow bib. Cheers suddenly erupted from the stands.

It wasn't just the home fans—even the home team's coaching staff reacted the same way. The Hague manager Korth glanced at Tang Ye stretching on the sidelines, then looked toward Erik ten Hag.

No, I'm seriously playing an Eredivisie match with you, and you're sending on a sixteen-year-old? What the hell is that supposed to mean?

"Sir, we're being mocked!"

The assistant coach whispered in Korth's ear while briefing the manager on Tang Ye's situation.

"Very lucky? What kind of trait is that? Tell me what type of player he is."

"Um..."

The assistant coach thought carefully before answering, "He should be an attacking midfielder."

"He should be?"

"Den Haag!"

Bang! Bang!

"Den Haag!"

Bang! Bang!

The fans' chants grew louder and louder, while the match became increasingly tense. Utrecht continued attacking fiercely, yet still had not scored by the 80th minute.

The score remained deadlocked at 1:1!

Erik ten Hag looked at the players warming up beside him, ready to make substitutions. "Luwin, and Sofy... mm."

He paused when he got to Amrabat.

The match was already deadlocked. Bringing on a defensive midfielder didn't seem particularly useful.

In that case...

"Tang, get ready to go on!"

Oh? Hearing his name, Tang Ye raised an eyebrow.

Sure enough, hard-working people were always rewarded!

His Eredivisie debut was coming! "A substitution for Utrecht: Luwin replaces Balazhit, and... Tang Ye replaces Ayoub!?"

"Oh my god, Tang Ye is really coming on!"

In the 82nd minute, after high-fiving Ayoub, Tang Ye jogged toward his position under Erik ten Hag's urging.

Lucky Bro is here. Did anyone bet on 1:2? Watch Lucky Bro bend one with the outside of his foot and treat you to a foot wash.

Playing in the Eredivisie at sixteen? I remember Tang Ye is still on a youth contract, right?

The youth contract isn't important. What matters is that Tang Ye can pull something out of nowhere. Utrecht can't score now, so Erik ten Hag is counting on Tang Ye to get lucky with one shot.

I'm dying. An Eredivisie manager is counting on a sixteen-year-old to get lucky with one shot? Don't you think that's a ridiculous thing to say?

Watching Tang Ye's back as he slowly ran onto the pitch, Erik ten Hag tightly clenched the fabric in his pocket.

Tang, pull something out of nowhere. Then you'll be able to eat in the first-team cafeteria from now on! ...