Tang Ye

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Tang Ye (唐业)
Alias(es)	Tom; GGBond; Tang King
Gender	Male
Nationality	Chinese
Affiliation	Manchester United; China men's national football team; formerly Utrecht, Villarreal CF, and Borussia Dortmund 299 503 634 695
Occupation/Role	Professional footballer; ball-playing midfielder, attacking midfielder, playmaking core, and occasional false nine/forward 61 299 480
Status	Active 806
First Appearance	Chapter 3, “I Fluked It” 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Overall Rating 58	3	Initial documented panel: 69 Ball Control, 70 Passing, 91 Vision, but only 40 Physicality and 48 Speed. His passing and vision were his clear strengths. 3
De Bruyne Curved Through Ball Lv. 4	121	Reached Lv. 4 and unlocked De Bruyne Cutback Cross; his creative curved passing stood out despite difficulties with ordinary long passes. 121
Overall Rating 81	196	Reached a point where every listed attribute was at least 70; Passing rose to 88 and Vision to 95. 196
Overall Rating 82	257	Finished his Villarreal period with 84 Ball Control, 88 Passing, 77 Physicality, and 95 Vision. 257
Overall Rating 83	312	Vision rose to 96 and Passing to 89. 312
De Bruyne Standard Long Pass Lv. 5 — Replica	337	Upgraded from Lv. 4 after reaching the required proficiency; further advancement required 5,000 proficiency. 337
Overall Rating 84	354	Reached 86 Ball Control, 89 Passing, 75 Speed, 79 Physicality, and 97 Vision. 354
Physicality 80	363	Broke the 80-Physicality threshold after intensive strength training; Defending also rose to 72. 363
Physicality 82	389	Enhanced physical talent increased his training returns to roughly 1.5 times normal intensity. 389
Physical Duels — Unparalleled	418	Used a Miracle Chest reward to elevate his physical-duel talent from Center of Attention to Unparalleled. 418
Overall Rating 86	423	Los Angeles training raised him to 78 Speed, 76 Stamina, and 85 Physicality. 423
Passing Talent — Transcendent / Saintly (Pseudo-Saint)	490	A Hero-version Miracle Chest’s Talent Booster raised his passing talent to a higher rank. 490
Overall Rating 88	540	A Robertson 45-Degree Cross Template raised Passing to 93 and Set Pieces to 82. 540
Overall Rating 89	554	Reached 90 Ball Control, 93 Passing, 82 Shooting, 78 Stamina, and 86 Physicality after rehabilitation training. 554
Overall Rating 91	587	Passing reached 94, while Shooting rose to 83, Set Pieces to 90, and Physicality to 87. 587
De Bruyne Curved Through Ball Lv. 6 — Eager to Learn	608	His third Lv. 6 growth skill raised Passing from 94 to 95 and pushed his overall rating to 92. 608
Platini’s Legacy	628	Completion of the Champions League chain quest granted +4 ability points each to Ball Control, Speed, and Shooting. 628
Overall Rating 94	674	Reached 92 Ball Control, 95 Passing, 89 Shooting, 85 Stamina, 89 Physicality, and 99 Vision. 674
Overall Rating 95	695	Physicality reached 90; Passing reached 96 and Shooting 91. 695
Set Pieces 95	750	Raised Set-Piece talent from Once in a Millennium to Center of Attention, increasing Set Pieces from 94 to 95. 750
Overall Rating 97	809	Reached 94 Ball Control, 97 Passing, 93 Shooting, 95 Set Pieces, 90 Physicality, and 100 Vision. 809
Defending — Unparalleled	810	Used a Talent Optimizer to elevate his Defending talent to Unparalleled. 810

History

Luneng Football School

Tang Ye developed at Luneng Football School. After deciding to pursue professional football, he was promoted to the U15 Yellow Team despite being younger than the usual age group. He later recalled that, after joining the U13 class, he regularly played U15 matches and sometimes trained with the U17s. 444 229

At age eleven, he was held on the bench during an international exchange match between Luneng U15 Yellow Team and Porto Youth. Introduced in the second half, he scored once and assisted another goal, prompting Porto’s coach to seek a transfer. Luneng coach Yang Guoen refused the offer but punished Tang Ye with ten laps for his poor work rate. 478

Utrecht

Tang Ye began his European career in Utrecht’s reserve setup, wearing number 99. His early system panel reflected extreme imbalance: elite vision and promising passing, but weak speed, physicality, shooting, and defending. 3 6

His trivela and outside-of-the-foot passing drew Erik ten Hag’s attention during reserve football, though coaches also criticized his inattentiveness, gum-chewing, and tendency to stop running when tired. 5 6 He scored in a 3–0 reserve victory after being denied a substitution despite fatigue, then won over supporters after awkwardly waving back at them when prompted by Zaka. 6

At sixteen, Tang Ye made his Eredivisie debut as an 82nd-minute substitute. He registered two tackles from four touches and received a 10.0 rating from fans despite not receiving a conventional post-match rating. 14 Extra training under ten Hag and Mitchell van der Gaag helped turn his raw passing talent into a first-team asset. 14 20

Villarreal

Tang Ye joined Villarreal on loan and faced immediate concern over his physical profile: he excelled in passing and vision but was assessed as weaker in speed, stamina, and physicality. He passed the club’s lactate-tolerance and maximum-oxygen assessment only narrowly. 108

He adapted gradually to Villarreal’s possession-oriented training. His first La Liga start included a left-footed assist for Haller, followed by a left-footed set piece that revealed his effective ambidexterity. 112 He later scored his first Champions League goal against Monaco and was assigned to help contain Kylian Mbappé, successfully reducing Monaco’s threat down the flank after halftime. 119

During his La Liga campaign, Tang Ye completed a system mission by reaching either ten league goals or eighteen league assists. He did so with two assists and a curling goal in a 3–0 victory, earning a French Superstar Chest. 161 184

Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund

At Manchester United, Tang Ye became a central creative player capable of operating as an attacking midfielder, false nine, or advanced forward. Ten Hag deployed him as a false nine against Benfica, while van der Gaag separately trained him as a penalty taker. 299 He converted a penalty and later scored a free kick in a 3–2 win over Leicester City. 326

He became Manchester United’s most valuable midfielder at €170 million and undertook private physical conditioning in Los Angeles to meet Premier League demands. 421 423 He later captained Manchester United and guided tactical discussions in the dressing room during the club’s title push. 596 608

Tang Ye subsequently joined Borussia Dortmund, where he was welcomed at Westfalenstadion by an 80,000-strong crowd and a tifo depicting a pink pig holding a Bundesliga shield. 634 He eliminated Manchester United from the Champions League with three goals and three assists across two legs, though he apologized to his former club’s supporters afterward. 678

After helping Dortmund win a treble, Tang Ye announced his departure and received the Bundesliga Player of the Season award. 707 Manchester United later confirmed his return and reserved the number 10 shirt for him. 695

International Career

Tang Ye joined the China men’s national team as number 19. He forgot his boots upon arrival and borrowed a pair from Wu Lei, then scored twice in an 8v8 scrimmage and was moved into the starting side by Marcello Lippi. 225

He made his senior debut against South Korea shortly after turning eighteen. He scored twice and recorded an assist in China’s 3–0 victory, while supporters adopted the “GGBond Song” as his personal chant. 227 228

Tang Ye became the focal point of China’s set-piece planning and later wore number 10 for the national side. His direct free-kick conversion rate in training was recorded at 24%, leading Lippi’s staff to build set-piece routines around him. 268 474

He played as a forward in an 8–1 victory over the Philippines, contributing three goals and two assists. 480 Against Iran, he broke a containment strategy by scoring directly from a corner before adding a Rabona goal in the penalty area. 487

Tang Ye returned to Manchester United after winning the AFC Asian Cup with China. 503

Appearance

Tang Ye is a compact footballer who developed from a physically slight playmaker into a strong, conditioned midfielder. By his later Manchester United medical examination, he measured 182 cm and 75.5 kg. 556

• Often chews mint-flavored gum during training and matches. 270
• Has a habit of putting his hands in his pockets or against his backside while walking on the pitch. 6 152
• Built a visibly muscular physique through focused strength work; his six-pack was noted after a decisive free-kick goal. 495
• Initially wore number 99 at Utrecht and Villarreal; later became China’s number 10 and Manchester United’s reserved number 10. 6 176 474 695

Personality

Tang Ye initially appears distracted, casual, and resistant to conventional discipline. He chews gum during team discussions, plays games in his free time, and gained a reputation for strolling rather than running. 5 6 His early coaches saw the gap between his rare talent and his work rate as his central weakness. 5 478

Despite that reputation, Tang Ye is intensely competitive and increasingly committed to training. He repeatedly chooses extra work, pursues physical improvement, and becomes frustrated when he believes his team is being too passive. 420 481 397 He does not enjoy physical confrontation for its own sake, preferring to solve problems through anticipation, rhythm, and technical execution. 326

He is also sociable and dislikes doing things alone. He invited Zhang Yuning to accompany him when collecting an individual award simply because it would be “too boring alone,” and he maintains close friendships with teammates across club and national-team football. 260

Abilities & Skills

Playmaking and Vision

Tang Ye’s defining trait is elite creative passing. His play is built around dynamic vision, long passing, curved through balls, and an understanding of teammates’ technical limits and movement. Analysts described his long passing as among the best in modern football and his vision as unmatched. 507

• Uses outside-of-the-foot passes, curved through balls, cutbacks, and long diagonal distribution. 3 121 210
• Can direct teammates’ runs during attacks, effectively functioning as an on-pitch commander. 230 270
• Is genuinely two-footed, allowing him to cross, shoot, and take set pieces from either side. 112 507
• Can identify teammates through limited visual information, including recognizing Martial by his calves through fog. 507
• His ordinary long passes and possession-game fundamentals were initially less reliable than his creative passing. 109 121

First Touch and Ball Control

Tang Ye improved markedly in La Liga, where Villarreal’s possession style forced him to address his ball-control weaknesses. His Ball Control rose from 69 in his initial panel to 94 by Chapter 809. 3 257 809

• Acquired Bruno Fernandes’ First Touch Module from a Portuguese Superstar Legendary Chest. 45
• The module grants a 10% passing-accuracy bonus and helps him release difficult passes from his first touch. 257
• Uses directional first touches to escape close marking, including against Casemiro. 210
• Can protect the ball and immediately create a chance even after being knocked to the ground. 429

Defensive Reading and Tackling

Though primarily an attacking midfielder, Tang Ye contributes defensively through anticipation, tactical positioning, and timely tackles. 14 227

• Made an Eredivisie debut defined by repeated tackles. 14
• Successfully helped defend against Mbappé during Villarreal’s Champions League playoff against Monaco. 119
• Reads passing intentions and positions teammates to block possession-based teams. 688
• Elevated his Defending talent to Unparalleled with a Talent Optimizer. 810
• Is not primarily characterized as an elite one-on-one defender; his defensive value lies more in reading and organizing play. 688

Finishing and Set Pieces

Tang Ye is a prolific scorer and assister despite beginning as a playmaker. He can finish from long range, take penalties, score direct free kicks, and contribute as a forward. 326 480 495

• Has taken Manchester United penalties with ten Hag’s backing. 326
• Scores direct free kicks and has converted a direct corner against Iran. 326 487
• Can strike with either foot and has used a Rabona to score in the penalty area. 112 487
• Played as a false nine for Manchester United and as a forward for China. 299 480
• Earned the Champions League Golden Boot after scoring and assisting in the final against Barcelona. 624

Physicality and Endurance

Tang Ye began as a technically gifted but physically limited player. His long-term training focus shifted toward stamina, speed, recovery, and physical duels. 108 257

• Raised Physicality from 40 in his earliest panel to 90 by Chapter 695. 3 695
• Undertook specialized training at the Los Angeles Lakers facility to improve strength, stamina, and body weight. 421 423
• Reached 182 cm and 75.5 kg after progressing from roughly 70 kg at Manchester United. 421 556
• Possesses unusually fast recovery, aided by training and system consumables. 423
• Prefers not to rely on shoulder-to-shoulder combat even after becoming physically capable of it. 326

System, Templates, and Missions

Tang Ye possesses a system that tracks attributes, awards points, assigns missions, and provides templates, modules, consumables, chests, and Talent Optimizers. 20 45 810

• Completes statistical missions for Superstar, Legendary, Miracle, and club-related chests. 161 184 299 490
• Uses growth templates to train specific techniques, including De Bruyne-style long passes and curved through balls. 121 337 608
• Can reforge certain templates, as when he exchanged the Ferdinand Physical Duel Template for David Beckham Long-Pass Guidance. 377
• Uses Talent Optimizers to raise the ceiling of individual attributes and talents. 490 810

Equipment / Items

• Chewing gum — A comfort habit permitted by Lippi during his national-team debut; Tang Ye also used a system version to block out noise while taking penalties. 226 326
• Bruno Fernandes’ First Touch Module — Superstar-tier module obtained from a Portuguese Legendary Chest. 45
• Kanté’s Hot Chocolate Milk — System consumable used for muscle-fatigue recovery; Tang Ye upgraded it to maximum level before a major Champions League match. 617
• Laptop, keyboard, and mouse — Tang Ye brings gaming equipment to national-team camp and frequently spends downtime playing games. 225
• Bicycle — Used to commute to Villarreal training after Christmas break. 176

Relationships

• Erik ten Hag — Mentor and long-term manager. Ten Hag recognized Tang Ye’s passing talent at Utrecht, arranged extra training, later built Manchester United tactics around him, and maintained trust in him as a leader. 5 20 421 806
• Rodri — Close teammate and friend from Villarreal onward. Rodri helped Tang Ye adapt to Spain, regularly combined with him in midfield, and embraced him after Borussia Dortmund eliminated Manchester United. 108 184 678
• Sébastien Haller — Early captain and trusted attacking partner. Haller praised Tang Ye’s passing at Utrecht, scored from his assists at Villarreal, and remained one of his closest on-pitch collaborators. 17 112 210
• Ferran Escribá — Villarreal coach and later Dortmund coach. Escribá struggled to fit Tang Ye’s unconventional style into possession football but also adapted tactics around his strengths. 109 121 634
• Marcello Lippi — China manager who immediately recognized Tang Ye’s unusual utility, accommodated his gum habit, and made him central to the national side’s set-piece plans. 225 226 268
• Zhang Yuning — National-team teammate and close friend. Tang Ye frequently encourages him, invites him to awards ceremonies, and gives him advice on building chemistry with teammates. 260 268
• Wu Lei — National-team teammate and attacking partner. Wu Lei lent Tang Ye boots for his first national-team camp and regularly combines with him in small-sided and competitive matches. 225 257
• Tang Zhengxiong — Father. He supports Tang Ye’s career, attends his national-team debut, and later asks Tang Ye to help his amateur side in a local match. 227 260
• Boer — Agent and adviser. Boer handles transfer discussions and advises Tang Ye on public image during the Ballon d’Or race. 507 564

Honours & Recognition

• Ranked first on the European Golden Boy list, ahead of Marcus Rashford and Ousmane Dembélé. 152
• AFC Asian Cup qualifiers Player of the Month for March and June. 260 270
• AFC Asian Cup winner with China. 503
• Champions League Golden Boot winner with Manchester United. 624
• Premier League Player of the Season; later donated the trophy to Luneng Football School. 549
• Bundesliga Player of the Season with Borussia Dortmund. 707
• Nominated for UEFA Champions League Player of the Season. 707

Education

• Attended Villarreal’s club-affiliated Ceramic International School while balancing professional football and coursework. 161
• Took the gaokao while training with the national team in Guangzhou. 257
• Sat Peking University’s high-level sports-team admissions examination and later returned to campus for final examinations, including Macroeconomics. 550 707 709

Trivia

• Dutch supporters began calling him “Tom” because “Tang” was difficult for many of them to pronounce. 6
• Nike created national-team shorts with pockets after Tang Ye’s discomfort with pocket-less shorts became widely known. 229
• Tang Ye dislikes cold weather and considers the Netherlands, Manchester, Villarreal, and Weifang all too cold for comfort. 307
• He has stated that he is unlikely to become a coach because he would rather keep playing himself. 481