Gündoğan, the New Arrival, Makes a Strong Start-Is He Coming for Tang Long's Starting Spot?
Inside the England national team office.
Several scouts sent by Mancini arrived at the scene one after another.
This weekend, everyone is out in force, scouting England players at various Premier League stadiums.
As we move into 2016, there are only six months left until the UEFA European Championship.
The selection process for the final shortlist has entered its most intense phase.
Teaching assistant Chivu was still the first one to arrive.
He watched Liverpool's match against Everton at Anfield, Liverpool's home ground, this week.
The key player to watch is their midfielder, Henderson.
Mancini arrived late, just in time, after distributing the materials and projecting the PowerPoint presentation.
"Everyone's here, let's begin the report!"
Mancini lit a cigarette and sat down in the main seat.
Everyone gave their reports in turn, with Chivu's report being the most detailed.
He highly praised the performance of 25-year-old midfielder Henderson, saying that his running, interception, passing awareness and physical strength in midfield were very good, and the player's physical condition is constantly improving.
The midfield has always been one of the most important components of the England national team.
With Gerrard's retirement, a large number of players born in the 1990s began to flock to this area.
Chivu believed that Henderson's ability was still somewhat inferior to Gerrard's at his peak.
However, for the time being, this Liverpool player remains the undisputed choice for the defensive midfield position in the England national team.
"Mr. Mancini, you watched the Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur match live, what are your thoughts?"
Mancini watched the Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur match live. His key scouts included England internationals Alli, Dier, Walker Kane, and Harry Kane, but his primary focus was Alli.
So Chivu's potential problem is, if we play a lone defensive midfielder, should we choose Alli or Henderson?
Mancini took puffs of his cigarette, exhaling clouds of smoke.
My thoughts drifted back to the match two days ago!
This match was truly thrilling. Whether it was Tottenham Hotspur 'Guarin two powerful shots in the first half or Tang Long leading the team in a counterattack, the whole game was a breathtaking spectacle from a purely spectator's perspective.
Mancini stubbed out his cigarette and blurted out:
"I watched the game, and Tang Long's performance was truly amazing. He seems even stronger than when he was at Inter Milan!"
Everyone present was stunned by these words.
Why are we talking about Manchester City player Tang Long?
Mancini lifted his sleeve and glanced at his watch, seeing that it was only 8:40, still early.
They decided to delve deeper into Tang Long's performance.
"Can you believe it? A player under 20 years old possesses unparalleled creativity on offense, and his positioning and anticipation on defense are equally top-notch. Take that tackle on Nasri in the final moments, for example. I'm not sure if either Alli or Henderson could have made that clean tackle..."
Before Mancini could finish his sentence, Chivu immediately chimed in happily:
"That's right, the key is that after he intercepted the ball, he still had the stamina to dribble all 50 meters. Finally, he delivered a cross from the wing, forcing Nasri to score an own goal. Keep in mind that this was after the 90th minute!"
Mancini asked with a curious look, "Christian, did you watch the game too?"
"I didn't watch it, but I watched the replay. How could I miss such a great match?"
Then, in front of the other coaching staff and scouts of the England national team, Mancini and Chivu talked about Tang Long as if no one else was around.
When they got excited, they even clapped their hands and laughed, slapping the table, looking completely absorbed, as if they were watching the game from the sidelines.
Everyone looked at each other, completely bewildered.
Why are you waking us up so early for a meeting? Why are the head coach and assistant coaches only talking about Manchester City and Tang Long, and not about the England internationals?
No one could get a word in edgewise.
"Hey, what's going on with this meeting? Is the topic even clear?" a coach whispered to the person next to him.
"Who knows? Maybe Mancini and Chivu still think they're working for Inter Milan," another person chuckled softly.
Manchester City Official: Gündoğan joins Manchester City on a 5-year contract.
Although transfer rumors were rampant when Gündoğan was photographed in the Manchester City stands;
Many predict he will join Manchester City soon, a view echoed by seasoned industry insider Di Marzio.
However, when Manchester City officially announced the news and the dust settled, it still caused a stir in the Premier League!
Fans were amazed at how clean and efficient Manchester City's transfer process was; they secured deals as soon as a deal was even made.
It is said that the transfer cost Manchester City 31 million euros, and the two sides reached an agreement in just three days.
Manchester City fans were naturally overjoyed.
As fans, they are fortunate. Who wouldn't want their team to spend lavishly in the transfer market, especially when they've acquired a young talent like Gündoğan?
Soon after, the number 8 jersey worn by Gündoğan went on sale in the club's gift shop!
More and more British media outlets are starting to follow up on this player who plays for Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga.
The Guardian likened Gündoğan to the final piece of Manchester City's title-winning puzzle, saying his exquisite footwork and grand vision will further enhance Manchester City's midfield depth.
"Manchester City boasts a wealth of midfield talent, including players like Toure, Delph, Fernando, and Fernandinho. While Gündoğan's arrival may not immediately secure him a starting position, it will undoubtedly be a significant boost to the squad's depth."
The Manchester Evening News believes that Gündoğan will likely play as a rotation defensive midfielder at Manchester City, partnering with regular starter Toure.
"Gündoğan's arrival will free up Tang Long, allowing him to stay in the attacking third and provide firepower for the forwards. This is a fantastic transfer."
However, the Daily Telegraph, which has always liked to contradict Manchester City, offered a sharp perspective.
They claim that Manchester City's decision to forcibly acquire their key midfielder Gündoğan from Borussia Dortmund during the winter transfer window is yet another blatant disruption of the balance of football by the Abu Dhabi United Group!
"Gündoğan has played in European competitions for Borussia Dortmund, he simply cannot play for Manchester City in this season's UEFA Champions League!"
"I really can't understand why Manchester City rushed to buy him. Was it simply to keep their league position?"
"They're already strong enough, yet they keep spending money like water, buying up excellent players."
"This is too extravagant!"
"When Manchester City buys all the world's top players, they can dominate the Premier League for 10 or even 20 years with that kind of financial power."
"When this day comes, it will also symbolize the complete fall and decline of football, this grassroots sport, in the British Isles!"
"What we need is a league where every club can compete for the season's goals, not a game that belongs to Manchester City alone!"
Gündoğan doesn't care about these opinions about him.
His only goal in coming to Manchester City was to earn a high salary, become a regular starter, and win the championship.
Therefore, some media outlets have described his statement as an attempt to increase the depth of the midfield bench, a claim he disagrees with.
At 25, I'm supposed to be a substitute after coming from Dortmund to Manchester City?
No matter how much money you offer, I won't do it!
During his first training session after joining the team, he even showed a bit of arrogance.
It wasn't just Manchester City chasing me, Barca was chasing me too. If it weren't for the fact that Manchester City and Dortmund were in contact so quickly and offered such a high price, I might already be playing for Barca now!
Thinking of his teammates, who should have been Iniesta, Xavi, Lionel Messi, and others, he now sees Toure, Delph, and Agüero instead.
For a moment, Gündoğan felt a slight sense of loss.
After watching the Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur match, Gündoğan believes that the only Manchester City midfielder whose ability can rival his is Tang Long.
Toure, he's past his prime; his physical condition and reaction speed are declining.
Not to mention Fernando, Delph, Fernandinho, and others; Gündoğan completely disregarded them, considering them merely second-rate players in football.
So during breaks in training when he needed to drink water, Gündoğan would take the initiative to get closer to Tang Long.
"Hey, I watched your game against Tottenham Hotspur live. Your pass was absolutely fantastic! The speed and timing were superb!"
Tang Long nodded, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Which kick are you talking about? I can't remember."
Gündoğan was taken aback, thinking to himself, "This guy is quite arrogant. Do you think you can make such good passes in every game? Don't pretend!"
"It was that assist you gave Agüero, that lob pass. There was clearly no one there when you passed, but Agüero came rushing over as the ball landed. Do you guys often coordinate like that in training?"
"Oh, you mean that ball?" Tang Long slapped his head, suddenly realizing. "No, I haven't practiced it specifically. It was just a flash of inspiration. I usually decide where to pass it a second in advance."
Gündoğan naturally didn't believe it and wanted to ask more, but assistant coach Rayne blew the whistle to continue training, and the players returned to the field.
Thinking of Tang Long's calm tone just now, Gündoğan felt a surge of displeasure.
What?
Do you think I'm playing professional football for the first time?
I've partnered with top strikers like Leo and Yang, after all.
Even to achieve such coordination with them in training or competition requires extensive muscle memory training and countless private discussions between the two to develop a tacit understanding.
You say you only decided where to pass the ball a second before it was delivered? Are you trying to fool a three-year-old?
Tang Long, you are indeed very strong, but there's no need to put on airs like this in front of me.
Thinking of this, Gündoğan's sense of arrogance suddenly intensified.
I was scouted by Barca; they even said they wanted me to succeed Xavi. If you hadn't offered so much money, Borussia Dortmund wouldn't have sold me here.
Just you wait, I'll amaze you sooner or later.
Soon, Gündoğan got his first chance to play since joining Manchester City!
Just four days after Manchester City's league match against Tottenham Hotspur, they will travel to face Aston Villa in the EFL Cup semi-final.
Pellegrini also made some rotations.
Many substitute players were given the opportunity to start.
New signing Gündoğan has also been included in the starting lineup.
Moreover, he wasn't playing as a defensive midfielder, but rather in Tang Long's position—an attacking midfielder!