Chapter 158

"Yang Yang, can I ask you something serious?" 

Chen Tao entered Yang Yang's room, casting a cautious glance around to make sure they were alone. After closing the door, he turned back, his expression unexpectedly grave, surprising Yang Yang. 

"Of course. What's on your mind?" Yang Yang motioned for Chen Tao to sit across from him. 

Chen Tao's demeanor was starkly different from his usual confident self on the pitch. Known for his daring play and quick thinking, he was one of the national youth team's most promising talents and was seen as a rising star alongside Yang Yang. Even Arie Haan had high hopes for him, bringing him onto the national team twice. In the recent match against Iran, Chen Tao was subbed in to take over the right wing, allowing Yang Yang to push forward—a testament to his evolving role. 

Yet here, off the pitch, Chen Tao seemed hesitant and visibly troubled. 

"Is it true that you helped Zhang Zhi find an agent and even set up a trial with a team?" Chen Tao asked, looking at Yang Yang intently. 

Yang Yang nodded. "Yes. I put him in touch with an agent who works closely with Ajax and other European clubs. He managed to secure a trial for Zhang Zhi with Mainz." 

Zheng Zhi had performed well in Mainz recently, even earning some playing time, though his spot in the starting lineup was far from secure—a realistic outcome for someone adapting to Bundesliga demands. Yang Yang knew from experience how challenging it could be to break into a European team's regular lineup, especially for an outsider. But the calls he received from Klopp suggested the manager saw potential in Zheng Zhi, which was encouraging. 

"To be honest, I see promise in Zheng Zhi; he's one of the few players with a strong football IQ. I think he has a real chance," Yang Yang added thoughtfully. 

Chen Tao looked down, visibly struggling to hold back tears. "I need to ask you something important, something that could change my future. Please, answer honestly." 

Yang Yang immediately sensed the weight of his words and nodded seriously. "Go ahead." 

"Do you think... with my current skills, I could play in Europe?" Chen Tao's voice wavered, his eyes reddening with emotion. 

Yang Yang knew his answer could greatly impact his friend's decisions. Carefully considering Chen Tao's talent and performance in their games, he chose his words with care. 

"Well, I don't want to speak for other leagues, but if you're aiming for something like the Eredivisie or the Primeira Liga, especially with teams lower down the table, I think it's possible. With hard work and the right mindset, I believe you could make it." 

Yang Yang's words seemed to spark a glimmer of hope in Chen Tao's tear-streaked face. For a moment, he sat quietly, his eyes brimming with tears. 

"Tell me, what's been going on?" Yang Yang pressed gently. 

Chen Tao looked away, fighting back his emotions. "The club wants me to sign a long-term contract, but the pay is barely anything—only a few thousand yuan a month. And with that contract, it'll be tough to go abroad." 

Yang Yang knew well the disparity between the opportunities at home and those in Europe. Seeing his friends and teammates struggle for a fair chance was increasingly disheartening. As more players like Zheng Zhi and Zhao Junzhe successfully made it abroad, young talents back home were beginning to sense the same disparity, realizing the gap between domestic and European football. 

Chen Tao, one of the national youth team's standouts after Yang Yang, had always expressed a desire to play abroad. During the Toulon Cup, he'd often asked Yang Yang about life and opportunities in Europe. They'd even discussed aiming for next year's World Youth Championship in the Netherlands as a possible springboard to attract European interest. Now, however, it seemed like Chen Tao's club was pushing to keep him locked into the domestic league. 

"If they're offering you so little, then why sign at all?" Yang Yang asked, his frustration evident. "It's unfair for them to hold you back with that kind of pay. You deserve a real opportunity." 

Chen Tao nodded. "I've been putting them off since last year, but recently the club owner spoke to me personally. I told him I wasn't ready to commit, and he said they'd suspend my training if I didn't sign. I stood my ground, but now they've stopped including me altogether." 

Yang Yang clenched his fists, angered by the situation. "That's outrageous!" 

Chen Tao's voice trembled as he spoke, finally letting his emotions spill out. "If I leave, no other teams here will take me because of my current club's influence. And if I don't make it to Europe, I'll be out of options. I… I just don't know what to do." 

Yang Yang could see how trapped his friend felt. With a modest monthly salary, deducted whenever the club saw fit, Chen Tao's living conditions were far from what people might imagine for a professional athlete. His family, too, had sacrificed a lot to support his career. 

"I don't come from money. My parents are laid-off workers, struggling to get by on a few hundred yuan a month. I wanted to go pro to help them, to maybe one day buy a proper place for us to live. But right now… I can barely afford the basics." 

Yang Yang felt the same frustration. He knew this wasn't Chen Tao's fault but rather the challenge of navigating a flawed system that didn't prioritize its players' growth or well-being. 

As Chen Tao choked up, struggling to continue, Yang Yang placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure this out, Chen. I'll help however I can." 

Without a moment's hesitation, Yang Yang reached for his phone and dialed Wei Zhen, hoping to find a way to help Chen Tao break free from the limitations holding him back. 

According to Wei Zhen's feedback, Chen Tao's account was accurate. There were indeed five players from the club under pressure to sign restrictive contracts, with Chen Tao being the only one still resisting. As the most promising talent among them, he held out hope, refusing to let his potential be squandered by poor management. 

"Yang Yang, there are just so many things that feel out of our control," Wei Zhen admitted with a sigh, his tone resigned. 

Yang Yang understood the underlying struggle. "I could overlook this if it were someone else, but Chen Tao's my teammate, and he has the skill to succeed in Europe. I can't sit back and watch his career be limited by these kinds of tactics." 

Wei Zhen was silent for a moment on the other end before responding, his voice thoughtful. "Alright. I do have some connections here at home—I'll do what I can. And Yang Yang, maybe you should speak with Leader Zhu from the national team. He's genuinely supportive of players' development and might help push things along." 

"Good idea. I'll reach out to him." 

After ending the call with Wei Zhen, Yang Yang immediately dialed Guido Albers, his trusted Dutch agent. 

Without going into the club's inner conflicts, he simply explained, "I have a talented teammate who's interested in playing in Europe. Do you think there's any chance to arrange a trial?" 

Albers didn't hesitate. "Of course, Yang. If you're giving him such a high recommendation, I'm sure there's a strong chance he'll impress. I'll start looking into options." 

For someone of Albers' caliber, setting up a trial was simple. But Yang Yang knew that Chen Tao's chances would ultimately hinge on his own performance and adaptability. 

"Thanks so much, Guido." 

Next, Yang Yang contacted Ajax's coaching staff, reaching out to both Ronald Koeman and Ruud Krol. He explained the situation and asked if Chen Tao might join their training sessions for a while, just to maintain his form. 

Both coaches agreed without hesitation. In Europe, it was common practice for unattached or prospective players to temporarily join a club's training to stay sharp and show their skills. 

Feeling a sense of relief, Yang Yang returned to Chen Tao, who had been waiting anxiously. 

"Guido Albers, a top agent here in the Netherlands, has agreed to help. He's represented players like Sneijder, Van der Vaart, and Heitinga—he's well-connected across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. He was also the one who arranged for Zheng Zhi to trial with Mainz." 

Chen Tao's eyes brightened with hope, his eagerness unmistakable. "What did he say?" 

"He'll find you trial opportunities once the season ends. Since we're in late March, it's not an ideal time for clubs to sign new players, but you can go for trials during the summer break. That's when clubs start looking to refresh their rosters." 

Chen Tao's excitement was evident, though it quickly gave way to worry. "But… the costs…" 

"Don't worry about the expenses," Yang Yang said firmly. "I'll cover them for now." 

"How can I let you do that?" 

"Think of it as a loan, then. Once you start making money, you can pay me back. Plus, I've already arranged for you to join Ajax's training sessions to keep up your form. You'll be able to live with me here in the Netherlands for as long as you need." 

Yang Yang's offer seemed to Chen Tao like a lifeline, a chance he had barely dared to hope for. Overwhelmed, he clasped Yang Yang's hand tightly, unable to find the right words to express his gratitude. 

Yang Yang felt a pang of sympathy. If Chen Tao had been a center forward—a position Alkmaar was currently prioritizing—he could have recommended him directly to Van Gaal. Playing under Van Gaal would have provided incredible development opportunities. But Chen Tao's strengths lay in midfield, particularly as a central or right-sided midfielder. 

"Don't overthink it," Yang Yang encouraged him. "Just focus on showing your best. If you give it your all, I have no doubt that you'll prove yourself." 

The rekindled hope in Chen Tao's eyes was unmistakable as he nodded, determined to make the most of this opportunity. 

... 

... 

After their conversation, Yang Yang decided to bring Chen Tao to meet with Leader Zhu, the national team's supportive and influential manager. 

Coincidentally, Arie Haan was also present when they arrived. 

After Yang Yang explained Chen Tao's situation and expressed his desire to lend a helping hand, Leader Zhu promised to do his best to negotiate with the club, urging them to release Chen Tao to pursue opportunities abroad. Hearing about Chen Tao's struggles, Arie Haan was visibly outraged by the unfair treatment and expressed his willingness to help contact European clubs on Chen Tao's behalf. 

As a prominent figure in Dutch football, Arie Haan had access to extensive networks and channels that even Yang Yang couldn't tap into yet. 

With Yang Yang's current status and growing influence in Chinese football, his involvement would likely compel the club to reconsider its stance. Team Leader Zhu's support, combined with Wei Zhen's connections, created a formidable front, making it difficult for the club to further impede Chen Tao's path. 

"Yang Yang has come forward to support you, Chen Tao. Make sure to train hard and keep pushing yourself," Leader Zhu encouraged, his voice steady but filled with expectation. 

Chen Tao nodded repeatedly, brimming with gratitude as he thanked Yang Yang. 

For Yang Yang, it wasn't about receiving thanks. He was more focused on ensuring that Chen Tao would have the best possible development path in the coming years. Chen Tao had raw talent, which, with the right guidance, could thrive in Europe. While he knew the top leagues might be out of reach for now, he was confident that Chen Tao could make a strong start in leagues like the Eredivisie or even parts of the Bundesliga. 

With his support network in place and Chen Tao's determination burning brightly, Yang Yang felt optimistic about his friend's future in European football.