Chapter 86

"Push forward, push forward...!" 

"High ball, as high as you can—watch me head it!" 

"Four o'clock, quick, pass the ball!" 

"Haha, check out this heel flick!" 

A chorus of lively and cheerful voices echoed through the crisp morning air, heralding the start of a new day in the tranquil Dutch town of Oudekerk. 

Yang Yang, Ibrahimović, Maxwell, and Vermaelen were chasing each other along the lakeside path, the football darting between them like a butterfly among flowers, weaving in and out with fluid grace, never stopping. Their laughter filled the air as they engaged in this carefree routine. 

Scenes like this had become a daily ritual. 

Since Ibrahimović took it upon himself to accompany Yang Yang in his morning exercises, Maxwell and Vermaelen had quickly realized that they couldn't afford to be lazy. Determined not to fall behind, they joined the morning training group with renewed vigor. 

The four players had adopted a disciplined routine: early to bed, early to rise, and each morning found them on the shores of Lake Oudekerk, playing with the ball as the sun rose. At times, they became so engrossed in their drills that they nearly lost track of time. 

It was, without a doubt, their most carefree period. 

Ibrahimović and Maxwell, both mainstays at Ajax, faced little competitive pressure within the squad. As long as they maintained a reasonable level of form, their places in the team were secure. With Ajax's focus shifting to the Champions League in recent weeks, even the Greek striker Anastasiou found it difficult to get playing time. 

Maxwell's position at left-back was similarly uncontested. Although American player John O'Brien and Belgian Jelle Van Damme could fill in, and even right-back Zdeněk Grygera could switch flanks if necessary, none could match the Brazilian's consistent performances. 

Yang Yang, the youngest of the group, was also the fastest rising star. His name had become a sensation not just in the Netherlands, but across Europe and even in the wider footballing world. Everyone knew about this new talent at Ajax, whose performances had already caught the eye of giants like Real Madrid. It was clear that the club had high hopes for him. 

Vermaelen, too, had established himself in the first team this season. His appearances had been solid, but he knew he needed more opportunities to prove his worth and to continue improving his skills. 

None of the four felt much pressure at this moment—the future looked bright. Ajax had just knocked out Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semi-finals, and everything seemed to be going their way. They could train joyfully, without a care in the world. 

Life was good. 

"Last night, after the match, I heard that the Danish kid arrived at the club," Maxwell mentioned casually as they paused by the lakeside to catch their breath, his tone light as he shared the latest gossip. 

"Who?" Yang Yang asked, not immediately catching on. 

"You know, the one from Denmark. They're calling him the second Ibrahimović. He was recommended by John Steen Olsen," Maxwell clarified. 

"Oh," Yang Yang replied, finally recognizing who Maxwell was talking about. He vaguely remembered Maxwell mentioning the player during their winter training camp in Portugal, where Van Gaal himself had reportedly gone to scout the young talent. 

"This kid just turned sixteen in January," Maxwell continued. "He's a little younger than you, playing in Copenhagen. Apparently, a lot of teams are keeping an eye on him, with Arsenal being the most interested. Wenger even invited the whole family to London. But Ajax acted quickly and brought them to Amsterdam to watch the match." 

Inviting players and their families to visit and watch a game was a common strategy for clubs trying to secure new signings. However, Ibrahimović, who had a history with Arsenal, couldn't help but scoff at the mention of the English club, recalling his own less-than-pleasant experience with them. 

"A young kid like him will be finished at Arsenal. He won't get any chances," the Swedish striker stated firmly. 

It was easy to understand his perspective. Arsenal were a Premier League powerhouse, constantly competing on multiple fronts. With the likes of Henry, Bergkamp, Reyes, and Kanu leading the attack, a young player would struggle to break into the first team. And the Premier League, known for its physicality, wasn't exactly nurturing to young players. 

Of course, Ibrahimović's disdain for Arsenal colored his opinion, but there was some truth to his words. 

"What's his name again?" Yang Yang asked, suddenly curious. 

"I heard he's called Nicklas Bendtner," Maxwell replied. 

Yang Yang silently repeated the name to himself, committing it to memory. After all, this Danish youngster might be his teammate next season. 

"Bendtner is still very young, so the club isn't likely to place too much pressure on him just yet," Maxwell continued. "But if Zlatan does transfer, management will definitely need to bring in more reinforcements. Ryan Babel and Tom De Mul will also be promoted to the first team." 

Hearing the names of Babel and De Mul brought a smile to Yang Yang's face. Both were his teammates from Ajax's second team, and though they had only played together for a few months, they had developed a strong bond. 

"From the way things are shaping up," Maxwell added, "even though the team has had a strong season, there will be a lot of changes this summer. Many players will leave—some because they're unhappy with the club, others because they want new challenges. But the club will also bring in new players. I was talking to my Brazilian friend last night, and he mentioned that Ajax has already lined up two full-backs, one for the left and one for the right." 

Maxwell's tone was calm, his face expressionless as he discussed the impending changes. He wasn't worried about his position. Several teams had shown interest in him, with even rumors of Real Madrid considering him as a replacement for Roberto Carlos. But until concrete offers came in, nothing was certain. 

Brazilian players, known for their flair and attacking prowess, were always in demand, especially full-backs who could contribute to the offense—perfect for Ajax's tactical setup. The club's plan to bring in one left-back and one right-back made sense, with the left-back likely being a backup and the right-back intended to replace Trabelsi. 

It was well-known in the dressing room that Trabelsi was likely to leave the club that summer. 

"I also heard Victor Sikora might be considering a move," Vermaelen chimed in unexpectedly. 

The other three looked at him in surprise. 

"Why?" Yang Yang asked, puzzled. 

But Ibrahimović and Maxwell exchanged knowing glances, smiling faintly, yet said nothing. 

"What's going on?" Yang Yang pressed. 

Maxwell chuckled. "You, my friend, really don't pay attention to anything outside of football. Sikora's situation is pretty obvious. Even though he's almost always on the bench, he gets subbed in nearly every match, usually in the second half. Lately, he hasn't even been making the bench in the Champions League games. Do you see where this is going?" 

Yang Yang had a vague idea but remained silent, listening intently. 

"He came in with high expectations, and his salary reflects that. But with the club's current plans, even if they don't count on you taking over next season, they'll still need more options in attack. Sikora's position will become even more uncertain, and his situation this season has already been difficult," Maxwell explained. 

Now that it was spelled out, Yang Yang understood, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He had only wanted to play football, to seize every opportunity, but in doing so, he hadn't realized the impact it might have on his teammates. 

"Don't feel guilty. This is professional football," Maxwell said, reading his thoughts. "Every penny the club spends is calculated. If Sikora leaves Ajax, it might actually be better for his career. At the end of the day, the club is moving forward, and players come and go. You're only turning 18 in October, and already you've achieved so much." 

Sometimes, even Ibrahimović, who spent most of his time with Yang Yang, was struck by how quickly the young winger had progressed. 

It was hard to believe that Yang Yang was still only seventeen. 

But then, anyone who witnessed Yang Yang's relentless work ethic wouldn't be surprised by his rapid rise. Even the famously laid-back Maxwell had been motivated to work harder, inspired by the teenager's dedication. 

With Ajax performing so well this season, it was inevitable that top clubs from Europe's major leagues would come knocking this summer. The transfer market would be busy, with players leaving and new ones arriving. The club would undergo a significant transformation, and no one could be certain who would stay and who would go. 

For now, though, the four teammates could only focus on their present tasks, enjoying their time together while it lasted. 

... 

... 

In the twenty-ninth round of the Eredivisie, Ajax faced their fierce rivals Feyenoord away at De Kuip, a match charged with the intensity that always accompanies this classic Dutch rivalry. 

Due to the grueling midweek clash against Real Madrid in the Champions League, Ajax coach Ronald Koeman opted to protect his young star, Yang Yang, by leaving him out of the squad for this encounter. It was a calculated decision, considering the physical and mental toll of recent matches. 

The match itself was a hard-fought battle, with both sides demonstrating why this fixture is one of the most anticipated in Dutch football. The game remained deadlocked until the 71st minute when Zlatan Ibrahimović, coming off the bench, broke the stalemate with a well-taken goal. His clinical finish silenced the home crowd and put Ajax in the lead. However, just as it seemed Ajax might leave Rotterdam with all three points, Dirk Kuyt, the ever-reliable Feyenoord forward, equalized in the dying minutes, ensuring that the spoils were shared. The final whistle blew with the scoreline locked at 1-1, a result that neither team was entirely satisfied with. 

Meanwhile, in another part of the Netherlands, PSV Eindhoven, led by the prolific Mateja Kežman, demolished Groningen with a resounding 5-0 victory, highlighted by Kežman's hat trick. This win allowed PSV to narrow the points gap with Ajax, reducing it to eleven points. However, with only five rounds remaining in the league, the deficit seemed insurmountable. Even PSV's coach, the seasoned Guus Hiddink, acknowledged the uphill battle, suggesting that the Eredivisie title was all but lost to Ajax. Yet, with Hiddink's reputation for psychological mind games, many wondered if his words were a mere ploy to ease the pressure on his players. 

Between the twenty-ninth and thirtieth rounds, Ajax enjoyed a rare luxury—a full week without matches, including cup games. The break allowed the players some much-needed rest, and Koeman granted them a well-deserved holiday. The team had two days off, a rare treat during the relentless grind of a long season. Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning were spent relaxing, a welcome respite before the final push in the league and, more importantly, the Champions League. 

A week later, in the 30th round of the Eredivisie, Ajax returned to action, this time with a rotated lineup as they hosted RBC Roosendaal at the Amsterdam Arena. The match began inauspiciously for the home side as Roosendaal shocked the Ajax faithful by scoring in the opening three minutes. The early goal wasn't directly Vermaelen's fault, but it unsettled the team, putting them on the back foot. 

Ajax struggled to find their rhythm until the 30th minute when Steven Pienaar leveled the score with a well-placed shot, bringing relief to the home crowd. Despite their best efforts, Ajax couldn't find a winner, and the match ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw—two consecutive draws for the league leaders. 

In contrast, PSV Eindhoven continued their relentless pursuit with another convincing victory, this time a 3-0 win over NEC Nijmegen, courtesy of two goals from Mark van Bommel and another from Kežman. As a result, Ajax's lead at the top was trimmed to nine points. 

Despite this, there was little concern among the media or fans. The focus was squarely on the upcoming first leg of the Champions League semi-final against AS Monaco, which was to be played at home in midweek. The importance of that match far outweighed any domestic concerns. The belief was that as long as Ajax secured a spot in the Champions League Final, the Eredivisie title was essentially theirs. 

On the eve of the crucial clash with Monaco, Arie Haan, the coach of the Chinese national team and a former Ajax legend, made a visit to De Toekomst, Ajax's renowned youth academy.