Winter Break II

That night, Yang Yang invited Zheng Zhi to stay at his place instead of a hotel. Located in Oude Kerk, his home was closer to the airport, making it easier for Zheng Zhi to catch his flight the next day. 

Back in China, Zheng Zhi had read in the media about Yang Yang's daily training routine, so the following morning, he eagerly joined Yang Yang, getting up early and preparing to train together. 

Yang Yang's routine—dribbling while running—had become second nature, practically instinctive by now. Zheng Zhi, one of China's top players, possessed strong technical skills and was able to keep pace at first. But soon, as the cold air made the football slippery, he found himself slowing down, unable to maintain Yang Yang's consistent speed and control. 

With the increasing physical demands, Zheng Zhi's movements became less precise, while Yang Yang continued, effortlessly controlling the ball as if it were an extension of himself. Watching Yang Yang's seamless mastery of the ball, Zheng Zhi couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and humility. 

"So, it looks like I'll need to work even harder just to keep up with you," Zheng Zhi said, shaking his head with a rueful smile. 

At 24, with years of professional experience behind him, he now realized he was being outperformed by an 18-year-old. As one of China's most accomplished players, he acutely felt the gap between domestic football and the European stage. 

As they continued their run, Yang Yang slowed down, falling in beside him. "Do you think your club will be on board with the transfer?" 

"No problem. They already agreed to let me go abroad to continue developing," Zheng Zhi assured him. 

"Good to hear. It'll be smoother if the club doesn't put up any obstacles." 

Zheng Zhi nodded. "I'll have to check in with the Football Association when I get back, but I don't think they'll stand in the way. Since the Asian Cup, the national team's success has relied heavily on the performances of players like you on the international stage." 

He cast a thoughtful glance at Yang Yang. At only 18, Yang Yang had already become an inspiration for countless young players back home. 

Among Asian players, he stood out. Japan's and South Korea's top stars—Park Ji-sung at PSV Eindhoven and Shinji Ono at Feyenoord—played important roles in the Eredivisie, but they weren't yet carrying their teams. In contrast, Yang Yang had quickly become one of Ajax's key players, a popular name in Dutch football. 

With the Champions League-winning goal and the European Golden Boy Award under his belt, Yang Yang's achievements already set him apart. These accomplishments provided a strong foundation for his career, and as long as he continued his upward trajectory, he was poised to reach the highest levels in Asian football history. 

Comparatively, Zheng Zhi's upcoming transfer to Mainz, Zhao Junzhe's move to Celtic, Nakamura Shunsuke's stint at Reggina in Serie A, or Sun Jihai's career at Manchester City in the Premier League, all reflected commendable progress for Asian players. But none of these clubs offered the level of exposure and European competition that Ajax did. 

While Reggina, Mainz, and Manchester City all played in Europe's top leagues, they hovered around the lower to mid-table range, rarely qualifying for European competitions. The Dutch giants—Ajax, PSV, and Feyenoord—almost always had spots in the Champions League, and Ajax's reputation and influence often rivaled that of many clubs in Europe's top four leagues. 

As they had discussed, Yang Yang's agent, Guido Albers, had projected a bright future for him. Given Yang Yang's rising influence and status at Ajax, the next logical step would be a transfer to one of the big European leagues. And with his current development, he'd likely step into a starting role. 

For Zheng Zhi, seeing Yang Yang's dedication firsthand was a source of both admiration and motivation, reaffirming his own commitment to pursuing his career abroad. 

... 

... 

After three laps around the lake, Zheng Zhi was thoroughly exhausted, breathing heavily, while Yang Yang appeared unaffected, his stamina seemingly endless. 

Back at Yang Yang's home, they were greeted by Winston Bogarde, who had arrived with breakfast. Knowing that Zheng Zhi would be joining them, Bogarde had prepared an extra portion, tailored to Yang Yang's strict nutritional standards. 

Zheng Zhi, however, found the balanced but bland breakfast quite unappealing. Accustomed to heartier fare, he struggled with the modest meal. Having observed Yang Yang's disciplined eating habits during their time with the national team, Zheng Zhi now saw that his commitment had surpassed anything he'd anticipated. 

"Do you eat like this every day?" Zheng Zhi asked, a touch incredulous. 

Yang Yang nodded. "Yeah, I'm aiming to be in top form for the second half of the season." 

Zheng Zhi managed a wry smile. Such a restrained diet was almost unheard of back home, even at the clubs where he had trialed, like Hertha Berlin and Mainz. Yang Yang's level of dedication was beyond anything he had seen. 

"They say the human body is like an inverted stalactite," Yang Yang explained thoughtfully. "With disciplined training, a balanced diet, and consistent rest, you can refine your potential little by little, like drops of water forming on stone." 

He paused before adding, "Our performance is like a bowl placed beneath it, catching the drops. The question is, how much can you catch? Whether or not you fill that bowl depends on the effort you put in beforehand, the sacrifices you're willing to make, and how long you can persist." 

Zheng Zhi listened intently, feeling genuine admiration for Yang Yang. The principle itself was straightforward, but actually committing to it daily was another matter entirely. Yang Yang was only eighteen, yet he not only understood these principles but lived by them. That, Zheng Zhi thought, was truly rare. 

... 

... 

At De Toekomst, Yang Yang took the opportunity to give Zheng Zhi a tour of Ajax's renowned training facilities. 

As one of Europe's storied clubs, Ajax's training base was world-class, boasting everything from top-notch gyms to high-tech analysis rooms. The newly collaborated indoor football stadium and performance analysis center with Adidas, though still under construction, was set to push the club even further ahead in player development. 

Though Zheng Zhi had trained with Mainz and Hertha Berlin, he was thoroughly impressed by Ajax's setup. The level of professionalism and sophistication at Ajax far surpassed anything he had encountered back home. The equipment, the gym's advanced facilities, and especially the expertise of fitness coaches like Winston Bogarde highlighted the differences between European and Chinese football environments. 

While a club could quickly improve equipment with adequate funding, the professionalism and experience of the coaching staff were qualities that took years to develop. Watching Bogarde guide Yang Yang through his training routine, Zheng Zhi felt a profound appreciation for the depth of Ajax's resources and the commitment of their staff. 

But above all, he admired Yang Yang's dedication. 

While others were on holiday, Yang Yang had taken the initiative to hire Bogarde as his personal trainer and pushed himself relentlessly each day. It was a level of discipline and determination that few possessed, and Zheng Zhi understood why Yang Yang was finding such rapid success. 

Yang Yang also took a moment to ask Bogarde to give Zheng Zhi some pointers. Although they were only brief interactions, Bogarde provided corrections on key technical details in Zheng's strength training. Even these small adjustments made a noticeable difference. 

Sometimes, a single piece of advice from an expert was enough to spark growth and open new perspectives. 

... 

... 

Later that evening, Yang Yang personally escorted Zheng Zhi to Amsterdam International Airport. As they parted, Yang Yang reminded him to stay in touch and let him know how things progressed back in China. Zheng Zhi promised he would. 

In the following days, Yang Yang returned to his self-disciplined and rigorous training routine. 

Each day followed a strict schedule, almost monotonous, with little variation. But within this seemingly repetitive routine, Yang Yang could feel his strength and stamina building, his body accumulating power with each session. It was a unique sensation he could hardly put into words, as if the "water" in the bowl beneath the stalactites was filling up more and more, giving him renewed motivation to continue pushing his limits. 

On Christmas Day, Winston Bogarde took a two-day holiday, and Yang Yang traveled to Almere to visit his Uncle Shen Ming. With his cousins, Shen Yuzhu and Wei Zheng, away managing business back in China, Shen Ming and his wife were left alone, and they appreciated Yang Yang's regular visits. 

During their conversations, Shen Ming shared his plans to eventually retire and return to China once his children's businesses were stable and they were ready to settle down. 

"Retirement sounds like a good idea, Uncle. Running the restaurant is too exhausting," Yang Yang said, supporting the decision. 

Shen Ming had earned a comfortable living in the Netherlands over the years, and Yang Yang believed that returning to China to manage a small business would offer him a well-deserved, quieter life. 

The day after Christmas, Louis van Gaal drove to Almere to pick up Yang Yang, inviting him to dinner at his home. Van Gaal was in high spirits—Alkmaar had performed exceptionally well in the first half of the season, even securing the top spot at the midseason break despite a setback against PSV Eindhoven. His tactical brilliance was widely recognized, and people were beginning to see that the veteran coach still had much to offer. 

While Van Gaal was undoubtedly the standout coach of the Eredivisie's first half, Yang Yang had emerged as the season's most impressive young player. At just eighteen, he had scored eleven goals and provided eight assists as Ajax's rising star, despite missing several games for national team duty. Yang Yang's development had been meteoric; what had started as steady improvement off the bench last season had become a full-scale breakout this year. 

"You know, in Chinese you have a saying about accumulating small steps to achieve great strides," Van Gaal said over dinner. "Your basic skills are getting stronger, your first touch is improving, and you've been filling in many of the gaps in your game. But if there's one area you could still strengthen, it's your scoring instinct." 

"Scoring?" Truus, Van Gaal's wife, chimed in, smiling. "But Louis, he's leading in the top scorers' list." 

"The numbers alone don't tell the whole story," Van Gaal replied, shaking his head. "Yang Yang has one of the highest goal-to-shot ratios in the top ten, maybe even top fifteen, on that list. He's highly efficient because he takes only high-quality chances. But to reach the next level, he'll need to be bolder in creating his own chances rather than waiting for perfect setups." 

Curious, Truus asked, "Why is that?" 

"It's partly tactical," Van Gaal explained, "but it's also a matter of Yang Yang's mindset. If he continues playing a supporting role, similar to what we saw with Van der Meyde, that selectivity is an asset. But," Van Gaal added, pausing for emphasis and meeting Yang Yang's gaze, "if he wants to take up the mantle left by players like Ibrahimović or Van der Vaart, he'll need to become more assertive, taking greater risks and being willing to push for scoring opportunities." 

Yang Yang absorbed Van Gaal's words, nodding in understanding. He realized that if he wanted to elevate his game further, enhancing his scoring instinct would be essential. 

It seemed clear—he would need to work on becoming more aggressive in front of goal, shaping himself into the kind of player who could lead Ajax's attack and fulfill his own potential as a true star. 

... 

... 

In January, Ajax regrouped and headed south once again to escape the winter chill. 

Their winter training base was once more set up in the quiet town of Lagos, Portugal, with the team staying at the same hotel as last year. The atmosphere had changed slightly, however—without Ibrahimović, who had since moved on, the team's dynamics had shifted. Vermaelen, now firmly established as a mainstay, had joined Ajax's "Iron Triangle." 

Yang Yang, however, rarely joined the group for card games, often giving up his spot to Heitinga or Sneijder. Instead, he dedicated his free time to studying. This year, he faced the prospect of college, and while his parents hadn't pressured him, he sensed their hope that he would continue his education. Yang Yang also felt the desire to pursue his studies, using every opportunity to make progress. 

Aside from his studies, Yang Yang stayed connected with friends back in China. He frequently chatted online with Su Ye, who was also feeling the weight of her own goals. Her parents, Su Wenhong and his wife, had agreed to let her apply to the Chinese Opera Academy, but admission required more than just beauty—it demanded true talent and dedication. Su Ye was rehearsing for a drama, working tirelessly to secure her place. 

Meanwhile, Wei Zheng, his cousin, had been supporting Yang Yang's father, Yang Yongqiang, with the family business. True to his word, Wei Zheng managed Yang Yang's commercial interests, strategically navigating endorsements and sponsorships. Thanks to these efforts, Yang Yang's domestic endorsements alone earned him a substantial income, with additional sponsorships from Nike and his Ajax salary making for a very promising annual income. 

Wei Zheng also mentioned that more brands back in China were interested in partnering with Yang Yang. However, following Yang Yang's preference for discretion and control, he carefully vetted each opportunity, ensuring it aligned with Yang Yang's values. 

The winter break also saw big moves among his national teammates. Zheng Zhi transferred to Bundesliga side Mainz at the opening of the transfer window. Although the transfer fee wasn't disclosed, Zheng Zhi negotiated with his home club to finalize the deal, even adjusting his interests to make it happen. Mainz's young coach, Jürgen Klopp, was delighted with the acquisition, emphasizing that the transfer was driven purely by competitive needs, not market considerations. After all, as a newly promoted club, Mainz wasn't in a position to focus on market expansion. 

Meanwhile, Zhao Junzhe completed a move to Celtic before the break. Celtic had been considering two players—a Japanese midfielder, Shunsuke Nakamura from Reggina, and Zhao Junzhe. After some negotiation setbacks, and with Reggina reluctant to release Nakamura, Celtic opted for Zhao Junzhe, who was both younger and a more affordable choice. 

Now, the core of China's national team featured players in Europe's top leagues: Yang Yang in the forward line, Shao Jiayi and Zhao Junzhe in midfield, and Zheng Zhi anchoring the defense. This European presence raised fans' hopes that the national team might finally break through on the world stage and qualify for the World Cup once again. 

And at the center of these hopes was Yang Yang, the player who inspired the greatest confidence among fans, symbolizing their renewed optimism for the future. 

... 

... 

During their winter training in Lagos, Ajax concentrated heavily on tactical drills. 

Alongside their familiar 4-3-3 formation, head coach Ronald Koeman introduced an alternative tactical setup to diversify the team's approach. 

In goal, young Stekelenburg held the primary position, with veteran Hans Vonk as his reliable backup. The backline remained stable, with Maxwell as the undisputed starter on the left. Though promising, young Filipe Luís still had a way to go before challenging Maxwell's place. Vermaelen and Heitinga paired up as central defenders, while Maicon, who had regained his form in the latter half of the first season, solidified his role on the right. His offensive synergy with Yang Yang was particularly noteworthy, and following the Christmas break, the Brazilian right-back even asked to work on strength and physicality alongside Yang Yang, showing his commitment to improvement. 

The main variation in the two formations lay in the midfield and attacking lineup. 

In the first setup, geared toward controlling possession, either Galásek or De Jong held the defensive midfield position, with Pienaar and Sneijder anchoring the center. Up front, the attacking trident consisted of Wesley Sonck on the left, Charisteas in the middle, and Yang Yang on the right—a lineup they had frequently used in the first half of the season. 

The second formation, also a 4-3-3, had a more defensively-minded setup. Here, Galásek and De Jong paired as double pivots, with Sneijder positioned as the central playmaker. In attack, Pienaar moved to the left wing, Charisteas retained the central forward role, and Yang Yang stayed on the right. 

This second lineup indicated a shift towards a defensive counterattacking strategy. Koeman explained that the team's performance in the Champions League had exposed weaknesses in their defensive structure, particularly in the midfield, leading the coaching staff to seek a more solidified defensive approach. 

While Koeman's explanation was straightforward, many players speculated about an underlying reason for the new formation. It was no secret that the coaching staff was increasingly dissatisfied with Wesley Sonck's scoring efficiency. As the primary striker with the most tactical support, Sonck's output was inconsistent, especially compared to Yang Yang, whose scoring efficiency had rapidly outpaced the Belgian striker. Sonck's struggles with confidence were apparent in both games and training, where he seemed unable to deliver the sharpness and threat Ajax needed up front. 

This tactical adjustment appeared to shift more of the attacking focus to the right, favoring Yang Yang's strengths. It was clear to the team that Yang Yang had become Ajax's focal player, and most found it logical for the coaching staff to arrange their tactics around him. Yet, some wondered if Yang Yang could handle the added pressure—both Van der Vaart and Wesley Sonck had previously struggled under similar expectations. At only 18, would Yang Yang be able to shoulder this burden? 

For Yang Yang, the team's speculations and expectations only served as fuel. During the entire training period in Portugal, he maintained his rigorous routine, training with relentless focus, both morning and evening. Both Van Gaal's earlier feedback and Koeman's new tactical adjustments motivated him to push harder, knowing that his physical and mental resilience would need to match his growing role in the team. 

Yang Yang knew that to meet these heightened expectations, he needed to strengthen every aspect of his game. Only by becoming stronger could he carry the responsibility Ajax was placing on him. 

Meanwhile, Ajax's technical team was actively scouting the transfer market for a midfielder to further bolster the team's depth and address their defensive needs in preparation for the season's second half. 

... 

... 

"Galásek is already thirty-two," Maxwell noted in Yang Yang's room, sharing some information he had gathered with Yang Yang, De Jong, and a few others. "Although he's still performing well, we all know he's nearing the end of his prime." 

"Maduro and Lindgren both stepped in from the bench this season," Maxwell continued. "Maduro's shown promise, but it's clear he's not quite ready to fill that role full-time. The club's been looking into bringing in a young, capable midfielder to strengthen our depth." 

"Any specific targets?" De Jong asked, his interest piqued. 

Maxwell nodded. "One name on their radar is Demy de Zeeuw, a midfielder with the Eagles." 

"Demy de Zeeuw?" The others exchanged puzzled looks; none were familiar with him. 

Yang Yang frowned in thought. "I feel like I've heard of him—good player, balanced in both attack and defense," he said, recalling a conversation he'd had at Van Gaal's house. He remembered hearing that AZ Alkmaar was also interested in de Zeeuw and that his price was relatively affordable. Of course, he kept this information to himself. 

"Alongside de Zeeuw, the club is also tracking another player—Anatoliy Tymoshchuk from Shakhtar Donetsk," Maxwell continued. "He's 25, a solid defensive midfielder right in his peak years. Strong player, but definitely not cheap. The club even sent scouts to Ukraine to monitor him." 

Shakhtar Donetsk was a strong team from Ukraine, though their recent performances hadn't kept up with past successes. They hadn't participated in the Champions League lately, and though Ajax held greater historical prestige, they didn't have the financial resources that some Ukrainian clubs now enjoyed. Signing Tymoshchuk would require serious commitment from Ajax. 

"The last option is developing from within," Maxwell added. "Maduro has already been designated for further development in the second half of the season. There's also a young Belgian, Jan Vertonghen, who could be promoted to the first team." 

Maduro was a highly regarded prospect from the Ajax youth camp, often called "Rijkaard II." However, despite his reputation, he still lacked the consistency to challenge De Jong and Galásek's positions directly. As for Vertonghen, he was known as a versatile defender who could play multiple roles in the backline. After joining Ajax in 2003, he had been rising through the youth ranks and was recently promoted to the second team under Van Basten's recommendation. 

Yang Yang wasn't very familiar with Vertonghen, which wasn't surprising. With so many talented young players filtering through the Ajax academy from around the world, it was nearly impossible to know them all. 

Between the club's scouting efforts and the insights he'd gleaned from conversations with Van Basten and Van Gaal, Yang Yang recognized that his own opportunity was clearer than ever. The key was to deliver his best performance and show Koeman and the technical team that he was ready to take on a central offensive role. 

That night, after his teammates had retired to their rooms, Yang Yang entered the Dream Training System to work on his individual skills. When he saw Zax, he got straight to the point. 

"I think it's time for me to start learning a fourth star skill," he declared. 

"Oh?" Zax replied, his tone measured. "And why is that?" 

"I need to improve my shooting ability," Yang Yang answered resolutely.