My light shines on Arsenal

Chapter 223 Farewell and Rebirth ([-])

"Marco, do you really want to leave?"

"I don't know, Joao, let me think. I don't know."

White Horse Bar.

The bar is very quiet. On days when there are no football games, it is as calm as a coffee shop.

Three silhouettes were outlined in the corner, three young men sitting around a table with three untouched glasses of beer.

"The atmosphere here is quite suitable for drinking alcohol." Jorginho flicked the glass, "But I don't have this habit anymore."

"Me neither." Wilfred Zaha pushed the wine glass one centimeter away.

"It seems that I am the only one who needs it." Verratti smiled bitterly and stared at the golden liquid in the cup.

Jorginho looked at his friend, "Marco, we were brought to London together by the coach. Think about it, what were we like before? Hanging out with a group of young people of the same age in the lower leagues of Italy, hoping to We were spotted by the first team. But now we are Premier League players and part of the teams participating in the Champions League this season..."

Verratti remained silent.

Zaha watched the two of them carefully. As the first direct descendants of Chen Yao brought to Arsenal in the summer of 2011-12 season - at least this is what Zaha thinks - the relationship between the three of them has always been good.

Moreover, Zaha felt that he had a great time last season.

Arsenal competes on multiple fronts in leagues, cups, and intercontinental events, providing him with many opportunities to play, and Zaha's performance is getting better and better.

Although Zaha had criticized his playing time for a while, after Gervinho left the team, Antoine Griezmann, who was about the same age as himself, took over the starting left winger position.

But Griezmann's performance in the Premier League convinced Zaha. He and himself are two different styles of players, but compared to himself, Griezmann's speed in integrating into the team, his agile performance in the tactical system, and his teammates With their tacit understanding, they quickly caught up with or even surpassed themselves who came a season earlier.

So Zaha has no complaints.

Coupled with the fact that as the schedule gradually deepens, he has more and more playing opportunities. Zaha is very satisfied with his time at Arsenal.

Without the transfer that summer two years ago, he would now be either sitting on the bench at Manchester United or hanging around at Crystal Palace.

Today's life is beyond his reach.

He thought that the 2013-14 season would be the time when their three good friends would continue to shine. Arsenal must seek further progress on all fronts in the new season, and their chances would only be more.

But Marco Verratti, the little man who seemed least likely to leave the team, actually wanted to leave the team.

"Marco, think again." Zaha also advised, "We are a team full of hope. You are also full of hope. Why go to France? The football there is not as good as that in England."

Verratti finally picked up the glass and took a sip of wine, "Wilfred, Jorge, I don't know. I understand what you are trying to persuade me. I also love you very much, love Arsenal very much, and respect you very much." Mr. Coach...but I can’t turn down this opportunity casually.”

He spread out on his seat, "Last season, Aaron performed very well. In the second half of the season, Aaron almost became a regular starter. There is also the new addition Kevin. Jorge, I want to play football."

"You can go and talk to the coach, Marco." Jorginho said, "My playing time has also been reduced. The coach does not choose players based on personal likes and dislikes. Train well and talk to him. You still There can be opportunities to play.”

Verratti looked at Jorginho and smiled: "You are right, Jorge, your playing time has also been reduced."

Jorginho fell silent.

A team is lucky to have a talented group of midfielders, but not those players.

Especially young players who need a lot of playing time.

"Ultimately, Jorge, we will be direct rivals. It's not good for us. It's not good for the team."

"We can play together, we can work together, and we can show Mr. Coach how good our combination is."

Jorginho looked complicated.

"Jorge, I believe, I believe our combination is the best in Europe. Maybe one day in the future, we will realize this dream in the Italian national team." Verratti was a little excited, "But to have that day , we all need time and need to grow.”

After Verratti said this, he shook his head feebly, "I don't want to leave either, Jorge, I like it here too. If I didn't have feelings, would I still hesitate? If I didn't have ambition, would I still hesitate? It's just that , what choice do I have?"

"Then compete and beat your teammates." Jorginho said softly, and he added helplessly, "You are right, this may not be good for us..."

"And I'm different from you." Verratti smiled bitterly, "I'm only six feet three inches tall. In the Premier League, such a figure is a flaw in the midfielder position. Jorge, you don't have such troubles. Wilfer Reid, you don’t need to worry about this.”

"But I need it." He said, "This weakness will only be exposed more and more. I can work hard on many things, but this is a physical talent, so there is no way to work hard."

"The physical intensity in France is lower than in the Premier League. Thiago Motta is already [-] years old, and Mr. Blanc promised me enough playing time. I will have a relaxed environment and a generous contract. Enough opportunity to play. Please understand me, Jorge, Wilfred." Verratti wanted to drink all the beer in the cup, but gave up.

……

"I have to take this into account. But I will not betray Arsenal. I will not help PSG lower the price. Mr. Coach, I will never hurt you or this team."

In Chen Yao's office, Marco Verratti finished his last words.

Chen Yao nodded silently, after listening to Verratti's reasons.

This conversation was private. There were no other coaches or agents, just Chen Yao and Verratti.

This was the first time in Chen Yao's career that he met a player he had personally introduced and asked him to leave.

"Marco, thank you. I will not hurt you or hinder you." Chen Yao sighed, "You have a unique talent, and your talents will always shine. I have some thoughts about you. At the tactical level, we have ways to help you maximize your strengths and avoid your weaknesses.”

"I plan to start contract extension negotiations with you this season. I know your weaknesses, but I have never considered giving up on you."

Verratti smiled and said, "Thank you, Mr. Coach. I am forever grateful to you. This is my sincere words."

"So...do you still want to leave?"

"sorry sir."

Verratti said softly.

……

Inside Dick Lowe's office.

"Thirty million pounds, Dick, this is my bottom line. The Qataris are not short of this money. Marco's talent is among the top in Europe, and a worth of thirty million pounds will look like a robbery in five years' time."

"It seems Marco has made his decision." Dick Law said with regret.

"If you can add a second transfer sharing clause and a buy-back clause, add them to me."

"I see."

"We must consider the interests of the team, Dick." Chen Yao said dullly, "But don't ask for excessive prices. You have experience and skill, and you know how to measure it."

Dick Law's eyes shot to Chen Yao from behind his reading glasses, "You are very similar to Arsena. For his players, Arsena never puts obstacles in the way of where they want to go."

"This may make me look like an idiot, but it may also allow us to win everything." Chen Yao shook his head. He seemed to be shaking his head too many times recently.

He can't be without pressure.

The Miracle Challenge was a stone weighing on his heart. This task was extremely ridiculous, and he didn't know what was waiting for him if he couldn't complete it.

But the unknown was what made him most nervous.

Verratti's decision to leave is not good news.

He is right. Arsenal's midfielder is now full of talents. It is difficult for him to achieve substantial growth in the limited time. Even if Chen Yao has the badge ability, it can only enhance the player's progress, but cannot replace the player who played the game. reward.

And Verratti's physical flaws will indeed become a weakness for opponents to attack.

Despite this, his technical characteristics can still bring sufficient tactical benefits to Arsenal in specific games.

Selfishly speaking, Chen Yao should force Verratti to stay and make every effort to gamble on victory in the "Miracle Challenge", but he chose to respect the player's wishes.

Part of the reason is that Chen Yao does not want to sacrifice players to develop himself, and part of the reason is that Verratti's playing time may indeed shrink further.

Because Arsenal finally ushered in the return of a long-lost injured player.

Last season, Chen Yao successfully made Ramsey find himself. Now, he has another person to save.

Jack Wilshere.

(End of this chapter)