Capítulo 12: Heading to Bremen
"Luis, are you crazy? Offering him ten times the bonuses, that's almost at the level of a substitute in the first team!" After Lin left, Zubizarreta angrily questioned Enrique.
But Enrique wasn't bothered and smiled, "Mr. Zubizarreta, please don't be so excited. Lin plays as a defensive midfielder in the youth team, not a forward. It's not easy for players in this position to score goals. Though his stats were good last year, those were just from youth team matches. When he enters the Bundesliga, at such a high level, it's difficult to secure playing time, so achieving remarkable stats might not be possible. Moreover, Werder Bremen is a declining team, financially troubled, and many star players have left. They're hardly competitive in the Bundesliga and hardly win many games in a season. So, without enough goals, assists, and wins, most of these bonuses won't apply to him even if they're higher. But even if they're higher, what's the difference?"
After hearing Enrique's explanation, Zubizarreta calmed down.
"So, you're painting him a pretty picture, but it's a pie in the sky he'll never get to eat?" he said.
Enrique chuckled, "Haha, you could say that. If by chance he really does deliver an outstanding performance, he can naturally win these bonuses. So, it all depends on whether he has the capability!"
"Haha, do you believe that yourself?" Zubizarreta, a former professional player, couldn't believe a young player under seventeen could lead a declining team to success. Not even Messi had that capability at that age, let alone an ordinary player. That kind of talk might deceive someone inexperienced, but it wouldn't fool an old hand like him.
Enrique nodded, "Lin is too young. He probably doesn't understand how harsh professional football can be."
They calculated a young player based on their own experience, and if this got out, it would likely be disgraceful. But they had completed the task given by the club president and instantly felt relieved.
So, Enrique proposed, "How about relaxing after work today? I know a few nice places…"
After signing the loan agreement, Lin bid farewell to a few friends from the youth team.
Deulofeu was somewhat reluctant to see his friend leave, but when he learned that Lin had been loaned to a Bundesliga team, he felt a bit envious. "Why didn't any team consider me? Am I not good enough?" After all, he had represented the first team several times, so he should have had more recognition than Lin. But now that Lin had been loaned out and he was being ignored, Deulofeu couldn't understand it.
"If you really want to be loaned out, you could apply to the club, and I'm sure they would let you go!" Barcelona was very willing to let young players not currently playing in the first team go out for experience. Furthermore, Deulofeu was a highly regarded prospect at Barcelona, so if he applied, the club wouldn't refuse.
"I, I think I'd rather stay. After all, wearing the red and blue for Barcelona has always been my dream…" Upon hearing Lin's words, Deulofeu hesitated again.
It was obvious that he was only saying this and didn't want to leave Barcelona, even if there weren't any openings for him at the moment.
Lin shook his head helplessly; Barcelona had many choices for wingers. Messi, Alexis, Pedro, along with Villa, were able to play on the wings. It was almost impossible for the young Deulofeu to take their positions.
The season was drawing to a close, and the new season would usually start training in July, so Lin had enough time to prepare.
"I'm a little worried about you going to Germany alone," said Serra at dinner. "I've heard it's very cold there, and the eating habits are completely different from here. I'm worried you won't be comfortable there, won't accustomed to the food, and it's so early for you to play adult team matches. I'm afraid you'll get hurt…" After that, Serra looked at Guardiola with a hint of blame, as if blaming him for not consulting her before deciding to loan out Lin.
A mother's concern for her child traveling a long distance for the first time, and to a foreign country, made her very worried.
Guardiola coughed awkwardly; this actually, wasn't his decision, it was Lin's own request. "I know some people over there in Germany. I will speak to them and have them take care of Lin. You can relax," he assured her.
After announcing his resignation from Barcelona, after receiving numerous invitations to coach, many of which came from German Bundesliga clubs, including the dominant force, Bayern Munich. Because of this, he knew many of the Bundesliga clubs' management. As long as he asked, those people would be willing to help him out.
Serra, who had known Guardiola for many years, had no doubts about his connections.
Hearing Guardiola's words, she was slightly relieved, but still not entirely at ease. "Can those people be trusted? They might promise to help, but not really be attentive!"
Uh… these words made Guardiola unsure how to respond. He also couldn't guarantee that those people would be committed to their promises.
Seeing the worried look on his partner's face, Guardiola continued, "How about this? After this season ends, we'll go to Germany together, sort out everything for Lin, and also personally greet the higher-ups at Werder Bremen's club, so they take extra care of him. How does that sound to you?"
With Guardiola's arrangement, Serra finally wore a satisfied smile on her face.
"Sounds okay, Lin, what do you think about Pep's plan?" Lin nodded repeatedly. When Guardiola personally made the move, what could he say? As soon as she heard about going to Germany, Guardiola's 11-year-old daughter, Maria, immediately lit up and demanded to go skiing in the Alps. The Alps' ski resorts are the best in Europe.
So, the family enthusiastically made a plan to travel to Germany.
Twenty days later, at the Calderon Stadium, Barcelona won the Copa del Rey by defeating Athletic Bilbao with Pedro and Messi's goals. This was the 14th championship trophy Guardiola had won after coaching Barcelona, and it was the last one.
After the end of the season, when media around the world were speculating on which team Guardiola would coach next, the whole family quietly boarded a plane and arrived in the northwestern German city of Bremen.
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