บท 16: The second Ronaldo?
After securing a victory, there's a noticeable sweetness in the air.
That was the prevailing sentiment for Ajax's chief scout, Hans van der Zee, on Sunday morning.
The previous night at the Amsterdam Arena, Ajax delivered an outstanding performance against De Graafschap, the visiting team.
After Hans van de Haar's early goal in the third minute, Ajax swiftly responded, with their star player Van der Vaart equalizing in the sixteenth minute.
While the first half saw an evenly contested match, the second half was dominated entirely by Ajax. Van der Vaart netted twice, with additional goals from Sneijder, Garasek, Pienaar, Maxwell, and Boukhari. The final result was a commanding 7-1 victory for Ajax at home.
This triumph alleviated pressure on Ajax, especially given their ability to rely on the talents of both Van der Vaart and Sneijder in crucial moments.
In the four games where Swedish striker Ibrahimovic was absent, Van der Vaart emerged as a standout, netting six goals in four matches. This resurgence has once again shone the spotlight on Ajax, particularly on Van der Meyde.
Van der Meyde has been a standout performer for Ajax this season, particularly excelling as a right winger. His impressive performances have attracted interest from several of Europe's top clubs, leading to speculation about a potential summer transfer.
Defense has been Ajax's Achilles' heel this season, with young talents like Heitinga and Chivu still in the process of maturing. Despite this, Ajax's attacking prowess has been formidable, spearheaded by the dynamic duo of Van der Vaart and Ibrahimovic. Their goal-scoring prowess has propelled Ajax to the top of the Eredivisie standings this season, with multiple players reaching double figures in goals, signaling a flourishing attack.
Among them, Van der Meyde's contributions as the team's vital right winger have been pivotal. His potential departure would undoubtedly be a significant loss for Ajax's attacking options. However, should offers materialize from larger clubs, Ajax may find it challenging to retain him.
In the mid-1990s, following the disbandment of Louis van Gaal's Champions League-winning generation, Ajax struggled to retain their star players and transitioned into a talent factory for European giants.
However, it's precisely this circumstance that has spurred Ajax to prioritize scouting more than ever before.
Identifying raw talents, refining them, and subsequently selling them at lucrative prices has become the hallmark of Ajax's management strategy—a necessary means for survival in the fiercely competitive landscape of European football.
In a recent match, Ajax secured a resounding 7-0 victory, while Eindhoven suffered a 3-1 defeat to Feyenoord. Although Kežman managed to score for Eindhoven, Van Hooijdonk's hat-trick, including two goals from penalties, tilted the scales in Feyenoord's favor.
Nevertheless, Ajax managed to narrow the gap with the league leader by three points.
With only two rounds remaining, the title race remains wide open.
Entering the scouting office at De Toekomst, Ajax's training base, with a buoyant demeanor, Hans van der Zee reflected the club's proactive approach.
Ajax's scouting network extends far beyond the Dutch mainland, encompassing regions in Northern Europe and Africa. These areas represent crucial hubs for Ajax's scouting efforts, with the club closely monitoring players and compiling tracking reports through their network of contacts.
The assistant diligently compiles these reports into a book and delivers them to Van der Zee every morning.
As per routine, upon arriving at work, Van der Zee immediately delves into the report.
Though Ajax may have relinquished their glory days of the early 1990s, they remain a formidable presence in European football, renowned for their esteemed youth training program, which naturally attracts aspiring talents from across the globe.
The influx of player information inundates the team daily, a familiar sight to Van der Zee. Amidst the plethora of details, tucked away on the final pages of the report, he encounters a recommendation for a young winger from the Amsterdam area, touted as the "second Ronaldo." Yet, this fails to pique his interest.
"The second Ronaldo?" Van der Zee muses. "We've heard that title too many times this year. But how many truly live up to it? Can he execute a step-over like Ronaldo? That alone is insufficient. Moreover, he's merely a right-back with just two games under his belt."
With a disappointed shake of his head, Van der Zee closes the report, placing it on the edge of his desk. A bitter smile tugs at his lips as he reflects, "The quality of the scouts seems to be declining this year. Perhaps it's time for a reorganization."
Technical director Leo Beenhakker's departure from the club during the summer, prompted by differences in strategic vision and future plans, underscores the challenges Ajax faces in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of football.
As the board searches for a fitting technical director, it's rumored that the chairman has already made his selection. Hans van der Zee, currently serving as the interim technical director, recognizes the importance of this transitional period. Sensing the uncertainty surrounding the future of the scouting network once the new director assumes office, Van der Zee sees an opportunity to enact reforms.
Realizing the significance of this moment, Van der Zee believes it's imperative to streamline the scouting network while he has the chance. By optimizing operations and enhancing efficiency, he aims to secure favorable outcomes. With the impending transition, the future of the scouting network remains uncertain, making it all the more crucial for Van der Zee to act decisively.
...
...
As Van der Zee grappled with his concerns, Yang Yang, in the southern suburbs of Amsterdam, wrapped up his morning training at the Almere skateboard park, drenched in sweat as if he had just been doused with a bucket of water.
The rising temperatures since the onset of May only intensified his exertion.
His recent breakthrough with his first goal in the last game infused Yang Yang with a newfound sense of confidence, spurring him to push himself even harder in training, both last night and today. Yet, amidst his dedication, his thoughts remained fixated on the Amsterdam Arena.
The mere contemplation of it left him awestruck, serving as a stark reminder of the disparity between himself and the young talents at Ajax.
Watching the match live upon his return to Almere last night, Yang Yang couldn't help but feel a sense of inferiority witnessing Van der Meyde's stellar performance on the right flank, while Van der Vaart's impeccable technique and innate talent left him in awe. Remarkably, these two players were not much older than he was.
The chasm seemed insurmountable, compounded by their access to superior training facilities. Faced with such formidable competition, Yang Yang realized that without relentless dedication and hard work, he would inevitably lag further and further behind.
The middle-aged Dutchman, a familiar figure at Yang Yang's training sessions, returned once more, his routine unchanged—he still carried two bottles of water, assumed his customary position, and remained silent, patiently awaiting the conclusion of Yang Yang's specialized training program. As Yang Yang wrapped up his session, the Dutchman offered him one of the water bottles.
"Thank you," Yang Yang expressed his gratitude, accepting the water and wiping away his sweat with a towel.
"Yesterday, you played the entire game. This morning, you not only doubled your training but also increased the intensity. Aren't you already training enough?" the Dutchman queried, his tone tinged with a hint of concern.
Yang Yang chuckled, detecting the subtle concern in the Dutchman's words. "I know my body well enough," he reassured.
His training regimen was regulated by the stern directives of the Dream Training System. If he pushed himself too far, the system would intervene.
"You seem preoccupied with something," the Dutchman remarked with certainty.
Yang Yang was taken aback. "How do you know?"
"It's written all over your face," the Dutchman quipped.
Though he recognized the jest, Yang Yang instinctively reached up to touch his face, eliciting a rare smile from the usually solemn Dutchman.
"I heard you had an impressive performance yesterday—two assists and a goal. Your success rate in one-on-one situations has also improved significantly. It seems your recent specialized training has yielded positive results, and your fundamental skills have noticeably improved. So, what's on your mind?"
Initially cautious of the middle-aged man, whose name remained unknown to him, Yang Yang gradually warmed up to him over time. With each interaction, he found the man to be benign—merely observing his practice sessions and engaging in casual conversation. With time, Yang Yang's wariness dissipated, allowing him to open up more freely. Thus, when the man inquired about his concerns, Yang Yang hesitated briefly before confiding in him.
"It's only natural. These individuals have undergone rigorous and professional football training since childhood. The basics you're currently honing, they were mastering by the age of 8 or 9," the man remarked with a tinge of reluctance.
"I understand," Yang Yang nodded, his expression betraying a flicker of frustration. "But I find it hard to accept."
"What are you aiming for?" the man inquired.
After contemplating for a moment, Yang Yang voiced his apprehension, "Do you think it's possible for me to catch up with them?"
"I'll be frank—it's an uphill battle. Yet, the fact that you're acknowledging the gap but still entertaining the idea suggests you're willing to put in the effort," the man replied.
"What do you mean?" Yang Yang probed further.
"When we first met, you mentioned giving everything a shot before determining the outcome," the man recalled.
Yang Yang felt a sense of relief wash over him upon hearing this. Gazing at the middle-aged Dutchman, curiosity swelled within him.
"When did you play for Ajax, where did you play? Did you play like Van der Vaart, Van der Meyde, Sneijder, or Litmanen? What was it like to play in the Amsterdam Arena?" Yang Yang inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"When I played, Ajax's home stadium was called De Meer Stadion. They moved to the Amsterdam Arena in 1996, so I don't know what it's like to play there, but..." The middle-aged Dutchman's voice trailed off, bitterness flickering in his eyes before he swiftly resumed, "I've never played for the Ajax first team. I've been there as an opponent, but the experience wasn't much different."
"I see," Yang Yang nodded, absorbing the information. However, a new question surfaced in his mind, "Why do I often meet you here?"
"Because I enjoy watching you train," the middle-aged Dutchman admitted candidly.
"Why?" Yang Yang pressed for further clarification.
"It was a bet between me and Truus, my wife," he explained. "I wagered that you wouldn't stick to that mundane basic training for a month, but she believed you could."
"And then?" Yang Yang couldn't help but find amusement in becoming the subject of an elderly couple's bet.
"We made a pact. The loser has to fulfill a request from the other," the Dutchman elaborated.
"And now..." Yang Yang trailed off, his curiosity piqued.
"I hope you succeed," the middle-aged Dutchman expressed earnestly.
Yang Yang was momentarily rendered speechless by his frankness. Although he harbored a desire to inquire about the stakes of the bet, he refrained, deeming it impulsive. After all, it was a matter between the elderly couple.
"It's nearly time. I have a golf game to attend," the middle-aged Dutchman announced as he rose from the bench, casting a parting glance at Yang Yang before departing.
"At your current rate of progress, within a week at most, you should start reducing the ball training appropriately. Focus on maintaining your touch and refrain from chasing after the ball blindly. It'll only impede your performance," he advised before pausing, as if recalling something. "Oh, and dedicate more time to practicing your left foot."
With those parting words, he departed without further ado.
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