Chương 8: Loan Arrangement
If the first goal was based on individual skill, the second goal belonged to utilizing organizational skills, linking the team's frontcourt attack, and eventually scoring.
"This goal shouldn't have been lost!"
On the sidelines, while the coaching staff applauded the substitute team, they also expressed some dissatisfaction with the main team's conceded goal.
"The possession tactic is impressive, but it demands too much from the players!"
"Exactly, the first team has Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, and a bunch of excellent midfielders. Even a strong defensive midfielder like Mascherano couldn't find a spot and had to switch to playing as a defender."
"In contrast, our youth team's midfielders, aside from Lin, are lacking in strength. Without a powerful midfield and without a forward like Messi, who can single-handedly create chances, it's not surprising that we can't replicate the main team's possession style."
The main team did create opportunities during their siege against the substitute team. In fact, during that period, they had three shots at goal, two of which were on target but hit within the framework.
Unfortunately, the youth team's forwards significantly trailed Messi in individual skill, resulting in their shots not being converted either being blocked or saved by the goalkeeper.
As a result, the main team significantly led in ball possession but struggled to score.
This made the youth team coaches think involuntarily about the Spanish national team.
The Spanish national players dazzled, especially the midfield maestros who could form a team by themselves! Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Fabregas, Alonso, David Silva, Mata, Cazorla, Navas, every one an essential midfielder in their respective clubs.
Such a powerful midfield lineup allowed Spain to easily dominate possession in the middle.
However, Spain lacked a superstar forward, a finisher like Messi.
Therefore, the Spanish team often controlled games but struggled to score against strong opponents, finding it challenging to break through.
Two years ago in the South Africa World Cup, Spain only scored one goal in each match against strong teams like Portugal, Paraguay, Germany, and the Netherlands in the knockout stage.
Although it seemed efficient and cost-effective, the lack of striking power was evident.
While these midfield maestros all had the ability to score, their finishing skills were not top-notch compared to dedicated forwards.
So, it was common to see these players repeatedly squander scoring opportunities in matches.
If Messi chose to join the Spanish national team, the team built primarily with Barcelona players would be tailor-made for him.
The potential of such a Spanish team on the world stage was unimaginable!
Unfortunately, there is only one Messi, and he chose to join the Argentine national team.
"We don't have a good solution. Even with a powerful midfield in the national team, it's still challenging to score, right? Our problem is similar to the national team's, but our players' abilities are vastly different, making scoring even more difficult."
The coaches frowned, slightly worried about the issues that had arisen in the youth team:
Once the main team's midfield maestros retire, given the current strength of the midfielders in the team's pipeline, it would be challenging to replace them.
At that time, could Barcelona continue executing their possession tactics?
This crisis was actually more severe than the current issues in the youth team because the main team's performance affected the club's overall success.
Fortunately, they had a budding talent in their hands, Lin.
Lin's skills are already decent, and this match further garnered unanimous approval from the coaching staff.
Even though his position was a bit odd today, not quite like a defensive midfielder but more like an attacking midfielder.
But his standout performance in this match made the coaches subconsciously overlook this issue.
Additionally, young players' positions on the field are not fixed.
The team's training aims to find the most suitable positions for them to fully develop their potential.
Therefore, instead of critiquing Lin, the coaches advised the main team's defensive players to be cautious in their actions, ensuring not to harm him.
He's a gem of the youth academy and must be safeguarded, with no room for any issues to arise.
Barcelona's midfield legacy awaits him!
Meanwhile, in the head coach's office of the youth team, Enrique pulled out a stack of loan application forms from the drawer.
He searched for suitable loan destinations.
Barcelona is currently a highly esteemed football club, with La Masia producing many talented players.
Hence, many teams, especially smaller clubs lacking funds for transfers, like to loan players from them.
Spanish players are known for their technical finesse and midfield prowess.
Fortunately, Barcelona has a rich pool of midfielders, and many youth team midfielders struggle to establish themselves in the first team, often requiring loans for development.
Upon completion of the loan period, if their position at Barcelona remains uncertain, most likely, they will opt to move on.
And when they do leave, the teams that previously loaned them become their preferred choices.
After all, after adapting and integrating into the team's tactics during the loan period, they were able to assimilate into the team's tactical system.
If transferred to another team, it might require a long time to adapt.
For young players, if they fail to deliver satisfactory performances in limited game time, they might lose the coach's trust and end up being sidelined.
After all, the professional game is very unforgiving.
The more capable rise and those who don't grasp their chances are inevitably punished.
Enrique's plan took all this into consideration. He intended to loan Lin to a league not highly ranked, where the team wasn't very strong but needed to achieve results.
Such teams aren't very patient with young players. If he doesn't play well after two or three matches, the opposing coach might run out of patience.
In that case, sitting on the bench for a year in that team, even if Lin is talented, he might be wasted.
Furthermore, if he doesn't shine in that year, Barcelona would have sufficient reasons to reject his contract extension.
In this way, President Rosell's task would be fulfilled.
According to his requirements, he eliminated teams outside the top five leagues.
The teams in those leagues were not strong enough, and Barcelona's youth team players could easily secure a spot in the first team.
The level of the top five leagues is much higher. Even those from La Masia Academy at his age wouldn't be able to become regular starters.
Among the top five leagues, it's apparent that the teams from La Liga submit the most loan applications to Barcelona.
But Enrique doesn't plan to loan Lin to other teams in La Liga, as these teams play Barcelona at least twice a year.
When these teams face Barcelona, the media would naturally bring up the loaned players from Barcelona, keeping Lin's presence in the hearts of Barcelona fans strong, making it difficult to overlook him.
So, he first ruled out La Liga.
The English Premier League teams were initially very appealing; the physical contest there is robust enough.
However, young players, especially Spanish ones, seem to have an inexplicable resistance to playing in England.
The chilly weather of the British Isles, fierce physical contests, rough fouls, and lenient refereeing do not favor technically skilled Spanish players.
Therefore, Lin is very likely to refuse a loan to the Premier League.
Ultimately, after considering several factors, Enrique found a league that he believed to be the most suitable and where players are not likely to refuse—The Bundesliga!
And conveniently, a team from the Bundesliga had submitted the application!
In that case, the choice is clear—you, Werder Bremen!
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