Chapter 87: Investing In The Future Part 2
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Hearing his son say something like that, the father who was standing at the side, sighed. It was apparent that he could not do anything about it. Tang En thought he found the reason why the child was so quiet and did not like to talk.
Tang En shook his head. “I don’t agree. I think you look great when you smile. If you open your mouth and smile, you look just like the great beauty, Julia Roberts.” Hearing this analogy, Bale could not help but laugh. That was too comical. How could a young boy be like a woman?
“Besides, look.” Tang En slightly opened his mouth just like Bale, who was standing in front of him. After that, he nodded his head and said to the kid, “Isn’t it very cool? Very focused?”
Seeing Tang En nod his head, Bale followed suit and nodded his head reflexively.
“That’s the way. Football stars are all like this.” Tang En touched Bale’s headful of soft, brown hair. “Besides, you have to learn from your father.” Tang En pointed at the short, plump man.
The father and son had similar facial features, but why hadn’t Tang En noticed that when he first saw the kid? Probably because his attention had been completely fixated on the chattering. Of course, Tang En did not want Bale to learn his father’s habit of chewing his tongue, but instead to learn the confidence that his father displayed—daring to speak up, daring to show off. That would be good enough.
“Your father is very impressive, kid.” Tang En knew that this man’s endless chattering must have been a result of speaking to his quiet son for a long time.
Bale nodded his head vigorously. “I understand, Mister. Thank you, Mister. I am also very happy to be able to play for Nottingham Forest.” Although his voice was very soft, that was the longest sentence that he had said for that day.
“Yes, yes, I know. Now go back and celebrate with your father!”
Tang En sent the two people out, and when they reached the gates of the training ground, he shouted and stopped the man. “Mr. Bale, your son still doesn’t have an agent, right?”
Father Bale nodded his head and replied, “No, he doesn’t.”
“Alright then. In that case, I hope you can be his agent.”
He understood Tang En’s meaning. “Yes. Thank you, Mr. Twain.”
Tang En smiled and shook his head. “From today onward, it’s me who has to thank you and your son. Goodbye.”
After bidding farewell to the delightful father and son pair, Tang En prepared to return. Kerslake was standing behind him, looking at him with a face that was all smiles.
Tang En felt immensely creeped-out by his smile and shrugged his shoulder. “You have something to say, David?”
“Des once told me that the Tony Twain he saw in the past six months had been an eye-opener for him. I intend to say the same words again today. Gareth Bale is only a normal football apprentice, and yet your attitude toward him made me understand the reason why you are regarded so highly by Paul.”
Hearing such bare naked praise, Tang En felt slightly guilty. If he had not known Bale’s accomplishments in the future, he would not have taken the spare time to care for a small kid that could be eliminated anytime from the professional football scene.
Although he felt guilty, Tang En still smiled and boasted shamelessly. “David, there will be more such eye-opening experiences for you in the future. Hehe!”
Tang En had signed the first player ever since he had become a manager, and it was an extremely important investment for his future. That was because he firmly believed that he would ultimately remain at Nottingham Forest, and rule over City Ground Stadium. That was why he dared to spend so much effort to find young players to join the youth training camp of Nottingham Forest.
At first, Tang En thought that the youth team was merely one football team. However, when he became the supervisor of the youth training department, he found out how terribly wrong he was. Youth team was only a common term for all of the youth players, but there were many different teams of various age groups under this common term. Nottingham Forest’s youth training system was always exceptional and comprehensive. It had a team for each age group, but the players were rarely able to receive training at the training grounds. Most of the trainings were conducted in Nottingham’s primary and secondary schools. The players would take cultural lessons while receiving professional football training at the same time. That was the case for Bale, who had just turned 13. He had been assigned to the U14 youth team, and in another two years’ time, he would be able train there every day when he joined the 16 and under youth team. Of course, should Bale’s performance be exceptional, Tang En would promote him in advance, like Theo Walcott, who represented “The Saints” in a U14 competition when he was 12 years old. He received the U17 team’s jersey from the club when he was 13 years old. By the time he was 14, he was already representing Southampton for their U19 youth matches!
Speaking of this Walcott, Tang En knew that the future had been altered due to his interference. In the original world, Walcott was Bale’s roommate at Southampton. Their relationship was quite good, and they would have been playing for Southampton together. Yet now, because of his flagrant interference, Bale and Walcott’s fated encounter would completely disappear, just like that.
Nobody knew who would become the roommate of the Little Tiger, Walcott.
After poaching Bale, Tang En stopped going out to search for “wonderkids.” On one hand, he could no longer think of any players who he could sign for free at that point. On the other hand, most of the young players with potential had already been signed by other clubs and were under strict supervision. Either that, or Nottingham Forest did not have the ability to attract them.
For instance, Tang En knew that the extremely famous football genius and midfield master, Francesc Fàbregas, was still on Barcelona’s B team at that time, troubled and dejected over his unforeseeable future. But in reality, Tang En knew that Wenger had been keeping a close eye on this young man for quite some time. If everything were to go smoothly, he would be brought to Highbury by the French manager in January next year.
With Nottingham’s current ability and fame, was it even remotely possible to snatch the players from powerhouses, who had been eyeing them for a long time?
The answer was negative. A team like Nottingham Forest, which was struggling in the second tier English League, had completely no appeal for those young and talented players. Only if they made it to the Premier League, would Tang En be able to compete for players with these powerhouses.
Tang En decided to put the focus of his job on coaching the U18 youth team and George Wood. After letting Wood join in the team for training, his performance made Tang En feel a sliver of relief. Although he was still not good enough, he was almost a completely different kid from a half year ago, who did not know anything. The foundation which he had built over half a year, had finally born fruit, with his moves and posture having some decent form. This time, Wood not only looked like he was playing football, he was actually playing football.
There were times when Tang En thought to himself, Will I be able to nurture a talented midfielder that will be able to shock the entire English football scene? A player just like Francesc Fàbregas, who will be able to amaze the whole of England the moment he enters the field. However, their specialties were completely polar opposites: one was adept at organization, while the other one was adept at destruction.
Upon thinking about it, Tang En thought it was a pity. How good would it be, if the two of them were able to pair up? One would organize attacks, while the other one would become his body guard. Snatching back the ball once they lost possession, and counterattacking after snatching back the ball. This kind of midfielder duu would be unrivalled!
Hey, wake up! Wake up, Tang En. What are you doing, daydreaming in broad daylight?
Wiping off the saliva on his mouth, the pitiful Tang En still had to face reality. For a poor and no-name youth team manager like him, he had better start by developing the potential from his own team.
The English U18 youth team league was about to begin on August 16th, leaving him with little time left.
