Şahin displayed his skills in a meeting with the fans and media, showing that his injuries did not really defeat his body. But the voices of doubt about him still lingered. Fortunately, he came to England and did not understand English. There were less worries since he could not read or hear how the media evaluate him. Furthermore, Twain told him that, as a professional player, the best way to counter doubts was not to argue with the other parties in the media, but to use his performance on the field to give them a slap on the face.
At the same time, Twain’s suggestion to Evan about the psychiatrists was also in place. Four female physicians, from young to old, had a wealth of clinical experience in mental therapy at the football clubs. Their first “patient” was the former Turkish genius, Nuri Şahin.
Dunn teased Twain, “You don’t really need to hire them. You are the best psychiatrist for these players.”
Twain made a face and said, “I’m not the key to everything. I can’t do every job.”
※※※
Barcelona’s newly appointed manager, Guardiola, stood on the sidelines of the grassy training ground and was being interviewed on a television station. He talked a lot about the outlook for the new season and was now talking about the transformation of the rear defensive line. He said, “Gabriel is adapting and doing a good job. I don’t think it’s a good idea for Carles (Puyol) to always play as the center back… I know where Barcelona’s weakness in the rear is and we need a center back who is outstanding at headers, tall, strong, great at jumping to make up for this weak spot…”
“It is rumored that Barcelona has contacted with Nottingham Forest’s Piqué. Is this true?”
“I don’t want to deceive you. The truth is that our people have made an offer to Nottingham Forest. But so far we have not received a response.” Guardiola shook his head.
They certainly had not received a response from Nottingham Forest because Nottingham Forest is struggling internally with this offer.
Barcelona had made a bid of ten million pounds for Piqué. This price was not low for a center back. The crux was Twain did not want to let Piqué go. For three seasons, his partnership with Pepe had long been the main stay at Nottingham Forest. Both of them were tall, excellent at aerial defense and physically strong. They played expertly in the Premier League which paid particular attention to physical strength. With his outstanding performance at the Forest team, Piqué was also selected for the Spain national team and also won the UEFA European Championship with the team this summer. As a player, he had already won the Premier League, the Champions League and the UEFA European Championship titles at the age of twenty-one.
What Twain was afraid of now was that he did not have any extravagant demands. Because that meant the reason he was best at using to appeal to people now lacked persuasion.
He held the Barcelona’s offer for two days, and Piqué finally found him today.
“Boss, can I talk to you after the training?” In between practices, he walked up to Twain on the sidelines of the training ground and said in a low voice.
Twain, who was discussing plans for the new season with the other coaches, glanced at everyone. Then he turned to Piqué and said with a smile, “That’s strange. You never ask to speak to me on your own.”
Piqué was a little embarrassed. He scratched his head and said, “It’s good to have the first time, then there will be a second time…”
Twain laughed when he heard him say so. But he said nothing, and just nodded his head.
※※※
At the same time, in another crowd of people.
“I bet that guy, Gerard wants to leave.” The man who said this was the other center back, Pepe.
Everyone was surprised. What surprised them was not the fact that Piqué wanted to leave, but that this remark was uttered by his center back partner. They should have a good relationship with each other. Should he not express some unwillingness in his partner’s departure?
Pepe found everyone looking at him and knew what these people thought. His straightforward face smiled, “What? I’m not the one who’s going to let him go.”
“I don’t think there’s any reason to go. It’s good here. Why does he have to go?” As a member of the rear defensive line, Bale naturally hoped that everyone would still be together next season. Stability was the first requirement of the rear defensive line.
“Little monkey, he came from Barcelona, and now Barcelona beckons him. Do you think he can resist?” Pepe was very clear-eyed about this.
“I still can’t understand…” Bale muttered.
“Some people are crazy about money…” At this, Pepe glanced at Ribéry, sitting outside the crowd, “Some people care more about fame; some people are loyal; and some people dream of playing for their hometown teams…It’s all quite normal.” With these words everyone regarded Pepe differently, as if he were a profound philosopher.
“If he must leave, no one can stop him. I think the boss knows this too…”
Pepe stopped talking because Piqué had ended his conversation with Twain and was walking this way.
Sitting outside, Ribéry looked at Piqué walking over and fell into a contemplation.
※※※
Seeing Piqué go, the coaches came over again.
“It must be because of Barcelona, right?” Someone asked.
“Absolutely.” Twain shrugged. “We beat them twice on the field and now they’ve got a chance to get one back at us…”
Everyone looked at Piqué’s back and did not know what to say for a while.
※※※
After the training, everyone showered in the locker room and went home. Piqué knocked on the door of Twain’s office.
Twain sat alone in front of the computer and played Minesweeper out of boredom. When he saw Piqué opened the door and walked in, he stood up and shut down the Minesweeper game.
“I know what you’re here to talk to me about.” Although he stood up, he did not step out to greet him. He just pointed to the couch next to him and motioned for Piqué to sit with him.
“The matter with Barcelona is probably…” He meant to say, “troubling you.” But he felt it sounded wrong when the words were about to come out of his mouth. The matter was not so simple because Twain had no idea whether this “troubled” Piqué. So, he coughed, “What do you think?”
“I…” Piqué was quiet for a moment and finally made up his mind. He lifted his head and said, “I don’t want to lie to you, boss. Barça’s invitation is very attractive for me.”
“Bigger than staying at Nottingham Forest to continue winning the championship titles?” Twain asked in return.
Piqué was silent again. He knew what the temperament of the manager of this team. It was not okay to lie. If he were to tell the truth… he did not know if the boss would be angrier?
In the end, he decided to tell the truth. After all, the boss might get angry if he told the truth but if he lied to him, the boss would definitely be angry—as to why he knew Piqué was telling a lie, it was because the media had already disclosed the truth… Damn the media!
“Honestly, boss. It’s hard for me to turn down Barcelona’s invitation.”
Twain nodded. That was what the media said. Piqué still had a lot of affection for Barcelona. After he made his name at the Forest team in the first place, Real Madrid spread the news that they wanted to buy him. At that time, he expressed his loyalty to the team. He said, “I’m not leaving Nottingham Forest. I’m doing well here.” Finally, when the media relentlessly asked him hypothetical questions, he said, “If I have to go, I will only go back to Barcelona.”
Those words came true today.
“Go on.” When Piqué became quiet after he said this, Twain could only indicate for him to go on. He said, “Tell me all your thoughts, I’m not an unreasonable person.”
Therefore, Piqué spoke his mind. The general idea was that he was cultivated by La Masia even though Barcelona did not give him a chance at that time. Hence he was forced to leave for England. But his heart would always belong to Catalonia. As long as Barcelona needed him, he would toss everything aside to step across all trials and tribulations and not be afraid of any difficulty to risk everything to help out—well, though he did not say that, Twain felt that this was what he meant—Moreover, he had already obtained his personal honors. He was still young and wanted to meet new challenges in Barcelona. In addition, the familial pressure was also great. His relatives were loyal Barcelona fans. His maternal grandfather was once the vice-president of the Barcelona Football Club. How could they not be loyal? His entire family wanted Piqué back in his hometown.
“So, in other words… Your dream is to play for Barcelona and play there until you retire?” Twain asked.
“If possible, yes, it looks that way.”
Twain sighed, “So, that means I have helped Barcelona develop a good center back and solve the problems in their defensive line at a critical moment?”
Piqué did not know what to say. He felt that the boss was angry.
Twain was certainly angry. This was a player whom he developed after much efforts. With one sentence of “need to strengthen our defense” from his former owner, this hopeful star player immediately “answered their summon” … He would not be normal if he was not a little angry. He was not so generous that he could wave and said, “Piqué, my brother, please feel free to go pursue your dream.”
“I don’t want you to go, Gerard. You’re very important in our team. You play well with Pepe in your partnership. Do you know what defense means to me?”
“Championship title, boss.” Piqué’s reaction was quick.
“So, I hope you can stay here.” Twain sat in the boss’s chair with both hands covering his lower abdomen as he crossed his legs.
Piqué was silent for a moment and then shook his head, “Boss, this is hard.”
Twain did not rail at him. Instead, Twain just looked at him wordlessly.
In fact, Twain knew in his heart that he could not make Piqué stay. Piqué and Ribéry were completely different. Ribéry was purely about the money. It was easy to achieve this goal. While what Piqué pursued was ten million times more illusory than money—loyalty. It was not loyalty to Nottingham Forest, but loyalty to Barcelona.
He graduated from La Masia, trained in La Masia from an early age, and his family members were Barcelona’s most loyal fans for generations. He had received this education since he was aware: Barcelona was the best club in the world. Barcelona was the only team he loved and followed. It was a great honor to play for such a great team. Even if he did not win a championship title, there would be no complaints. Even if Barcelona was relegated one day and on the verge of bankruptcy, he would not change his love for this team…
This was what gave Twain the biggest headache. He could still use the carrot and stick to deal with Ribéry, increased his salary, and inspired him with a sense of honor and loyalty. These were totally useless to deal with Piqué. His loyalty was dedicated to Barcelona, for which he could even accept a reduction in his annual salary. If this was a different situation, people might say he was doing something demeaning despite knowing so. But in the football world, this was loyalty and rallying to a worthy cause!
Twain frowned. He did not want to let Piqué go—not because the team must have Piqué. The La Masia kid’s position was different from Ribéry’s position—the reason was this: which manager would not want to have more and more capable players under their command and not fewer and fewer?
To be honest, there was one player in the team who could replace Piqué now. It was Belgium’s hopeful star, Vincent Kompany. But Twain felt sore to just let Piqué go in vain.
After considering it for a long time, Twain chose to resign to fate. He had urged him to stay and did all he could. He could only surrender to fate. Some things could not be settled with hard work. In Piqué’s case, “destiny” obviously surpassed the “facts of life” with overwhelming advantage.
Twain finally nodded his head slowly and imperceptibly. “Well, I understand what you’re thinking. I don’t think it’s appropriate to force you to stay, and I don’t want to destroy my relationship with you. So… that’s it.” He spread his hands a little helplessly.
Piqué did not smile. He straightened his back and said to Twain as he sat on the soft couch, “Boss, I like you and my teammates. I also love this team and the fans. Although I’m a player who graduated from La Masia, I’m equally aware that without you and Nottingham Forest, there would be the Gerard Piqué of today.”
Twain was stunned by his inexplicable words. He froze where he was and did not know what had happened. Could it be that Piqué suddenly had “a prickling of his conscience” and changed his mind about leaving? What was going on?
“I know the club’s financial situation is not good at the moment … In fact, I like to play here under you, boss. I do not know why, but I feel very relaxed. I want to give you a farewell gift. You won’t refuse, right?”
Twain opened his mouth as he became more and more confused.
“With my cooperation, Barcelona may need to raise the offer again.” At this point, Piqué finally smiled. But he smiled deviously and somewhat embarrassed too.
Twain did not smiled. He looked straight in the eyes at this center back who would soon no longer be his player and could no longer call him “boss.”
※※※
A day later, Nottingham Forest officially responded to Barcelona’s ten million offer–they refused!
“With two Champions Leagues titles, one Premier League victory, the absolute main stay and core defender in my team, how can he be only worth ten million?” Twain said angrily in an interview, “I don’t believe Barcelona can’t show enough good faith.” Everyone in the industry knew that Twain was used to refer to “money” as “good faith.””You know, they’ve spent almost one hundred million euros this summer.” In fact, it was not quite one hundred million. Barcelona had spent seventy-three million euros so far.
Then it was not known how Piqué asked his agent to talk Barcelona. In fact, the general meaning could be guessed—it was certain that Piqué wanted to go back to Barcelona! But! Nottingham Forest would never let go of their main center back so easily. Furthermore, everyone knew what kind of man Tony Twain was in European football. All the negative words created by all mankind were not enough to be used to describe him… And analyzing this rationally, this was not about his reluctance to let go of the main center back. It was clear that Nottingham Forest thought the money was too little. Did they not heard that they were building a new stadium now? The supposedly sixty thousand-seater stadium must cost a lot of money…
Barcelona’s second offer soon came, which was sixteen million pounds! About twenty million euros!
To offer such a bid for a center back, one of the important reasons was because Piqué was a Catalan in addition to the fact that he was a defender who had proven himself. Guardiola was an authentic product of Barcelona. He cared more about keeping the purity of the pedigree more than his predecessor, Rijkaard. As a result, he cleaned up a large number of players from the former dynasty. One of the reasons was because he believed that as long as the player was not a real Catalan and Barcelona person, he could not really give one hundred percent of his effort and loyalty to this team. This group of people could not be relied upon. Look at what Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto’o had done in the past two seasons…
Nottingham Forest did not care what Guardiola thought since they felt good about this price anyway and nodded their agreement.
And so, the young Gerard Piqué who was made off with by Tony Twain from La Masia, went through the trials and finally made his mark. When he was tired, he wanted to go back to his roots, so he returned to his original hometown of Barcelona. It was a touching development.
A cheesy inspirational story of adventure…
There was no ceremony during the farewell. The Nottingham Forest team were in training at Wilford. For these professional players, it was simply a person leaving. Such a scene would be repeated every summer. At first there would be people who felt sad, and now after their experience in professional football, they were used to it.
Piqué packed up his things he had put in his locker in the locker room and carried his bags to the training ground to say goodbye to Twain.
“I did not think you’d come specifically…” Twain was a little surprised.
“I just wanted to take another look, boss.” Piqué stood by his side and looked at the grassy training ground. His former teammates were training hard on it. The assistant manager, David Kerslake’s ever-vibrant voice rang out constantly to remindi these people not to be lazy.
“When I came here from La Masia, I never thought there would be today. I thought I wouldn’t have that kind of feeling about another training ground except for La Masia and Barcelona. Thank you, boss.”
“I’m not your coach anymore. We will be enemies the next time we meet and these people here are…” Twain pointed to the training ground and said, “You know, how Nottingham Forest has always been to the enemies…”
“No mercy.” Piqué helped him finish the sentence.
“It’s good that you know.”
“So, I’m leaving, boss.”
Only then Twain turned to look at him. He opened his mouth, “I mean in the event that, if, just in case, if, perhaps … if it turns out that you might not be able to stay in Barcelona, you can come here.”
“Then I must be too old to play football at that time.”
“Did not you hear what was said outside? ‘Nottingham Forest is a nursing home!’” Twain laughed.
“I’m a Catalan.”
“This fact really annoys me.”
“If I wasn’t a Catalan, I’d be in the Forest team playing out my remaining years, boss.”
“There is no such thing as ‘if’ in reality…” This fact made him feel helpless. Demetrio had also said a similar thing to him in the same tone.
“Goodbye, Gerard. I wish you all the best.” He turned his face back and continued to look at the field.
“Goodbye, boss.” Piqué turned and strode away from the sunny Wilford. His agent was already waiting for him in the parking lot, from which they would go straight to Heathrow and then fly back home.
The wandering son had finally returned home, like a falling leaf returning to its roots. In this dense Nottingham Forest, after more than a hundred years of precipitation and accumulation where the soil below had long been covered, the ground was covered with layers of thick leaves, but not one leaf was called “Gerard Piqué.
