I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 629 69: This Is Real Madrid! (Part 2)

In a cohesive atmosphere, players with intense internal resistance or strong self-awareness, unless they are god-level figures, will inevitably be isolated by the team.Benzema's emotional display is a dangerous signal. A player who plays with a gloomy face and bottled-up emotions is unlikely to gain the coach's approval.

Chen Zhong, during his time with the youth team and upon first joining the first team, was favored by the coach because of his positive, optimistic nature and his fearless approach to challenges.

Now, Real Madrid's higher-ups are seriously considering whether to supplement the center-back position with a good "support".

They don't need half-finished products; they need completed players, even if it means paying a premium, which is not a big deal for Real Madrid.

Fernando Llorente, Dzeko, Almeida, Adebayor—these powerful center forwards available to Real Madrid—all surpass Benzema in terms of maturity.

Although each of them may have their weaknesses, like Adebayor's negatives often matching or exceeding the positives, the basic quality these tall center forwards share is their unyielding effort in play and full integration into the team during matches.

This is precisely a point of criticism for Benzema, as he seems a bit too "lazy".

He appears to lack motivation.

Moreover, Mourinho is gradually realizing the type of center forward he needs.

Not Higuain, not Morata, not Negredo, nor Benzema.

What he needs is a "tank-type" center forward.

Mourinho now has lost trust in Benzema.

As the winter transfer window approaches, aside from the previously mentioned players, Mourinho recently added one more name to his transfer wishlist.

That name is Diego Milito, who won the "Triple Crown" with him last season.

The Argentine forward has scored only three league goals this season, and with his inefficiency at Inter Milan leading to doubts, Moratti no longer considers Diego Milito unsellable.

Last season, under Mourinho, Diego Milito played the best season of his career, believing he could reach his peak only under Mourinho's guidance. However, the fact that he cannot participate in the Champions League this season sets a limitation for his transfer to Real Madrid.

Recently, there have been many rumors about Real Madrid's transfers. Diego Milito's poor current form at Inter Milan has brought him into Real Madrid's spotlight, and the player's own attitude is crucial—he is willing to achieve greater success under Mourinho's management again.

It's worth noting that Diego Milito's name was already mentioned in the offices of Real Madrid's higher-ups this summer.

Mourinho had hoped that the higher-ups would bring in a forward for him, specifically mentioning Inter Milan's striker Diego Milito.

However, at that time, Diego Milito was definitely not for sale for Inter Milan, and Inter's president Moratti stated that they would not enter negotiations with Real Madrid, even extending Milito's contract to 2014.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, Diego Milito's form has sharply declined this season, and Moratti no longer sees the Argentine forward as unsellable. Some intermediaries have told Real Madrid's higher-ups that if Real Madrid sends a purchase request, Moratti might be willing to open the door for the 31-year-old Diego Milito's departure.

One reason for Diego Milito's declining form is also due to coach Benitez's efforts to "de-Mourinho-ize" Inter Milan internally.

Of course, now this Spanish coach has started to honestly replicate Mourinho's tactics again.

But all these are matters for the winter transfer window.

Real Madrid's transfers have never been simple; they only seek the best players.

At the post-match press conference, Emery, facing the cameras, admired the luxurious lineup of Real Madrid. This was a sincere sentiment from Emery, who also envied Real Madrid's ability to nurture talent.

While managing Almeria, Emery made a great impact, and the forward he relied on heavily back then was Negredo. Although Negredo did not feature in this match, Emery still mentioned his former favorite player.

He said, "I still remember the days fighting alongside Alvaro. He always managed to score and help the team in tough situations. He was a front-line assassin, but at Real Madrid, he hasn't fully utilized his talents."

"I can sense his love for Real Madrid, and Juan in the team is his good friend."

"However, I hope he realizes that success may not necessarily come at Real Madrid."

What Emery said was subtle, also highlighting Mata.

Negredo and Mata left Castilla in the same year; back then, Negredo went to Almeria, while Mata joined Valencia on a free transfer after being released.

Currently, although Negredo wears Real Madrid's No. 9, fulfilling his "dream," in comparison to Mata, who became Valencia's core player, he is still a step behind.

Of course, Emery had other thoughts mixed in, hoping to bring Negredo to Valencia.

Unfortunately, what they don't know is that Negredo has already established contact with Manchester City, where he can become a true striker, possessing the shooting rights he dreams of.

After listening to Emery, a reporter asked him which player among Cristiano Ronaldo, Chen Zhong, and Kaka poses the greatest threat to Valencia's defense.

Emery chuckled, massaging his temples, and said, "That's an interesting question."

"If we talk about goal tally, Cristiano has more, but if we're discussing the greatest threat to the defense, then I would only mention one name—Chen."

"We had to assign personnel to keep an eye on this young midfielder. He can carry the ball, shield it, make through passes, win aerial duels, and though he didn't showcase it in this match, his long-range shooting ability is a real threat."

"He gives me headaches. Before the match, I specifically studied ways to counter Chen Zhong. We did achieve some effects initially, but he later found other ways to resolve it."

In this match, Valencia used a damage-control tactic against Chen Zhong, a treatment Messi frequently encounters in La Liga or in various competitions.

However, what distinguishes Chen Zhong from Messi is his ability to shield, hold, and distribute the ball, along with an exceptional through-pass ability uncharacteristic of someone of his physique and appearance.

Chen Zhong's precise and powerful through passes, combined with the positioning skills of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka behind the defense, are truly troublesome.

All-powerful, comprehensive, adept both offensively and defensively.

This is the impression Chen Zhong left on Emery.

If his team had a player like Chen Zhong.

Whether as a single defensive midfielder, pushed to the front line, or as an all-powerful midfielder, attacking midfielder...

In any position, Chen Zhong could bring a qualitative change to Valencia.

Mourinho also accepted an interview from reporters. Upon hearing Emery's words, he mischievously smiled and said, "I understand his feelings."

"But in reality, there are many things about Chen Zhong that only his coach knows."

"Although he's young, perhaps even excessively so, he has great leadership skills. The locker room atmosphere is excellent, and he always brings positive emotions to the players on the field. Importantly, his presence greatly boosts the training enthusiasm of the younger players."

"I truly wish Emery could have a Chen as well, but sorry, there's only one Chen in the world."

Emery: Are you being polite?