After the training match, Chen Tao clearly felt that the Arsenal players' attitude towards him had changed somewhat.
Especially Fabregas, who had been brimming with confidence before.
Having debuted as a child prodigy, he appeared introverted and shy, but in reality, he was incredibly arrogant.
He even thought everyone would know his name.
Until just now, Fabregas had reverted to being introverted and shy.
Chen Tao was drinking water and resting by the sidelines when Xiao Fa timidly approached him.
"Hey, mate!"
Chen Tao ignored him, but Xiao Fa bit the bullet and continued.
"You're Chen, right?"
"Chen Tao."
"Chang... Tao?"
"What is it?" Chen Tao was too lazy to correct his pronunciation.
"How did you do that just now, that move?"
Xiao Fa tossed the ball to his feet, trying to imitate it, but couldn't.
Pfft...
Chen Tao almost spat out his water.
During the match, Chen Tao received the ball in front of the penalty area, chested it down to the ground, and used a move called a 'stationary single-foot spin' to continuously shake off Gilberto Silva and Gallas.
Logically, this move was pure showboating and useless in a real match.
As far as he remembered, there was a certain 'Round God' in football who loved to use this move and was ridiculed by the whole world.
Chen Tao had a flash of inspiration at the time and managed to adapt it on the fly.
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A useless trick, in the right person's hands, instantly transformed into a deadly killer move!
Chen Tao perfectly shook off both players and burst into the penalty area, assisting Adebayor for the goal.
This scene had a huge impact on Fabregas!
He had been playing football for over a decade, and this was the first time he had seen the ball played like this?
Especially afterward, Chen Tao deliberately used many unscientific dribbling moves from street football, perfectly combining visual flair with practical effectiveness.
Arsenal's first-team starting defense had no answer against a 15-year-old kid; only physical collisions could stop him.
Fabregas admitted to himself that he couldn't do this, which is why he was completely convinced and took the initiative to ask for guidance.
"You can't learn it."
Chen Tao threw away his water bottle and turned around coolly, leaving Xiao Fa dejected.
The way to make a genius less arrogant is simple: just display talent that he cannot reach.
Actually, Chen Tao didn't dislike him; a mere Fabregas was not worth mentioning.
Chen Tao just felt it was unnecessary; Xiao Fa's playing style was not suitable. His footwork needed to be combined with a simple and efficient playing style, quickly getting rid of defenders and releasing the ball in time to unleash his creativity in the attacking third.
Holding onto the ball too much would only make Fabregas lose his threat.
Approaching Wenger, it seemed the professor was quite satisfied with him, always smiling.
"So, coach, can I stay?"
Max-level skills, having dribbled past Arsenal's first-team defense. If he couldn't stay after that, there would be no logic to it.
Wenger nodded:
"Not bad. Your skills and talent are the highest I've ever seen in a player. Truly interesting."
Hmm?
Interesting?
Having stayed in London for a long time, Wenger had also picked up the English habit of insincere politeness.
Whenever you hear the professor praise your report as 'interesting,' or a friend praise your work as 'interesting,' it's definitely not a good word.
"But?"
"It seems you're prepared, so I'll be direct."
Wenger, in his training kit, tried to put his hands in his pockets but couldn't find them.
His restless hands could only cross his arms.
"Undeniably, you are one of the most skilled players in the world... But you are only 15 years old. Theoretically, you should be honing your skills in the youth team."
"I've understood your desire to play in the first team and be a starter."
"Frankly, there isn't a place for you in Arsenal's first team right now. The Premier League emphasizes physical confrontation, speed, and efficiency the most."
"Your playing style isn't suitable, if I may be frank. Even if your skills surpass Fabregas, on the field, I would still choose him, understand?"
Wenger spoke a lot in one breath, then paused and continued patiently persuading:
"So, I hope you can stay with the U18 team, play more youth team matches, and get used to the England football atmosphere. This will be very helpful for you."
"Furthermore, you have no prior background. It's difficult for me to apply to the board for special genius clause treatment for you. Without a work permit, you also cannot play."
Wenger originally thought that saying all this would discourage him.
An arrogant young genius couldn't accept rejection, either leaving in a huff or becoming disheartened.
Clearly, Chen Tao was not like that.
The arrogant trickster on the field was surprisingly calm off it.
"I understand, and I can accept that. Do you have a Plan B?"
Wenger was even a little unaccustomed; he felt he was conversing with an adult as an equal, rather than persuading a child.
"There is one, yes. You can choose other clubs. We can sign you and then loan you out. If you can prove yourself in professional matches, we can absolutely apply to the board to arrange a work permit hearing for you with the FA."
"Currently, the club has a good relationship with Ajax, so sending you there is no problem. We can promise you a starting position."
"Ajax, you say?"
The Eredivisie is considered a 'rookie village' for stars, so it's a good choice.
If it were before, without having acquired his talent, let alone Ajax...
Even if some unheard-of club in Eastern Europe invited him, Chen Tao would have joined without hesitation.
Now, with divine talent, Chen Tao's ambition was much higher than before.
He hoped to prove himself in higher-level competitions!
Seeing that Chen Tao was not entirely satisfied, Wenger raised an eyebrow and offered another name.
"If you don't like Netherlands, you can also go to another team."
"Our club maintains a good relationship with them, it's just..."
"Just what?"
"Their situation is very bad. They are heavily in debt, and their management team is also very chaotic. I'm afraid they might go bankrupt at any time."
Wenger also didn't know why he was analyzing so much with a 15-year-old boy. He rubbed his chin and advised earnestly,
"I don't really recommend it. I can't guarantee you'll get to play matches if you go there."
"Which club is this?"
"Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund."
...
Looking at Chen Tao's back, Arsenal assistant coach Pat Rice, affectionately known as "Uncle Rice" by fans,
stood beside Wenger, rather curious.
"I feel like you're really considering putting him in the first team."
"Of course, if he can perform at half his level on the field, it would be enough to unleash terrifying energy."
"Ah? That perverted?"
Pat Rice had never seen Wenger evaluate a youngster so highly.
The last time was a 15-year-old midfielder in the youth team, Jack Wilshere.
"Who do you think is stronger, him or Jack?"
"Jack?"
Wenger shook his head with a chuckle, turned and walked away with his hands behind his back.
Uncle Rice was stunned for a moment, then quickly caught up.
"Come on, tell me, who's stronger?"
...
"So, you're only staying in England for a few days, and then you're going to Germany again?"
"That's right."
"Chen Tao, you're not messing with us, are you? If you have difficulties, just say so. Don't do anything foolish."
Hearing his mother's worries, Chen Tao was exasperated.
What kind of thought process was that?
His father understood him better:
"Don't listen to your mother's wild guesses. Going to the Bundesliga is a good thing, it's just that Dortmund isn't doing too well lately. You should think about it carefully. No matter what, we'll support you. Go ahead and pursue it with confidence."
"I know, Dad."
"If you don't have enough money, tell us. Don't try to tough it out."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Tao felt a little more confident about his uncertain future.
The reason he firmly chose Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga was for no other reason than believing in his own premonition.
Dortmund, after enduring this slump, would surely usher in a period of explosion!
...
These two days, while training with Arsenal, he also finalized the contract.
Since Chen Tao temporarily did not have an agent, Arsenal Football Club specifically hired a lawyer to review the contract for Chen Tao and eliminate legal risks.
Of course, Chen Tao was still half a year away from turning 16, so he couldn't sign a professional contract yet. He could only sign an apprentice contract, with a weekly wage of 100 pounds.
At the same time, a clause was attached stating that when Chen Tao turned 16, the apprentice contract would be upgraded to a formal player contract.
Positioned as a "star of hope," signed for 3 years.
Salary: £5750/week;
Bonuses: £1300 appearance fee, £750 Ballon d'Or, £700 assist bonus;
Additional clause: 25% annual increase;
Borussia Dortmund was temporarily unable to cover these expenses, so Arsenal would pay 100%.
Thus, in the Emirates Stadium press conference room, Chen Tao and Wenger shook hands and signed the contract in the presence of media reporters.
Photos of Chen Tao holding the Arsenal No. 24 jersey appeared on Arsenal's official website.
A 15-year-old joining was not news that would cause a media sensation.
Only in a corner of The Daily Star was a news item published:
"Arsenal recently signed a professional contract with a 15-year-old Chinese young midfielder. Wenger claims he is a rare genius player who has not played for other teams before and may be loaned to a Bundesliga team in the future..."