I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 223: Chapter 85: My Striker (Highly Recommended)

”Wait, Chen Zhen is a center forward?”

In the first 30 minutes of the match, both teams released their starting lineups, and although he had already heard from the coach about Real Madrid’s player configuration, seeing Chen Zhong at the kickoff point still shocked Mata.

It’s not that Chen Zhong isn’t capable; it’s simply unbelievable that he could play as a center forward in the highly competitive Real Madrid. You have to know that Chen Zhong’s predecessor, the one regarded in the youth team as ”Raul’s successor,” ”future banner,” ”Crown Prince” Soldado, while wearing the number 9 jersey of Real Madrid, is criticized as ”the weakest number 9 in history.”

Soldado had a smooth journey before joining Real Madrid, being the absolute core striker in every tier of the youth team, but struggled to secure playing time as a center forward after entering Real Madrid. Yet, Chen Zhong just stepped up?

Mata couldn’t help but feel the wonders of life and the unpredictability of fate.

During the opening ceremony’s gap, David Silva saw Mata’s surprised expression and couldn’t help but turn his head and ask, ”Why do you look like that? He’s not in midfield, so shouldn’t you be happy?”

”You were telling me earlier to be cautious of him.”

”Said he’s a cold-blooded guy on the field.”

”Told me to protect myself well.”

”Now that he’s not in midfield, why do you look like that?”

David Silva rose to fame early. In 2003, he made a name with teammate Fabregas at the World Youth Championship, scoring four goals in the 2005 European Youth Championship, and in 2006 he entered the Spain National Team for the first time. This year, with his excellent performance, he has a high chance of being selected for Spain’s European Cup squad.

Mata and David Silva have a good relationship, partly because they often collaborate on the field and partly because David Silva harbors the ”Hala Madrid” dream.

Real Madrid is David Silva’s favorite team because his idol, Michel Laudrup, played for Real Madrid. Therefore, David Silva often dreams of becoming a Real Madrid player, wearing that white robe at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to fight for the team.

In 2000, accompanied by his father and agent, David Silva participated in Real Madrid’s youth training test and left behind a photo, sweat, and memories at Sports City, but not himself.

David Silva performed well in all aspects, but the person responsible for the assessment thought he was too short and kept him out of the list.

In fact, the football world at that time preferred tall players, and short ones weren’t favored or valued.

After Mata joined Valencia, David Silva often talked to Mata about Sports City’s story. Initially, it was nothing, as both were ”eliminated” players.

But with Chen Zhong’s success.

David Silva sometimes can’t help but fantasize if he had become a member of Real Madrid’s youth training, could he be like Chen Zhong?

Mata restrained his thoughts; he couldn’t explain that he wasn’t actually afraid of Chen Zhong, just a bit regretful not having the chance to face him directly.

He also wanted to experience Chen Zhong once, then tease that monster after the match!

Meanwhile, domestic channels like CCTV-5, Guangdong Sports, and Shanghai Sports began broadcasting the match.

In the media area, familiar Chinese can be heard resonating, as several yellow-skinned, black-haired commentators energetically shout, ”This is... now bringing you live coverage of the 2007-2008 La Liga round 29 match.”

”Real Madrid at home against Valencia.”

”We can hear that at the scene, Bernabeu fans are singing ’Hala Madrid,’ a team song that has been revised twice.”

”Rumor has it that the Real Madrid Club is considering a third revision of ’Hala Madrid’ to make it more suitable for fans to sing.”

”Both teams have gradually entered the field.”

”Wearing white jerseys are Real Madrid players, and wearing orange tops and blue bottoms are Valencia players.”

”Real Madrid unexpectedly lost to Deportivo La Coruña in the last league round.”

”Without the main center forward Van Nistelrooy, they lack effective scoring methods.”

”Valencia unexpectedly beat Barcelona in the just-ended King’s Cup semi-final, successfully reaching the King’s Cup final.”

”However, the media still believes that in this clash at Bernabeu, the Bat Legion is in for a tough challenge.”

”Let’s look at the recent three league encounters between the two sides.”

”In these three encounters, Real Madrid won all.”

”The last time Real Madrid even had a 5-ball victory at Valencia’s home Mestalla Stadium.”

”This led some Valencia fans to call for revenge before the match.”

”It’s worth noting that in that match, our compatriot Chen Zhong scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist with an outstanding performance.”

”In this match, with Van Nistelrooy absent and other forward combinations not performing well lately, Schuster put Chen Zhong up front.”

”We hope he can continue his performance in midfield and defense.”

”Here, we also wish Chen Zhong good style in the game, good level!”