Chapter 713: The Ambition of the Veteran (Second Perspective)
Huang Hu was injured and absent for at least a month, which posed a significant challenge for head coach Shafer. While he had other plans, adjusting the lineup without him wouldn't be as easy.
Through Fritz's feedback, it was reassuring to learn that the Chinese youngster was actively working towards returning to the field. Shafer breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he couldn't afford for Huang Hu to miss the German Cup final at the end of May under any circumstances.
As for the Europa League, it seemed that luck would have to play a significant role.
The club expressed full concern for Huang Hu's injury, not only arranging the best doctors to care for him but also timely offering him a contract extension.
Many top clubs, including Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Manchester City, had expressed interest in Huang Hu and De Bruyne since the beginning of the year. Especially Manchester City, who offered transfer fees and wages that were almost irresistible.
After a difficult decision, and also considering the battle for next season's Champions League, the club's top management ultimately decided to do everything possible to keep the two core players. Thus, increasing their salaries was put on the agenda.
Of course, the figures they could offer were far from what the rich clubs could offer. From what Huang Hu knew, Manchester City would pay De Bruyne ￡250,000 a week to persuade him to join. The Chinese youngster's offer was not far off.
This figure tempted the Belgian, as he also longed for the Premier League stage and dreamed of humiliating Chelsea in front of the world!
Huang Hu, on the other hand, was more rational. On one hand, he had some affection for Werder Bremen, and on the other hand, he didn't want his hard-fought battle for a Champions League spot to be in vain. Therefore, he leaned towards staying for another year.
But it wouldn't work without De Bruyne's assistance. So, the Chinese youngster was also troubled. He didn't want to block his old friend's path, but he hoped he would stay.
At the training base of Eintracht Frankfurt by the Main River, when Alexander Meyer, his biggest competitor for the Golden Boot, learned that Huang Hu had suffered a serious injury and might be out for the season, he was momentarily stunned but then continued to focus on practicing shooting.
"Hey, old buddy, aren't you leaving?" Martin Lanih asked the figure sweating profusely.
"You go ahead, I'll practice a little longer," Meyer replied without looking back, continuing his practice.
Players were usually tired after a league match, and hardly anyone would choose to stay and practice extra. But Meyer, contrary to usual, chose to stay. Lanih naturally understood the reason behind it.
"He's just one goal behind Huang in the league, and there are still many rounds to go. We will definitely support you in continuing to score. There's no need to be so anxious, right?"
"No, he will definitely come back!"
"What?"
"Huang will definitely come back before the end of the season to continue scoring. I've faced him, and I saw the desire for goals and victories in his eyes. It's about the dignity of the top scorer. He won't give up!"
At the age of 18, Meyer set out with great ambitions from his hometown team, dreaming of being noticed by top clubs and lifting countless trophies.
But he spent almost his entire professional career in mid-to-lower-table teams in the Bundesliga, achieving neither team nor personal honors. He knew his talent and abilities were limited compared to those superstars.
The football he gradually fell in love with turned into work, punctual training, and matches, enjoying life and family after work, until this season when he was so close to the Golden Boot. He was unwilling to give up such a hard-earned opportunity!
So, Meyer picked up the extra training routine he had years ago and sharpened his skills before the crucial moments.
Lanih understood and deeply empathized with his teammate's thoughts. Only a year younger than Meyer, he had a very similar experience.
He debuted at Hoffenheim but moved to the second division with Fuerth due to insufficient ability. He then moved to Stuttgart, Cologne, and now Frankfurt, also without any team or individual honors.
If there really was a trophy for the top scorer, Lanih was sure he would be even more desperate than Meyer!
Thinking of this, Lanih decisively approached Meyer and stood in front of him, surprising the German striker. "What's up?"
"How can I practice shooting without a partner? Come on, old buddy, let me accompany you and ignite our passion together!"
A grateful look flashed in Meyer's eyes. For players like them on the edge of the team, it had been a long time since they pursued football so purely.
"Alright, but be careful," he said with a chuckle.
The two of them trained for a long time until the sky completely darkened. The staff didn't urge them to leave but instead turned on the field lights.
No matter how small the club, their commitment to training would not be lacking, nor would it ever hinder players' pursuit of improvement.
Meyer and Lanih lay on the grass panting for breath, the starry night sky above them. Suddenly, Lanih burst into laughter, which puzzled Meyer. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, just reminded of a funny incident from my past," Lanih explained. "Back then, when I couldn't get into the first team at Hoffenheim, I angrily chose to leave and told the club manager, Rotthaus, that he would regret it. I told him to wait for me."
"You were so arrogant back then. Many years have passed, and he's probably not in the same position anymore. He probably forgot about me and the harsh words I said."
Recalling this experience made Lanih feel ashamed, but after a satisfying training session, he now felt somewhat relieved.
However, some things still needed to be kept secret. "Hey, don't tell the other teammates about this, or I won't spare you."
"Haha, so you've had such embarrassing experiences. I won't tell anyone," Meyer laughed and promised, knowing he himself had been young and probably had similar experiences.
"I've only told my wife about this," Lanih said, suddenly remembering his wife. "Oops, I forgot to call home!"
He quickly got up and ran to the sidelines, then took out his phone from his bag. As expected, there were dozens of missed calls displayed on it. Not daring to delay, the German quickly called back, soon hearing his wife's angry voice.
"Where have you been? I almost called the police because I couldn't reach you!" Her angry words were tinged with a hint of tears.
Lanih's heart warmed, and he quickly explained the reason, coaxing his wife and daughter.
Meanwhile, in a ordinary household in Sindelfingen, Baden-Württemberg, a nearly eighty-year-old man was lecturing his grandson. "How can you be so lazy when playing football? Today you want to go out and play with your friends, tomorrow you want to rest. No, you must finish training before doing anything else."
The little boy pouted, saying stubbornly, "Grandpa, I hate you the most. I will definitely become a superstar like Wang Feng in the future, just you wait!"
"Haha!" The old man with white hair laughed. "There have been many who told me to wait. Let me think, there was Becker, Scherff, and oh, Lanih. None of them came back to me. Will you be better than them?"
"Wasting your youth and talent is shameful. Come on, start training!" Rotthaus had forgotten many things from his youth, but he still vividly remembered the faces of those young, spirited boys who made bold claims.
Sometimes, he hoped someone would fulfill their promises and stand in front of him, telling him he was wrong, that he had buried their potential!
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