I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 674 - 89: The Missing Talent

In the news media, when something happens in the match commentary, there are no issues.Moreover, Chen Zhong has always maintained a good image in the media narrative.

Earlier, some of his interviews have reshaped many people’s perceptions of Asian players. Facing the camera, Chen Zhong was eloquent and articulate, rather than being reserved and introverted, entering people’s view for the first time.

Mourinho is not overly concerned about Chen Zhong winning the Ballon d’Or; his focus has already shifted to the next season.

Having seen Morata’s performance in this match and Benzema’s compliance after being "schooled", Mourinho is no longer keen on introducing a center forward.

He now recognizes clearly that it is the left-back position at Real Madrid that truly lacks depth.

Previously, Marca reported that the Real Madrid hierarchy recognized the urgent need to bring in a backup for Marcelo, stating that it was even more urgent than introducing a number 9 center forward.

Because Real Madrid already has Higuain, Benzema, and Negredo in the forward line.

Chen Zhong, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kaka can also play as forwards, and even Morata, who plays for the second team, and Joselu, who plays in Castilla, can step up when needed.

However, in the left-back position, not to mention Marcelo’s attacking strength and defensive weakness, if Marcelo were injured, Real Madrid’s defensive line would be stretched thin, potentially costing the team significantly.

There are even reports that Real Madrid’s hierarchy, after the winter transfer window closed, conducted a deep reflection, believing that if there was anything done poorly in team planning last summer, it was the failure to bring in a left-back.

In Real Madrid’s squad, virtually every position is secured with two players. For example, on the left there’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Callejon; on the right there’s Kaka and Di Maria. Some players can play both flanks, distinguished only by their strong and weak foot, cuts inside, and stretching wide.

Some positions even have an overabundance of personnel, such as the midfield.

Not to mention names like Chen Zhong, Khedira, Alonso, which are well-known, while players like Granero and Parejo are waiting for a chance...

But in the left-back position, there is only one player, lacking assurance.

During the summer transfer window this year, Marca actually listed five players, highlighting Benfica Club’s left-back Coentrao as a likely candidate. He is a compatriot of Mourinho, and his agent is the super agent Mendes, who also represents Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, etc.

And on Wednesday, Portugal’s sports newspaper Record reported that Real Madrid had finalized the transfer of Coentrao. The two clubs have signed a "Knight’s Agreement," only waiting for the season to end for Coentrao to officially join Real Madrid. The agreed price between the two clubs is 30 million Euros, the same price Real Madrid paid for Pepe.

Perhaps this is exactly why Real Madrid hasn’t spent heavily to bring in a left-back since there are players or young talents who can fill in at left-back.

Moreover, Real Madrid Club has high expectations for Coentrao.

Record stated that Mendes played a crucial role in the agreement between the two clubs, and Coentrao is one of the best left-backs in the world. He has been linked to Real Madrid several times before, and clearly Real Madrid is willing to pay such a high price for him, viewing him not just as a backup for Marcelo. In the eyes of the Portuguese media, Coentrao is the best left-back available on the market today.

After the report from Record came out, many newspapers and websites reprinted it. However, people are still not entirely sure about the agreement between Real Madrid and Benfica, so their headlines either indicate "according to Portuguese media" or end with a question mark, expressing skepticism.

Mendes’ assistant Robert Kalinda denied the media reports: "These are all media speculations. I can tell everyone that Coentrao has not reached an agreement with Real Madrid or any other club."

But Robert then added: "Real Madrid has a strong interest in Coentrao, and many other big clubs are also interested in him. We are talking about a very outstanding player, and such occurrences are quite normal, even though I must reiterate that no agreement has been reached now."

Concerning Mendes and his assistant’s various statements, the Spanish media believe this is merely common practice by agents to inflate the player’s value as much as possible. It is likely that this 30 million euros figure is one they disclosed themselves, as the current market estimate for Coentrao is only 12 million euros.

It’s undeniable that Mourinho is indeed interested in Coentrao, and it is said that he was following Coentrao since his time managing Chelsea.

This Portuguese left-back dares to push the offensive to the opponent’s baseline, is very fast, and possesses the ability to break through. He has a strong assisting ability but can also control what’s behind him.

This already makes him much better than Marcelo, and Marcelo’s defensive issues are well-known.

Moreover, Coentrao can play on both the left and right sides.

The season is already more than halfway through, and Mourinho has an approximate understanding of Real Madrid’s strengths and weaknesses. And if Chen Zhong wins the Ballon d’Or...

Then Real Madrid will unprecedentedly have three Ballon d’Or winners on the team at the same time.

This is something Mourinho hasn’t experienced before.

...

Before the announcement of the Ballon d’Or, the British specialist football magazine "442" ranked the top 100 football stars of 2010, with Chen Zhong from Real Madrid topping the list. This is a ranking that was expected yet unexpected, surprising many fans.

It is noteworthy that the Barcelona players occupy the most places in this list, with 12 players making it into the top 100 football stars.

In 442’s ranking of the top 100 football stars of 2010, Chen Zhong from Real Madrid was at the top, and the second, third, and fourth places were also from Barcelona Club, namely Villa, who scored 5 goals in the World Cup, Xavi, who made it into the Ballon d’Or top three, and Messi, the runner-up in the Silver Boot by statistics.

Among the top 10, there are 5 Barcelona stars, with Iniesta at 7th, Pique at 9th.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo ranks behind Messi, Villa, and Xavi, standing at fifth place.

From the sixth to tenth positions are: Sneijder, Drogba, Iniesta, Eto’o, Pique.

Among the top 100 stars of 2010, Barcelona has 12 players, the most of any club.

In the whole of Spain, in addition to Barcelona’s 8 Spanish internationals, Fabregas, Torres, Casillas, Xabi Alonso, Ramos, Navas, David Silva, Reina, etc., have all made it to the top 100 stars list.

Although the overall trend has been set, Barcelona has not given up on their promotions:

Ballon d’Or candidate Iniesta: Barcelona’s genius among geniuses, the perfect grand slam hero.

Ballon d’Or candidate Messi: New generation of Barcelona’s king, breaking record after record in 5 years.

Ballon d’Or candidate Xavi: The living legend of Barcelona, the unwavering core for 10 years.

Correspondingly, Real Madrid also promoted Chen Zhong with the slogan.

Ballon d’Or candidate Chen Zhong: The leader of Real Madrid, the light of Asia, the leading figure of the 90s players.

As time passes, the first award ceremony after the merger of the Ballon d’Or is about to begin.

The entire Real Madrid team is taking a charter flight to the scene.