Chapter 1 German, Bayer Leverkusen

"This kid's vision and positioning are absolutely top-notch!"

"Damn it? How are his starting speed, footwork, and physical confrontation abilities so terrible?"

"Ah! He is a Dragon Descendant (referring to someone of Chinese descent), he will definitely make a lot of money for the club. Our Bayer Leverkusen has been laying the groundwork in the Dragon Country (China) market for so long, we need a Dragon Country star to blossom and bear fruit!"

"Yes, yes, just like Wolfsburg. The Dragon Country player they signed, even though he never played, brought a series of commercial returns!"

"Li Kang is a mute... uh, aphasic! No sign language is needed!"

A game video was playing on the big screen.

Several technical analysts and marketing specialists were discussing it enthusiastically.

Sports Director, Voller, stood with his hands on his hips.

He laughed loudly, "You can't evaluate this kid's skills according to Bundesliga standards. I think he's fully capable of playing in some garbage time during games! Hurry up and make an offer to Barca!"

In the eyes of this legendary German superstar, Li Kang's footwork was much stronger than that of the Dragon Country national team.

"But what about the head coach?"

"That car mechanic? I'll take care of it!"

It's rare to see such an arrogant sports director.

Voller was an exception.

His career was filled with two words: arrogance.

....

Barcelona.

Laughter erupted from the office.

"Voller is such an idiot!"

"A Dragon Descendant who has represented the Spanish national team, and he will still help the Dragon Country market? So ignorant!"

"Dragon Country fans will definitely sneer at this kind of traitorous behavior! Bayer Leverkusen is helping me solve a big problem!"

"We accept his offer!"

"Li Kang's own wishes? What wishes could he have? He's short of money! Bayer Leverkusen will give him several times more salary than La Masia, and tiered bonuses! He's a mute, not an idiot!"

"No need to arrange a face-to-face meeting with him. My time is precious! Just call and let him know!"

"Yes! Even if Suarez wants to leave Barca one day, I will have the same attitude!"

Robert raised his hand, urging the little assistant.

It was the summer transfer window.

The transfer procedures in this parallel space-time were very simple.

......

The next day.

Li Kang, dragging his suitcase, boarded the flight to Dusseldorf.

When he received the transfer notice.

He didn't have much reaction.

On the other hand, Aunt Sofia went berserk, wielding a big stick, ready to go and cause trouble for Robert.

But when she heard the benefits Bayer Leverkusen offered.

She was like she had been injected with a tranquilizer.

"So, Li Kang earns more money in a year at Bayer Leverkusen than I do in five years working in the cafeteria?"

"The air ticket is also reimbursed by Bayer Leverkusen?"

It was now 2015. Although Xavi had left, Barca wouldn't have a spot for youngsters.

Denis Suarez, who was several levels better than Li Kang, could only be loaned to Villarreal.

Enrique was not like Guardiola or Vilanova, who liked to promote youngsters from La Masia.

The front line had a historical-level attacking trio - MSN.

Rakitic in midfield, although not the same style as Xavi, was good at both attacking and defending.

Not to mention Enrique, even if you tied a dog to the Barca coaching seat, it wouldn't give Li Kang any first-team opportunities.

....

On the plane.

Li Kang was engrossed in reading a football web novel.

In other football novels, the protagonist is always kicked out of Barca at the beginning. It's too old-fashioned. Readers can guess the following plot with their butts.

Going back to Barca to be a lapdog? Nope!

Avenging Barca? Readers are tired of it.

This book is different. The protagonist transmigrates and starts as the captain of the national youth team, receiving a system mission of "being banned by the Football Association and expelled from the national team", but his family sent too much money, so no matter how much he scolded the coach, hit his teammates, or went on strike, he couldn't be expelled from the national team.

The more he read, the more interesting it became.

Expectations were high!

...

Su Xiaonuan put down her game console.

She looked around boredly.

Her eyes were suddenly drawn to the Asian boy in sportswear.

Wow, he looks so good when he smiles!

His fingers are also so beautiful!

A boy who loves to read gets extra points!

I just don't know what country he's from. If he's from Korea or Japan, that's definitely a big deduction!

Hey, the book he's reading is in Chinese!

Great, he must be from Dragon Country!

What?

How can the book title be so vulgar!

Too superficial!

Su Xiaonuan was very disappointed.

She decisively looked away.

Then she took a few more glances!

Only then did she put on her headphones and continue playing the game.

.....

More than three hours later.

Li Kang walked out of the arrival gate.

He saw an eye-catching van.

The body of the car was printed with the Bayer Leverkusen team logo.

A tough old man with silver hair opened his arms to him.

"Welcome, my little genius!"

"I have to tell you, next time don't land at Dusseldorf International Airport. You're not joining that team in the same name in the 2nd Bundesliga!"

The staff next to him were holding a camera, ready to record Li Kang's entire joining process.

At the same time.

Bayer Leverkusen's public relations department had made arrangements with the Dragon Country football media.

The club's Chinese official website and social media accounts in Dragon Country.

Simultaneously released an official announcement.

Other sports media followed suit.

"Dragon Country youngster Li Kang joins Bayer Leverkusen!"

"A sword seals the throat in the European Youth Championship, Dragon Descendant soars through the sky!"

"The treasure of La Masia officially begins his Bundesliga journey!"

Bayer Leverkusen spent a lot of money to buy traffic promotion packages on various online platforms.

It didn't have much effect.

The sparse comments weren't very positive.

-[Do they think Dragon Country fans are fools? Wolfsburg played this game already. Is Bayer Leverkusen just copying? And he's a Dragon Descendant, pfft!]

-[That water dispenser at Wolfsburg became a laughing stock for all of Asia. Bayer Leverkusen is really stupid!]

-[Who is Li Kang? Never even heard of him!]

-[The Chinese Super League has money now. Europe and South America are playing the game of export and domestic sale, hyping up so many "Dragon Country geniuses", disgusting!]

-[If Li Kang can play in the Bundesliga, I'll eat thirty pounds of sh*t! It's the Bundesliga! Not friendlies and small cup matches!]

-[Let me tell you the script, first the home welcome ceremony is very grand, then let him wear the No. 10 jersey! Cheat a wave of jersey sales!]

.....

BayArena.

Voller personally organized an extremely grand joining ceremony.

The specifications were even higher than Little Pea's joining ceremony.

Bayer Leverkusen has been setting up the Dragon Country market for more than ten years! They've tasted a lot of sweetness!

Welcoming Li Kang to join will definitely be worth it!

Li Kang's physical examination process was simplified.

He quickly changed into a black jersey.

Number 10!

Çalhanoğlu, I'm sorry.

When he walked out of the dark tunnel.

Hundreds of "fans" let out deafening cheers.

Camera lights flashed wildly.

Li Kang couldn't help but smile.

The German actors are very rigorous and dedicated.

....

Two days later.

Bayer Leverkusen, Sports Director's office.

Two assistants said sadly, "Boss, we've only just figured out the attitude of the Dragon Country market. They're not buying it now... the feedback is very bad..."

Voller lit a cigar and said unhurriedly, "Why the rush? The new season doesn't start for more than a month!"

"But..."

"Don't worry, even if it's a failed signing, Bayer Leverkusen won't have any losses. I value Li Kang's potential very much!"

The two assistants exchanged glances and twitched their lips.

What potential?

That guy is already 17 years old...

His level isn't even as good as Bayer Leverkusen's youth team.

"Bayer Leverkusen youth team?"

The two assistants were shocked: Can the director read our minds?

Voller slapped his head: "I'm too damn amateur. Quickly let Li Kang play games with the youth team! Tell Toppmöller to give him the starting central midfielder position!"

....

"Starting position? Voller is crazy! Why is he making such a crazy decision! Our youth team's next game is very important!"

"How can he be a sports director like a club chairman!"

Tate Ren training base.

A man with an afro wearing a suit roared at the assistant.

Completely ignoring Li Kang who was standing aside.

"Mr. Toppmöller, don't be angry, the director said that if you don't agree, he will..."

"Enough, Dragon Descendant boy, go warm up!"

"Kai! Tell him about our tactics!"

Toppmöller scratched his head, like a defeated rooster.

The youth team players all looked sideways.

They had already known about Li Kang in the team newspaper.

The five minutes of playing time in the European Youth Championship were forcibly cut by the staff into ten minutes of "wonderful highlights".

A tall teenager ran off the court and reached out to Li Kang.

"Li! That super long through ball you made in the European Youth Cup was awesome! Let me tell you about our tactics... uh, let's warm up first!"

Li Kang smiled.

Although he was a fake fan in his previous life, he could recognize the teenager in front of him.

Kai Havertz.

This guy was representing Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and Champions League at the age of 17. According to the timeline, it seems like it was next year.

After a simple warm-up.

Li Kang put on a B-team vest and started participating in the group scrimmage.

"Beep!"

With the assistant coach's whistle.

The game officially began.

The small players trained by Bayer Leverkusen's youth training system are very comprehensive and very smart.

Whenever Li Kang received a pass from his teammate in the middle, two players would immediately come forward to press him, blocking his forward passing line.

Not only that.

When he ran to prepare to respond to his teammate.

Someone could always block his position.

Their football IQ and tacit understanding were amazing.

A few minutes later.

Toppmöller sat on the sidelines, loosened his tie, and said to the assistant coach, "He's as slow as a tortoise. Bad habits of Spanish tiki-taka. Record this kid's situation and data. Write a report to Voller, advising him to... what's going on?"

Li Kang gradually adapted to the rhythm of the German youngsters.

He started to speed himself up.

He seemed to be faster than all the other players on the other team!

Twisting free on the spot!

Passing!

Receiving the ball!

The timing was always one step ahead of the opponent!

The A team's small players' pressure on the frontcourt had no effect.

The loose midfield defense.

Under his connection, it was torn to pieces.

The B team's formation was frantically pushed into the depths of the A team's half.

The A team's big central defender decisively rushed to intercept.

Li Kang easily shook off the opponent and sent a through ball to the side!

As precise as a scalpel.

Piercing into the A team's penalty area.

Havertz started instinctively, taking only three steps, easily stopping the ball.

This kid's through ball?

The feeling of stopping it is so comfortable!

Pa!

The football left his left foot.

Rolling into the goal.

The small players of the B team ran to Li Kang one after another, slapping hands and hugging.

Coach Toppmöller was shocked:

"Letting this kid play in the youth team is like turning on cheat codes in a game!"