However, very soon, someone came over and called the shepherd boy away.
When he pushed open the door to the club’s reception room, he found that the Italian visitor extended his right hand towards him: “I am He Tianqi, your future assistant coach.
Welcome to Palermo…
Luka Modric!”
The shepherd boy Modric was in disbelief: “Me?
Why?
My performance just now wasn’t good.”
The staff member from Dinamo Zagreb wanted to sew Modric’s mouth shut.
Stop talking!
We absolutely cannot let this 400,000 euro deal fall through!
He Tianqi nodded: “It was unexpectedly terrible, but since I’m already here, it would be hard to explain to the boss if I don’t take someone back.”
Modric’s face darkened, and he shook his head: “If that’s the case, I don’t want to join Palermo.
I hope to go to a club that will allow me to showcase my abilities.”
“That’s not up to you!” The staff member couldn’t wait to hand the contract to He Tianqi.
He Tianqi was very satisfied with this price.
He originally thought he would have to spend one million euros, but the other party actually lowered the price on their own initiative.
Beautiful!
He Tianqi put away the contract, turned to look at Modric, and smiled slightly: “I appreciate your attitude!
I was just joking with you just now.”
“You have many shortcomings, but those can be compensated for.”
“You also have many strengths, and those are precious.”
“You will become a world-class midfield star in Palermo.”
The staff member from Dinamo Zagreb thought He Tianqi was just making empty promises.
Modric also felt this was ridiculous: “Me?
A world-class star?
Stop lying to me, I just want to play football properly, the kind where I can earn money.”
He Tianqi laughed.
The price had been negotiated down, the contract was signed, it was time to speak the truth: “You won’t lack money, trust me.
I think you can be a bit bolder!
A Ballon d’Or winning midfielder, do you dare to dream about it?”
Pfft!
Hahaha!
The entire room erupted in fierce laughter.
The staff member from Dinamo Zagreb laughed so hard tears almost came out.
They were professionally trained and generally wouldn’t laugh, unless they couldn’t hold it in.
Did this He really treat Croatia like Brazil?
Thinking he could just pick anyone up and develop them into a superstar?
Let me tell you, playing in Serie C is this kid’s ceiling.
Once you guys get promoted to Serie B, you’ll probably want to throw him away!
Amidst bursts of mocking laughter, He Tianqi led a red-faced Modric out of the office building.
As they walked, He Tianqi spoke with grand gestures: “In the future, a bronze statue of you will be erected here.”
“Over there, and over there, the entire training ground will be renamed the Luka Youth Academy.”
“And Dinamo Zagreb’s home stadium will be called the Modric Stadium by the people!”
“You will lead Croatia to their best-ever record in the World Cup, you will…”
“Does it feel ridiculous?”
“I also think it’s ridiculous, but this is what you are capable of achieving.”
“As long as you are willing to follow me out of here, towards Italy, towards the whole world!”
Modric’s eyes reddened, and he nodded, fighting back tears.
He wasn’t stupid; he knew these things were impossible to achieve.
But he felt the goodwill of this man in front of him, who was barely a few years older than himself.
In order to protect his pride, He Tianqi was willing to be treated like a fool by the Dinamo Zagreb staff!
The future he wove was as false as a bubble, ready to burst at a touch.
But Modric swore he would not pop this beautiful bubble.
He would work hard to keep dreaming this dream.
For himself, and also for He Tianqi!
…
After returning to Sicily, He Tianqi saw the progress of Carmignani’s recruitment in the newspapers.
Champion Coach Carmignani Takes Action, Serie B Youngster Chiellini Transfers to Rosanero Palermo!
A Tiger Falling in the Plains is Bullied by Dogs!
The Loan Target of the Relegated Fourth-Tier Fiorentina, Quagliarella, is Hijacked by Palermo!
Chiellini and Quagliarella, in position!
Not only that, Carmignani also brought He Tianqi a surprise.
Because Italy and France are very close, Old Carmi, after dealing with the matters at hand, conveniently went to Alès, France, and completed a transaction with the French third-tier club Olympique d’Alès for the player Franck Ribéry.
Alès was on the verge of bankruptcy and desperately needed to raise funds.
They sold this somewhat capable but troublesome player for 200,000 euros.
And Ribéry, hearing that his salary would be doubled, gladly agreed to head to Italy.
Just like that, the transfer list He Tianqi proposed was fully implemented.
Carmignani himself didn’t even know what a series of transactions he had completed with He Tianqi this summer!
He Tianqi also felt Old Carmi’s respect and cultivation towards him.
So he decided that in the days to come, he would remind Old Carmi to take his medicine on time, and not screw over this “talent scout.”
After helping Old Carmi secure beautiful results, he would go try his luck elsewhere.
He would definitely go and realize his dreams.
But he would absolutely never throw away his character.
This was his life creed.
In interviews regarding the team’s transfers, He Tianqi even highly praised Carmignani, saying: “The gears of history have been turned this summer by a wise man named Carmignani.”
“From now on, the sky of Italian football has an extra touch of pink!”
But the outside world had a different view of Palermo’s transfer operations this summer.
From Assistant Coach He Tianqi to Boy Scout Modric, Palermo Attempts to Start a Youth Storm Without a Future!
A Group of Children Cannot Become the Beautiful Legend of Sicily!
He Tianqi is Not Palermo’s Monica Bellucci Either!
Poor Signings!
Carmignani is Getting Old and Blind, Mistakenly Trusting He Tianqi Ruins the Transfer Window!
Rosanero Fans Dissatisfied with the Team’s Summer Operations, Palermo Urgently Signs Instant Impact Player Arturo Napoli!
Negative reviews!
Negative reviews!
All negative reviews!
Even the team owner, Zamparini, frequently inquired about the player recruitment issue.
If it weren’t for the fact that he was primarily focused on changing the management this summer, he wouldn’t have given Carmignani and He Tianqi so much operational space.
As the new season began, the public’s opinion was becoming reality.
Although Carmignani fully respected He Tianqi’s opinions, he still had his own tactical understanding.
He utilized capable newcomers like Vidic and Ribéry.
He gave rotation opportunities to Chiellini and Quagliarella.
But he truly couldn’t use abstract players like Modric and Ashley Young.
The former simply couldn’t hold onto the ball; a single reckless pass would terrify his own teammates.
The latter was incapable of shooting, dribbling, or passing; putting him on the field was equivalent to the team playing with one man down.
Additionally, Carmignani was reluctant to abandon his three-center-back system, or rather, at this stage, the three-center-back system was still the mainstream in Italy.
But the team’s players weren’t entirely suited for the three-center-back playstyle.
Therefore, Palermo’s performance did not meet public expectations.
(END CHAPTER)