Shortly after the 17th round of games, Bundesliga officials also began to make selections for various awards during the half-season.
Bayern Munich head coach Jupp Heynckes deservedly won the title of the best coach of the half-season.
Pan Yi from Hamburg ranked second in the selection.
This is a fair position. After all, although Pan Yi led Hamburg to the best record in recent years, there is still a gap between Bayern and Bayern, which has a dominant performance.
But in the selection of the best player, Bayern players failed to win.
The half-season MVP is Kiesling from Leverkusen!
This fringe international player of the German national team has performed brilliantly this season.
He scored 14 goals in 17 rounds, ranking first in the scorer list, and also led Leverkusen, who was in poor form at the beginning of the season, back to the top three.
Ranking second on the scorer list is Lewandowski, who scored 12 goals. His stable performance is also Dortmund's scoring guarantee.
The third place is Frankfurt's forward Meier. He has suddenly emerged this season and has scored 10 goals.
The newly promoted team Eintracht Frankfurt has been able to remain in the top six in the standings, and Meyer's goal is indispensable.
Since Bayern's lineup is relatively balanced this season and their performance in all positions is good, they suffered a loss in such a best selection.
Bayern's ranking in the scorer list also confirms this, none of them can even score more than 10 goals!
Mandzukic scored 8 goals, Thomas Muller scored 7 goals, and Gomez also scored 6 goals.
Robben, who has been troubled by injuries, only scored 3 goals.
Hamburg's situation is somewhat similar to Bayern in this regard, they are also full of attack points!
Vardy is the team's top scorer with 9 goals and is also fourth on the total scorer list.
Son Heung-min scored 8 goals and was the second scorer in the team, while the third place was Wu Lei, who scored 4 goals.
But in the assists list, it is the Hamburg players who top the list.
It’s Hamburg’s midfielder De Bruyne!
He sent out 9 assists, which can be said to be Hamburg and the top cake maker in the Bundesliga!
From Pan Yi's perspective, De Bruyne's performance was nothing special and was in line with his expectations.
You know, in Pan Yi's previous life, De Bruyne was also so fierce in the Bundesliga!
During his time at Wolfsburg, De Bruyne also easily won the title of Bundesliga assists leader, and he was leading the way.
He ranked first with 17 assists, while he ranked second with only 8...
At the same time, De Bruyne's superb performance also almost helped Wolfsburg's mediocre Dutch striker Dost to become the top scorer in the Bundesliga!
In the end, he was only 1 goal behind the real striker Lewandowski and won the silver boot.
So, when De Bruyne was poached by Manchester City, Sterling, the happy boy in the team, couldn't win a Premier League golden boot or anything like that. It was really a waste of money.
And after selling Sterling and bringing in Haaland, the smile on Mr. Ding’s face when he fed Habao cakes obviously became more...
anyway.
People in Pan Yi's previous life certainly wouldn't find it strange that De Bruyne won the assists title or something, but it's different now.
This is De Bruyne's first Bundesliga season, and now he has such a brilliant performance that he can overtake Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, Thomas Muller and others to rank first in the assists list. Of course he will
Spark everyone's discussion.
What the media and fans are talking about even more is, of course, the process of Pan Yi buying De Bruyne against all the odds at the beginning of the season.
You must know that at that time, Hamburg's senior management strongly advocated buying the Dutch star Van der Vaart as the core midfielder.
But Pan Yi resolutely rejected this proposal and spent a high price of 12 million euros to buy De Bruyne, who could not play football at Chelsea.
At the time, this move was viewed as a very risky move by the outside world.
From a competitive perspective, Van der Vaart is a world-class star and a former Hamburg player. He has proven his strength in any period, and there is no need to doubt it.
At the time, it seemed that De Bruyne was unable to gain a foothold in the Premier League and could only be trained on loan in a secondary league like Belgium, with doubts about his ability.
From an economic point of view, after all, a player like Vardy only costs 1 million. A loss is a loss, at least it will not cause too huge a loss.
But the 12 million spent to buy De Bruyne is a huge expense even in the entire Bundesliga.
If it fails, it will be a heavy blow to Hamburg.
And obviously, Pan Yi's "bet" was right again.
De Bruyne seems to be growing into a midfield master in the Bundesliga, and both his on-field dispatch and data performance prove this.
After half a season of playing in the Bundesliga, his valuation on the "German Transfer Market" website has soared from 8 million euros at the beginning of the season to 25 million euros.
In other words, even if Hamburg sells its penis now, it can still make more than 100% economic gain!
Of course, it's not just De Bruyne whose value is rising.
Vardy was originally priced at 1 million, but now he can’t get it for more than 10 million?
If we look at the return on investment, the striker Pan Yi bought from the lower leagues in England has made a lot of money.
There are also Sun Xingmin, Wu Lei, Casemiro, Carvajal...
Their outstanding performance has also attracted the attention of many clubs.
When everyone was exclaiming about Pan Yi's "really accurate judgment of people", many clubs had already begun to make inquiries to Hamburg, hoping to take away several of their players in the winter window.
But for now, these inquiries are meaningless.
Pan Yi will not sell De Bruyne, nor anyone in the current squad.
He is not a fool!
His goal is to lead Hamburg in the Bundesliga and even make a difference in the Champions League in the future. How can he possibly sell these young players who are still on the rise?
On the contrary, Pan Yi is also preparing to make some moves in the winter transfer window.
In the analysis and summary meeting after the half-game, assistant coaches like Inzaghi and Nagelsmann also raised some of the problems currently existing in Hamburg.
Mainly in the backcourt, the hardness and thickness of the midfielder are lacking, and the position of left back is still far behind the average level of other positions.
Therefore, everyone suggested that the team should strengthen these two positions during the winter window, at least introducing a high-level left back.
However, although the coaches can all see the problem, they have no specific suggestions for candidates.
The reason is simple. For a high-level left back, his price must not be low.
Although Chairman Yakhov agreed to Pan Yi's request for additional transfer funds in the winter window, he could only spend 5 million euros - in fact, this is also the 1 million saved in the summer window plus the savings in this half season.
composed of salary.
The chairman’s family has no food left!
What level of left back can 5 million euros buy?
If compared with the current main force Carvajal on the other side, his valuation in Germany has reached 15 million...
Using this as a reference that is not very accurate, if we want to achieve a balance between the left and right sides, the new guard must reach a value level of 10 million to 15 million.
And now Hamburg’s midfielder position also needs to be supplemented, which means that the two of them can only spend 5 million together!
This is really a bit difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice.
Of course, this question is difficult for everyone, but for Pan Yi...
Well, the mountain man has a clever plan!
…
A few days after Christmas, Pan Yi was planning to go to England.
He wants to see the game, and of course more importantly, he wants to see the people.
What, you ask, isn’t the Bundesliga on holiday? Why are there still games in the UK?
Just kidding, whether it is England or Scotland, their so-called Christmas vacation is to arrange a game before and after Christmas.
For example, this year's Premier League will play the 18th round on December 22 and the 19th round on December 26, perfectly avoiding the day of December 24, allowing players and coaches to have a comfortable Christmas.
.
But this time Pan Yi's destination was not England, but Scotland.
When he was preparing to take the car to the airport, he was stopped by a voice: "Hello, are you coach Pan Yi?"
"Who are you?..." Pan Yi turned around and looked, but he didn't recognize him.
Standing in front of him was a middle-aged man in a suit. He took the initiative to extend his hand and introduced himself: "My name is Horst Heldt, and I am the football director of Schalke 04."
Director of Schalke 04? Why did you suddenly come to see me?
Pan Yi was a little confused, but he still shook hands with the other party politely: "Is something wrong?"
"It's true that something happened." Haiert said with a smile, "Should we find a place to chat? Standing on the roadside is a bit..."
"Just tell me if you have anything to say." Pan Yi raised the ticket in his hand, "I also want to go to Scotland."
He probably guessed the other party's intention.
It's nothing more than asking him to become the head coach of Schalke 04 and lead the team in the second half of the season.
Their head coach Stevens has just been dismissed, and the team is in a "vacation period" and is in urgent need of a leader.
To be honest, if Schalke 04 found Pan Yi before this season, he might be tempted.
After all, this traditional Bundesliga team has a more complete lineup, the club's financial situation is better, and its theoretical upper limit is higher.
But now Pan Yi has laid the foundation in Hamburg, and his current starting point is higher than Schalke 04, which has lost consecutive games.
Therefore, of course, Pan Yi didn't want to have any more in-depth discussions with Haiert, who was in a hurry to get on the plane!
"Ah, let's go to Scotland. Are we going on vacation or are we going to observe new players?" Haiert said with a smile, "It seems that coach Pan Yi has a new goal..."
Seeing that Pan Yi didn't seem to be prepared to answer this question, Haiert coughed lightly and said again:
"Okay, let me be blunt. We have felt that you are a rare talented coach since you were in Milan. And this season, you have proved yourself in Hamburg."
"Geniuses should join a better team. I think you should consider our Schalke 04, which can allow you to achieve a more ambitious return."
"Not to mention anything else, in terms of transfer funds, we can even allow you to spend enough money in the winter window to buy the players you like..."
Pan Yi interrupted Haiert's words at this time and asked directly:
"You mean, I can also have the rights in Hamburg and directly participate in player transfer negotiations?"
"Well, the two of us can discuss this." Haiert seemed to have been prepared for Pan Yi's question. "Actually, you are still in charge. What you say will be what it is. I will not interfere."
Pan Yi nodded slightly.
This kind of treatment is somewhere between Hamburg and other teams.
This also shows that Pan Yi's right to speak in team management is gradually becoming known to more teams.
Therefore, any team that is interested in looking for Pan Yi to coach will consider this aspect in advance.
This can be regarded as a kind of performance of "building a reputation", and Pan Yi has more initiative in selecting the team.
But Pan Yi also understood that it would be okay if everything went smoothly, but if there were any irreconcilable differences between him and the director, in the end it would be the higher official who would kill him, and he would eventually have to make concessions.
So it's still a bit poor and not very interesting.
Of course, Pan Yi was not prepared to change teams in the first place. His consistent principle is to start well and end well.
He hasn't really made a name for himself in Hamburg yet. Even if Schalke 04 does offer the same conditions as Hamburg or even higher, he won't consider it.
In addition, although the director of Schalke 04 was very polite in his words, there was still a hint of superiority, which made Pan Yi feel a little uncomfortable.
"I am very grateful to your team for favoring me, but I will not leave Hamburg for the time being." Pan Yi declined politely, and then prepared to say goodbye and leave.
But Haiert didn't give up: "Whatever conditions you need, we can still talk about it!"
Pan Yi shook his head and took out his mobile phone.
If this is the case, then he will use a trick.
Pan Yi clicked a few times and turned to the latest Bundesliga standings.
"You just said that Schalke 04 is the better team. But look, who is ranked higher now?"
"This..." Haiert faltered.
"Hamburg is 10 points higher than you." Pan Yi continued to output, "If you are talking about history, then Hamburg, like you, has won several Bundesliga championships and even the Champions League! Did Schalke 04 win it?
How many Champions Leagues?”
"..." Haiert was speechless.
"So, you are not better than Hamburg." Pan Yi spread his hands, "Then, why should I leave the familiar Hamburg, leave my familiar players and coaches, and go to a strange place to coach an unfamiliar team?
Woolen cloth?"
Pan Yi glanced at Haiert and finally said: "What's more, in this unfamiliar team, there is still a director who may hinder me."
Geert was speechless.
This boy from the Dragon Kingdom, despite being very young, talks in such a monotonous manner.
What's even more disgusting is that he seems to have no way to refute a word.
His original plan was indeed to "cheat" Pan Yi into the team first, and then slowly study the distribution of powers.
After all, Heldt is the director. If the head coach does all the work, then why does the club need him?
From this point of view, there is really no way for a head coach like Pan Yi to coexist with the director of any team...
In desperation, Haiert could only watch Pan Yi leave.
Pan Yi also successfully boarded the plane to the UK.
However, what Pan Yi doesn't know is that in addition to attracting the attention of more clubs, his performance in the Bundesliga during this half-season has also attracted the attention of another group.
That's it - paparazzi!
The next day, a photo showing Pan Yi and Geert shaking hands was circulated in various tabloids and websites:
"Schalke 04 director secretly contacted Pan Yi"
"Pan Yi is leaving Hamburg soon?"
"Surprise! Schalke 04 fired Stevens because of him..."
There are even some even more outrageous news:
"Invited by many Premier League teams, Pan Yi has gone to the UK"
"Who will Pan Yi end up with? Exclusive analysis of who is more likely, Sunderland or Southampton"
"Pan Yi went to London to hold talks with the senior management of Queens Park Rangers, who were trapped in the relegation zone"
…
December 29th.
In the 17th round of the Scottish Second Division, Queen's Park hosted Rangers.
The name of Scotland's league system is similar to that of England.
The first level is Su Chao, then Su Guan, Su A, Su B...
(Note: Just like the English League One became the English Championship, a similar thing happened in Scotland. To avoid confusion, this article will refer to the order of the Premier League League One and League Two.)
In other words, this so-called Scottish Second Division is actually the fourth level league!
This Queen's Park team in Glasgow has nothing to do with the "Queens Park Rangers" in England.
It is even an amateur team, and the club's motto is "Playing for the sake of playing football."
However, it is the oldest football club in Scotland and has been invited to participate in the FA Cup in England.
Since its establishment in 1867, Queen's Park has won 10 Scottish FA Cup championships and 2 English FA Cup runners-up. It is very rare for these two honors to appear on the same team at the same time.
For Pan Yi, the most famous players on this team are the two players who have played for it.
One is Alex Ferguson.
Yes, it was Sir Alex Ferguson who created the Red Devils dynasty at Manchester United.
He played for Queen's Park as early as 1958 and scored the first goal of his football career in the game.
And the other one is called Andrew Robertson.
The future captain of the Scottish national team and the absolute main force at Liverpool's left back is still an 18-year-old young man.
He has just played in the first team for Queen's Park this season and has already scored goals.
The purpose of Pan Yi's trip is of course for Robertson!
Even though this little guy is still playing in the fourth tier of the Scottish League, he has firmly established himself as the team's main force at a young age and will soon be spotted by other teams.
In Pan Yi's previous life, after this season, Robertson would jump three levels in a row and transfer directly to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.
After continuing his outstanding performance, just one year later, he was bought by Hull City of the Premier League, and was eventually taken over by Liverpool for 10 million pounds, becoming the favorite player of Uncle Klopp.
The rest of the story is familiar to everyone. Liverpool's Premier League title and Champions League title both had the direct contribution of this Scottish left-back.
Therefore, Pan Yi came here today to get ahead of the Scottish Premier League team and take Robertson away half a season earlier!
He is exactly Pan Yizhong's ideal example of a full-back in modern football!
He can participate in the attack or drop back to defend.
He can complete crosses, assists and shots, and also has sufficient defensive strength.
In short, it’s just one word: Invincible!
A little later, in a place like Su Chao where the exposure is much higher than that of Su Yi, this guy may be more expensive again...
Of course, for Robertson, who is currently warming up before the game in the field, he has no idea about these little things in Pan Yi's heart.
He just heard from his teammates that a head coach from the Bundesliga will come to watch the game today!
This inevitably made him feel a little restless.
Bundesliga!
Head coach!
Such a person would go to Scotland specifically to watch a low-level game today, and he must be here just for certain players.
And if you can be favored by that man, then your dream of being a professional player can really come true!
Although I heard that the competition in the Bundesliga is very fierce, and although Robertson is only 1.75 meters tall and weighs only over 60 kilograms, which is not the word "strong", the little carrot still has some concerns about his speed, defense and skills.
Confidence.
There was a trace of heat in his eyes.
Now he doesn't know what his future path will be. He only knows that many players who play in such low-level leagues will not be able to get a real professional contract in the end.
In the end, in order to make a living, these players had to leave the green field and find a job as a driver or supermarket cashier to make a living.
Moreover, Robertson's family is not wealthy. The family urgently needs someone to step up and share the pressure of life. His parents no longer have the financial ability to support him in continuing his football dream.
Today, for him, may be an opportunity to change his destiny!
Robertson turned his head and glanced at the stands again.
The black-haired young man from the Dragon Kingdom was sitting there, looking at him with affectionate eyes - I'm sorry to leave the stage.
In this fourth-level Scottish league, there are only a few hundred fans and staff watching the game, so Asian faces like Pan Yi are particularly conspicuous in the stands and can be seen at a glance.
And Robertson had also heard about Pan Yi.
At the age of only 26, he became the assistant coach of AC Milan and the head coach of Hamburg. He promoted and reused many young players and created miracles one after another in the five major leagues.
One of his most talked about labels is that he likes to reuse young players!
Moreover, Pan Yi does not have any standard rules to follow when selecting players, nor does he pay attention to the reputation of the players.
I heard that he only went to England to watch a fifth-level amateur game, so he signed one of the forwards, Vardy, to Hamburg and made him the team's top scorer.
He even ranked fourth in the Bundesliga half-time scorer list!
This is also one of the important reasons why Robertson feels that if he performs well, he may be favored by Pan Yi.
Moreover, when Robertson looked at the stands just now, it seemed that Pan Yi also glanced at him?
It can't be that he came specifically to see me, right? Robertson's heart moved slightly.
But he soon ruled out this impossible option.
"He must have come to watch the Rangers game. After all, this is a well-known team in Europe and there are many good players in it. How can a Dragon Country guy know the players from Queen's Park?" Robertson thought to himself, "But it doesn't matter, I
I must use my outstanding performance to make him notice me!"
Yes, today's opponent at Queen's Park, Rangers, also has a strong background.
It is the well-known Scottish giant, Glasgow Rangers!
They have won 55 Scottish top league championships and 34 Scottish Cup championships, and are the well-deserved hegemons of Scottish football.
Together with Celtic, they have monopolized almost all Scottish championships and performed well in European competitions. They also won a European Cup Winners' Cup, two runners-up in the Cup Winners' Cup and one UEFA Cup runner-up.
But just at the beginning of this season, Rangers encountered a serious financial crisis and was punished, and finally decided to be punished to the fourth tier Scottish League Two after a vote by the Scottish League Chairman.
Although many of the team's stars who originally competed in the Scottish Premier League have left, but the skinny camel is bigger than a horse, Rangers are still a dimensionality reduction in the Scottish Second League, and basically have no opponents.
In fact, at the end of this season, they will be promoted with a huge advantage of 24 points ahead of the second place.
In four years' time, Rangers will return to the stage of the Scottish Premiership, and gradually begin to become Scottish Premiership champions, and enter the Champions League.
This is a story for later.
But at this time Pan Yi happened to appear in the stands of this game, which inevitably makes people think, is this young Bundesliga coach interested in some good prospects in the Rangers?
Therefore, not only Robertson, but all the players participating in this game, especially the players from the Rangers, are gearing up to excel in this seemingly ordinary Scottish League Two!