On January 19, 1998, the twenty-sixth round of the English League One began.
Sunderland faces Manchester City away from home.
Manchester City is very weak and currently ranked in the third to last round of English League One.
However, Sunderland failed to break down Manchester City's defense. They didn't get any good chances throughout the game. The whole team was confused, and Su Yun made adjustments in the midfield but couldn't do much. In the end, they were defeated.
The weak Manchester City team was tied 0-0.
Speaking of which, a draw would have no impact on Sunderland.
But Su Yun couldn't think about it.
Sunderland has been going very smoothly in the English League One. They have always been able to perform well against strong English teams such as Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Charlton, and Ipswich. However, they have been defeated by weak teams several times.
The team stumbled.
Not only Manchester City, but also Reading lost points.
Su Yun knew that some points were lost not because of any other reasons. The biggest reason was one, there was something wrong with the players' mentality.
Facing a weak team like Manchester City, the players can't even lift their spirits.
Su Yun has recently even considered whether to use more substitute players when facing a weak team like Manchester City. Although there is a gap in strength, they will never underestimate their opponents. Now Sunderland
Some of the main players have also begun to be cunning. If they feel that they can win some games without exerting too much effort, they have learned to be cunning.
Players can learn this kind of thing instantly.
They don't need anyone to teach them at all.
After playing this game, the next game is the FA Cup. There is still nearly a week left, so after Su Yun finished this game, he immediately prepared to go to Southampton. After all, Fan Zhiyi and Zhang Enhua came to the UK
, it would be really bad not to go and take a look.
…………
Sunderland is a city in northern England, while Southampton is a port in southern England.
But England is not that big.
Southampton is only an hour away from London by train. From Sunderland to Southampton it can be reached in the blink of an eye by plane.
This time Fan Zhiyi and Zhang Enhua came to Southampton for trial training because the national football team trained in England last summer. That's why they were invited this time.
"How about it?"
Su Yun came to the stands of Southampton and watched several people's trial training. In addition to Su Yun, there were also some other people. They all looked like scouts from other teams. They came here this time.
The trials are not just for Chinese players, but also for players from other places.
"It's not very clear. But the people leading the team seem to be very confident. They estimate that Fan Zhiyi and Zhang Enhua should be able to stay this time. It seems that some Premier League clubs have expressed interest in them."
Zheng Yuan told Su Yun what he had seen in the past few days.
Su Yun frowned.
Speaking of which, Fan Zhiyi and Zhang Enhua are very strong. There is no problem playing in some lower-tier teams in the Premier League. If they go to the English League One, they will be even better players. But the problem is that they are Chinese players.
Don't look at what Premier League teams say nicely now.
In fact, they look down on Chinese football. Not only Chinese football, it should be said that they look down on Asian football. Unless Fan Zhiyi and Zhang Enhua are really very strong and can play the main core of the Premier League team.
Otherwise, it would be difficult for Premier League teams to make the decision to introduce them.
"What do Fan Zhiyi and Zhang Enhua mean?"
Su Yun asked Zheng Yuan gently.
"They also have high expectations for this trial. They all hope to come to the Premier League."
Su Yun nodded.
"Keep looking."
After all, Su Yun is not familiar with Fan Zhiyi and Zhang Enhua. All he needs to do is do what he should do. This is a major matter related to their careers, so Su Yun would be better off talking less.
But Fan Zhiyi and Zhang Enhua are indeed outstanding.
In Su Yun's view, the two of them are even better than his current Sunderland defender Lucas Neal. Of course, Lucas Neal is only nineteen years old now and has not yet reached a fully mature age.
.
"Fan Zhiyi, Zhang Enhua, hello."
Zhang Enhua and Su Yun knew each other, but not very well. But for Fan Zhiyi, this was the first time they met face to face.
"Coach Su, hello."
"My fellow villagers burst into tears when I see my fellow villagers. We can be considered fellow villagers in a foreign country."
Su Yun was the oldest, and he was half the host, so it was natural for him to chat with the two of them.
"How about it? Do you have any other arrangements? If not, I will be your host today and treat you to a meal."
…………
"Coach Su?"
After lunch, Su Yun sat in the stands of Southampton again. However, Su Yun will go back soon. After all, he cannot stay in Southampton for a long time. Sunderland will continue to play in a few days.
Contest.
"You know me?"
A stranger greeted Su Yun.
"Of course. You are now the head coach of Sunderland, and you will appear in the Premier League next season. I am a scout for Derby County, you can call me Ian. What, you are also here to inspect the players?"
This Derby County scout is very interesting.
Very familiar.
There are very few British people Su Yun has come into contact with who are so familiar with them.
"No. The two defenders over there are Chinese players. I know them. So I just came to see them."
"Oh, you mean them." Ian pondered for a moment and said: "Speaking of their strength, they are not bad. But after only a few days of inspection, we didn't dare to make a decision at all. You also know that those big clubs are definitely not
People who come here are small clubs like ours."
Su Yun nodded.
Clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle all have their own very complete scouting systems.
If they want a player, they will invite him to their club for a trial.
"Ian, Fan Zhiyi, that's the defender over there. He's pretty good and should be able to play in the Premier League. Your club can give it a try."
Su Yun pointed at Fan Zhiyi.
Of course Su Yun is willing to promote Chinese players to English clubs if possible.
Ian shook his head.
"Coach Su, no. For a small club like ours, any transfer will be carefully considered. The defender may be good, but you should know that the club cannot spend money readily. And he has not played in some important games.
I have proven myself that hundreds of thousands or one million pounds are not small amounts."
After listening to Ian's words, Su Yun smiled helplessly.
Ian has saved face for Su Yun. What it actually means is that English football is biased against Asian players. Unless they are players who have proven themselves in certain aspects, it will be difficult for them to spend money to buy them.
Su Yun sighed.
yes.
Isn't it so easy to go to the Premier League? Even if the strength is sufficient, due to the arrogant prejudice of English football, three points will be deducted.
When will Asian football make the proud British look at it differently?
Fan Zhiyi and Zhang Enhua's trip to the UK seems to be very difficult.
"Zheng Yuan, just stay here. Anyway, I don't have anything to do there." Su Yun left Zheng Yuan behind before leaving. "If the results of this trial training are not satisfactory, you can tell them two. If they are willing, I will
You can introduce them both to League One clubs."
Su Yun didn't say it directly because he was afraid of hurting their self-esteem.
That’s why I finally told Zheng Yuan.
Su Yun trusted Zheng Yuan. Su Yun believed that if he said the same thing, he might offend someone. But if Zheng Yuan said it, he would definitely do so without leaving any trace.
"I know, brother."
Su Yun turned around and left Southampton, but he was thinking in his heart.
pragmatic.
It should be pragmatic. The current European football world looks down on Chinese players. If you want to change this situation, you don't just want to rush into the top leagues. You should start from the easiest place.
For example, the Eredivisie has gradually declined. If the Eredivisie is not enough, you can also consider the English League One.
As long as you play well in these leagues, with your European scouting skills, you will definitely have the opportunity to go to the top leagues.
If their prejudices are changed, it will be much easier for Chinese players to land in Europe in the future.
