goal goal

Chapter 103
In the league match against Burnley, Guardiola was very dissatisfied with the two defenses playing with fire, even though he had zero blocks.

Once was Otamendi's sudden short-circuit and passed the ball directly to the opponent, a player with a nerve knife, and the other time Stones took the ball and was directly crushed by the opponent's high center forward. He had no confrontation.

These two short circuits, one was resolved by goalkeeper Ederson, and the other was when Fernandinho came back to rescue and destroyed the ball.

But two starting central defenders making low-level mistakes in a game is still terrible.

And most importantly, this is not the first time this season.

"I've said it all. Our current unbeaten record covers up too many problems. The most serious problem is the problem of the defense, especially the two starting central defenders. It's been 9 rounds of the league. Except for the first league game, nothing happened. Mistakes, and the fourth round, there were mistakes in other rounds. If you want to say that there are many low-level mistakes, it doesn’t mean that there can’t be mistakes, but these people make mistakes one after another. Don’t you think there is a problem? The defense is the place where you can’t make mistakes? The whole team can make mistakes everywhere, that is, the defense and the goalkeeper must be stable, and the first is stability.”

When Guardiola had a meeting with the team's coaching staff, he started talking.

Assistant coach Arteta picked up just after Guardiola's voice fell.

"Pep, let me tell you the truth. Otamendi really doesn't have the ability to play for the top giants. I really didn't say, do you think Real Madrid will use him? Do you think Bayern will use him? His hard power lies here , he is not a central defender who can meet the requirements of the giants. What's more, our requirements for central defenders are even higher, and he does not meet this requirement at all. Therefore, I suggest that we really need to buy people in the central defender position as soon as possible. Including that Manga La is not a central defender at the wealthy level, he is really a central defender at the wealthy level, that is, Stones and Kompany, but Kompany is injured and will not come back for a long time, Stones is because he is young and has high potential , That's all, now he is not as good as Otamendi in terms of combat power, but he is better and more stable than Otamendi, although sometimes he makes low-level mistakes, but Otamendi is a nerve knife, real!"

After listening to Arteta's speech, Guardiola understood in his heart, because he thought the same way. He knew that other members of the coaching staff would not speak first, so he asked Arteta, who was a player and is still a very famous player. Speaking, he has been a player, so naturally he dares to say something, compared to these coaches.

Sure enough, after he said that, the coaching staff became very enthusiastic.

Another assistant coach, Ruben, also spoke.

Ruben is also an old man who has been with Guardiola for a long time.

He also has his own understanding of Guardiola's selection criteria.

"The best thing is to buy someone in the winter window. Now our central defender reserve is really serious. The most terrible thing is these two starting central defenders. The main reason is that we haven't met any strong teams. When the Christmas schedule comes, the schedule will be denser. I was worried about whether our two central defenders were able to resist pressure enough at that time, and the most important thing was the Champions League in the second half of the season. If you want to buy someone, I suggest that you first choose someone who can also play in the Champions League."

"Then you have to find it in a non-rich team, isn't it a bit difficult?" a coach said.

Guardiola looked at Ruben with blazing eyes, and he knew that Ruben must have the answer.

"Actually, Southampton's Van Dijk, I think it's pretty good."

"That's the one that got Liverpool warned."

"I know, I've seen many of his games, the rear commander type of player. Speaking of which, our defense really needs such a player who can command. If he is allowed to take it, Stones can also Grow faster. I think it's a good choice." Arteta said bluntly.

The remaining few coaches also agreed with such a candidate. After all, they have been in the Premier League for several years. It is impossible not to have seen such a strong player.

"However, Southampton asked for 8000 million euros. Didn't Liverpool just discuss privately with the players and it was exposed?"

"Liverpool is giving less money."

Guardiola listened for a while, and it was about the same as he expected. He also likes Van Dijk as a central defender, but the problem now is that 8000 million is too much, and there is also the problem of annual salary.

How much to pay? Such a high transfer fee may require a high annual salary, which is not good for the stability of the team.

"The transfer fee is a problem, and there is his annual salary requirement."

"The issue of the transfer fee, Southampton left Van Dijk, they must lack a central defender, we recommend Mangala to see if they are willing to lower some fees appropriately, including that we can also rent players there, the loan fee is free What's the matter, the annual salary, Manchester City and Southampton are not so difficult to choose, the reasonable salary we give must be many times his current salary, I think we can start negotiations."

Ruben said finally.

"Well, let the club talk about it. It's the end of October now, and it's not long before the winter window. I will try my best to keep him from exploding so quickly on our line of defense. Let's see if we can survive that intensive schedule."

Guardiola sums it up.

"Is there anything else to say?"

Guardiola checked his watch.

"Boss, isn't Wang's annual salary a bit lower? With his momentum now so strong, can we discuss renewing his contract before the end of the season?"

"You really, before the end of the season, said so early?"

The coach on the side laughed.

"Ruben is right. Wang Yi has scored too many goals recently, and he has entered our team like a seamless connection. He and De Bruyne, Aguero, David Silva, Heat Suss, almost everyone in the frontcourt is calling, the scoring efficiency is high, and the key is still very young. We must keep such a good player for a long time. The annual salary of 390 million after tax is also regarded as the middle-lower annual salary in our club. Yes, it’s going to increase. It’s best if we take the initiative to talk about it. This will make Wang Yi feel valued. I think it makes sense. Salary negotiations have always been very long. Let’s start preparing first. The second half of the season When the negotiations are officially started, you can't raise too much at once, so there will be no room for salary increases in the future, right?"

Guardiola's last speech also ended this coaching staff meeting.

Although they don't often meet together, Guardiola really feels that this meeting has solved the problem, and he also needs other people's advice. He was optimistic about Van Dijk before, but this time at the meeting, when everyone was optimistic about Van Dijk, his heart It was finally determined.

(End of this chapter)