SWR: Chapter 535/536

Chapter 535: Are You Ready to Be the Best in the World?

In the eastern suburbs of Lille, France, just south of the University of Lille's Pont de Bois campus, a newly built low-rise apartment complex stood on the north side of Roger Salengro Street.

The neighborhood wasn't particularly large. Two rows of apartment buildings formed two back-to-back "C" shapes, with a straight road running through the middle. Small shops lined both sides of the road, catering to the residents.

At this moment, in front of a real estate agency, a young couple stood studying the rental listings.

"I think we should get a bigger place," the boy suggested, pointing at one of the listings. "It'll be more spacious, so you won't feel bored when you're at home."

He smiled. "If you want, you can even visit the university up north—it's really close."

The girl held his arm affectionately and shook her head. "We should go for something smaller. The rent is expensive."

"Don't worry about the money, Natasha. I just signed a new contract with the club. This rent is nothing," the boy said confidently.

They say money gives a man courage, and that was certainly true for him.

His youthful face radiated self-assurance, as if he could take on the world, especially when he saw the admiration in the girl's eyes.

Four years ago, they had met and fallen in love at first sight.

Back then, the boy had been shy and introverted. Just speaking to a girl for more than a few seconds would make his heart race, let alone holding hands or confessing his feelings.

But somehow, they had mustered the courage to express their love.

Many people don't believe in love at first sight, especially not in long-distance relationships.

And yet, as soon as they got together, the boy was scouted by French club Lille and moved to France to play football, while the girl remained in their hometown to continue her studies.

Long-distance relationships were tough but also sweet.

For four years, they endured the struggle that fate had thrown their way. Now, at last, she had completed her studies, and he had made a name for himself in Ligue 1, winning the league's Best Young Player award and securing a new contract.

He felt the time was right.

Now, he would bring her to his side.

His plan was simple: rent an apartment on Salengro Street and move in with her.

He had dreamed of this day for four years.

"Trust me on this one. I told you, I'll give you the best," the boy insisted stubbornly.

The girl no longer argued. She nodded softly and let him decide.

Just as they were about to step into the real estate agency, the boy's phone rang.

The caller ID: Jean-Michel Van Damme.

…

At a café near Stade Pierre-Mauroy, in the eastern suburbs of Lille, Gao Shen sat with Lucas and Brian Kidd.

He wore sunglasses, making it harder for people to recognize him at first glance.

The other two, lacking his notoriety, didn't need to disguise themselves.

The three had traveled from England to France for one reason—Eden Hazard.

A prodigy.

Anyone who had ever watched Hazard play could see it instantly, his talent was undeniable.

Even at a young age, he had attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Lyon, and Sevilla. At one point, Scottish club Celtic nearly signed him.

Lille had a strong reputation for developing young talent. Before Hazard, they had produced players like Franck Ribéry.

In fact, Gao Shen had always felt that Hazard bore some resemblance to Ribéry.

With Neymar and his father demanding an astronomical signing fee and a long list of conditions, Gao Shen had no choice but to walk away. It wasn't just about personal pride, it was about protecting Manchester City's interests.

He couldn't allow himself to be manipulated into a deal that would set a dangerous precedent.

Now more than ever, he needed to safeguard his reputation and the authority he had worked so hard to build.

So, he gave up on Neymar and turned his attention to Hazard.

The 18-year-old Belgian winger had just won Ligue 1's Best Young Player award. While his talent was widely acknowledged, he wasn't yet a household name.

The biggest reason?

He played for Lille—not Lyon.

Like it or not, a player's platform mattered.

Of course, at just 21 years old, Karim Benzema had already achieved far more than the 18-year-old Hazard.

"This kid is being watched by a lot of clubs," Brian Kidd noted. "But do you really think he can handle the Premier League?"

After all, Hazard was still very young.

Gao Shen smiled. "Don't worry. He'll be fine."

Before Gao Shen's time travel, Hazard had built an excellent physique before joining Real Madrid.

He wasn't the tallest player, but even in the Premier League, he had no trouble holding his own against defenders in physical duels.

But after moving to Madrid, injuries started piling up, eventually taking a toll on his performances.

Gao Shen believed the reasons behind Hazard's decline were complex.

For one, playing for a club like Real Madrid came with immense pressure, the kind that most people couldn't even imagine. Many players simply couldn't handle it.

Spanish midfielder Asier Illarramendi had once admitted that playing for Real Madrid had nearly broken him.

Under relentless scrutiny, players became more susceptible to injuries. The more they tried to prove themselves, the more likely they were to overexert and make mistakes—trapping them in a vicious cycle.

There was also a tactical element at play, but that was a discussion for another time.

As Gao Shen had said before, the Premier League emphasized upper-body physical battles, while La Liga referees were stricter on physical contact, leading defenders to focus more on dispossessing players with their feet.

Transitioning between the two leagues took time.

And for Hazard, that adaptation period, combined with Real Madrid's chaotic environment and the crushing expectations placed on him, had led to his downfall.

Gao Shen didn't know if, in this timeline, Hazard would still struggle at Madrid.

But one thing was certain—Hazard was a world-class player.

…

Hazard arrived at the café with his girlfriend, Natasha, looking exhausted.

The moment he received a call from Lille's sporting director, Jean-Michel Van Damme, he rushed over without even finalizing his apartment rental.

As he walked in, he immediately spotted Gao Shen and his two companions.

The young Belgian, still panting from his rush, approached slowly. There was a hint of nervousness in his expression, his steps slightly hesitant.

Gao Shen, sitting with his back to the entrance, hadn't seen him enter. But Brian Kidd and Lucas, seated opposite him, noticed and gave him a heads-up. Gao Shen turned around and stood up.

"Nice to meet you, Eden. I'm Gao Shen," he said, removing his sunglasses and extending his hand with a smile.

"Hello… Hello, Mr. Gao, nice to meet you," Hazard stammered, clearly nervous, his breathing still uneven.

His reaction pleased Gao Shen, satisfying his vanity, Hazard was nervous upon meeting him!

Brian Kidd and Lucas exchanged amused glances. They often found it hard to understand Gao Shen's way of thinking. His actions sometimes seemed strange, but perhaps that was the key to his success.

After all, extraordinary people did extraordinary things and that was how they achieved what others couldn't.

Hazard quickly composed himself and introduced his girlfriend, Natasha, to Gao Shen and the others.

He then admitted that he was a die-hard Zidane fan and had been following Gao Shen's coaching career in recent years.

"Whether at Real Madrid or Napoli, your achievements have been incredible," Hazard said sincerely.

Though it was their first meeting, Gao Shen could tell that Hazard wasn't particularly talkative.

He didn't say much, but his genuine admiration was evident.

Gao Shen got straight to the point.

He told Hazard that he had watched his matches and video highlights from Ligue 1 and expressed his deep appreciation for his talent and ability.

The fact that Gao Shen was able to contact him directly indicated that Lille had already given permission for Manchester City to approach him. The French club's asking price for the Belgian winger was around €15 million—a negligible sum for Manchester City.

Sometimes, Gao Shen couldn't help but feel amazed at how money changed everything.

Back when he was coaching Napoli, he had to haggle over hundreds of thousands or a couple of million euros. But now, at Manchester City, €10 or €20 million barely mattered.

Of course, Brian Kidd was responsible for handling negotiations with Lille. Gao Shen didn't involve himself in the specifics of transfers—his only job was identifying the right players. Once he made his selections, Gary Cook and the club's management would take over discussions and finalize deals.

Gao Shen had built a reputation for developing young talent.

During his time at Napoli, he mentored some of the most exciting young prospects in European football, with an average squad age of just around 20 years old.

Sánchez started playing under Gao Shen at 18 and was now a world-class winger.

Di María, another world-class winger, had also grown under his guidance.

For young players like Hazard, Gao Shen was a living legend, more fascinating and influential than even Arsène Wenger.

Over the past three years, the media and internet had spread countless stories about Gao Shen's work with young players at Napoli, making him a topic of discussion among fans, journalists, and players alike.

Now, sitting across from him in person, Hazard couldn't help but feel thrilled.

"Mr. Gao, I'm really honored that you're interested in me, but I should mention that my parents and agent are involved in any transfer decisions," Hazard said politely.

"I understand," Gao Shen nodded with a smile. "But I didn't come here today to talk about your transfer."

"Not about a transfer?" Hazard was surprised.

Did he misread the situation?

"Eden, I came here today for one reason, I want to ask you a question." Gao Shen's eyes locked onto Hazard's, a smile playing on his lips.

"Go ahead," Hazard said humbly.

"Ever since you first started making a name for yourself, I'm sure you've dreamed of becoming the best player in the world, right?"

Hazard nodded.

Even if he hadn't thought about it before, after being scouted by Arsenal, Chelsea, and other top clubs, the ambition must have crossed his mind.

"You know, there are many players in this world with incredible talent but not all of them become the best."

"Talent only gives you a higher starting point than others. If you truly want to be the best, you'll have to push yourself further, make greater sacrifices, and endure hardships that most people can't even imagine."

Gao Shen's tone grew serious.

"I need to know, are you ready?"

He stared at Hazard, waiting for his answer.

T/N: My Goat, wish you never left 🤧.

Chapter 536: This Is the Power of Gao Shen

"Why did you suddenly change your approach?"

As they left the café, Brian Kidd couldn't help but voice his confusion about Gao Shen's meeting with Hazard.

He had kept quiet while Hazard and his girlfriend were present, but now that they were alone, he needed answers.

This was his way of understanding the man he would be working under for the next few years.

Gao Shen smiled casually.

They were all new colleagues. Just as Brian Kidd was observing and trying to understand him, he was doing the same in return.

No one could truly know someone at first glance. It took time, constant adjustments, and familiarity built through work and daily interactions. Only then could a real sense of trust and cooperation develop.

This applied not just to Brian Kidd, but to Gao Shen and his entire coaching staff.

According to their original plan, today's meeting was supposed to focus on convincing Hazard to join Manchester City. They would gauge his interest in moving to the Premier League and outline the club's vision for him.

This was how most teams recruited players.

After all, how could a player make such a career-defining decision without understanding the club's plans or the manager's intentions?

Even ordinary people think twice before changing jobs, for a footballer, a transfer was an even bigger decision.

But Gao Shen had completely changed the script.

He didn't ask Hazard anything about joining City. He didn't introduce the club's plans. Instead, he asked him one simple question and then subtly guided the conversation in an entirely different direction.

Brian Kidd was puzzled.

"In reality, we've already done extensive research on the player," Gao Shen explained. "Between our scouts and Lucas' analysis, we already know what kind of person Hazard is, what his personality is like, and whether he fits our requirements. Especially after meeting him in person."

Rumors could be unreliable, but face-to-face interactions rarely lied.

For instance, it was now clear that Hazard was naturally shy and reserved.

It was also obvious that he was deeply attached to his girlfriend.

"Fernando, what do you think?" Gao Shen turned to Lucas.

Lucas glanced at Brian Kidd, smiled knowingly, and then spoke without hesitation.

"His girlfriend just arrived in Lille, and their relationship is strong and stable."

"How do you know that?" Brian Kidd asked in surprise. He looked from Lucas to Gao Shen, who nodded approvingly. Kidd felt like he was missing something.

He had been there for the entire conversation, so how did they pick up on something he hadn't?

"Brian, do you remember when he mentioned he had just rushed over from a real estate agency?"

Brian Kidd frowned. It had seemed like an offhand comment at the time, nothing worth noting.

After all, he had been focused on one thing: getting a verbal commitment from Hazard. He hadn't paid attention to anything else.

"And what's strange about that?" Kidd asked.

"Nothing on its own," Lucas replied. "But it tells us that Hazard is looking to rent or buy a place. Lille's salaries aren't particularly high, so he's probably renting. Hazard is only 18. Lille provides dormitories for young players, yet he chose to move out."

"Then, during the conversation, Gao Shen casually asked if Natasha was still studying. She said she had just graduated."

Lucas smirked. "That gives us all the information we need. Natasha has just graduated and moved to Lille to be with him. Hazard, who previously lived in Lille's player dorms, is now renting a place for the two of them."

"Hazard was the Best Young Player in Ligue 1 last season. He's talented and famous in Lille, there's no shortage of women interested in him. And yet, he's stayed completely loyal to his long-distance girlfriend."

"This tells us that their relationship is exceptionally strong and stable and they might even be considering marriage."

Professional footballers had vastly different approaches to marriage. Some married and had kids as early as 19 or 20, while others stayed single into their 30s or 40s.

There were various reasons for this, making it difficult to generalize.

If Hazard chose to get married early, it wouldn't be surprising at all.

Gao Shen even recalled that, in his previous timeline, Hazard had married around 2010.

After listening to Lucas' analysis, Brian Kidd was genuinely impressed.

This was what elite analysts were capable of.

From just a casual chat from one or two seemingly minor details they had pieced together a complete picture of Hazard's personal life.

This wasn't easy.

"But even if their relationship is strong, how does that relate to your change of approach?" Kidd still didn't understand.

Gao Shen didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked:

"What kind of person do you think Hazard is?"

"He's friendly, shy, and introverted," Kidd replied. "Not very talkative, but easygoing."

"Now think about it. If someone with that personality moves in with the love of his life after years of long-distance struggles, what do you think will happen to his career?"

Brian Kidd was stunned.

He hadn't even considered this.

There's a saying: Pressure creates motivation.

A happy and fulfilling life was a wonderful thing but it could also be dangerous.

If someone lacked career ambition, a happy and comfortable personal life could drain their hunger.

For those without a strong drive, once their life became stable and satisfying, they lost their edge.

And Hazard fit that exact profile.

"Right now, if we push forward with negotiations, I can guarantee that Hazard will join Manchester City," Gao Shen said confidently. "But that's not what I want."

"I don't just want him to sign. I want him to arrive at City with hunger and motivation."

"Motivation?" Kidd echoed, still trying to grasp the full picture.

Since when did managers care about their players' life goals?

Usually, clubs signed players based on ability. If they performed well, great. If not, they were replaced.

"Wait… but you didn't say anything to him about this?" Kidd asked, still confused.

Gao Shen smiled, shaking his head without saying a word.

"Brian, I'm guessing you've never been in love," Lucas teased.

"What?! Who hasn't been in love?" Kidd shot back immediately, offended.

Was this an insult?

Back in his playing days, he had been tall, wealthy, and handsome of course, he had been in relationships!

If all the women who had pursued him lined up, the queue would probably stretch from Manchester to Liverpool.

"Who hasn't been in love?" he repeated indignantly.

"Alright, alright," Lucas chuckled. "Then think back. When you were around 20 years old, full of energy, what was the most irresistible temptation?"

Money? Fame?

Don't be ridiculous.

Young men that age rarely cared about those things.

They thought of money as dirt and paid no attention to power.

Then what was their greatest temptation?

What's truly irresistible is standing in the spotlight, basking in the admiration of the woman you love, seeing the way her eyes shine with undeniable adoration, almost like hero worship.

In that moment, every man feels like Superman in a suit and tie, ready to save the world at any time. The confidence soars, the heart races, and the feeling is intoxicating.

Brian Kidd was already sixty. He had long forgotten what it felt like to be young. After all, the world he grew up in was completely different from today's.

But deep down, he knew Gao Shen and Lucas were right.

No matter the era, no matter the background, young men are all the same.

Brian Kidd wasn't foolish. In fact, the reason he had lasted so long in football was precisely because he was smart—he knew how to read situations and adapt quickly.

Thinking back to the affectionate interactions between Hazard and his girlfriend, remembering the adoring way the girl looked at him, and then considering Hazard's personality and experiences—it all clicked.

Gao Shen had subtly planted three ideas in Hazard's mind.

First, he told him, "You have the talent to be the best player in the world."

That wasn't just a compliment, it was a challenge. It set a clear expectation.

If Hazard wanted to live up to his God-given talent, he had no choice but to aim for the top.

Then, Gao Shen said, "To be the best, you have to work harder than anyone else."

This wasn't just encouragement, it was a reality check. It told Hazard that talent alone wasn't enough. He had to sacrifice, to suffer, to push beyond his limits.

Finally, he asked, "Are you ready?"

This wasn't just motivation, it was provocation.

And the most important part?

He said all of this in front of Hazard's girlfriend.

Which girl wouldn't want her boyfriend to be a legendary hero, admired by millions?

Was it enough to be just a hero in Lille?

Hazard had the potential to be idolized by fans all over the world, to shine on a stage far bigger than this one.

Even if Natasha didn't say it out loud, Hazard could feel it.

And when a man sees that kind of gaze from the woman he loves, he simply can't resist it.

Under these circumstances, Hazard wouldn't just agree to join Manchester City, he would arrive with a burning desire to prove himself.

No matter how intense the training was, no matter how grueling the matches, he would grit his teeth and push through.

Because that was the price he needed to pay to become a legend.

At that moment, Brian Kidd's view of Gao Shen completely changed.

This was true power.

Every word Gao Shen spoke, every action he took—it all carried meaning. Every move was calculated, every decision deliberate.

Now, Brian Kidd finally understood.

Why were the locker rooms of Gao Shen's teams always so harmonious?

Why did his players always fight for him?

Because Gao Shen was on another level.

But as Kidd stared at him in awe, Gao Shen felt genuinely uncomfortable.

Damn it!

Why was a sixty-year-old man looking at him like that?

Who wouldn't be creeped out?

However, Gao Shen truly believed that Hazard's personality, while great for an ordinary person, wasn't enough for a top-level footballer.

Of course, different managers influenced players in different ways.

If Ronaldo had worked with Wenger instead of Ferguson, his career would have been completely different.

That was exactly why Gao Shen wanted to push Hazard to his limits.

Not just today but for as long as they worked together.

…

After leaving Lille, Gao Shen and his team headed north.

It was time to see just how powerful money could be.