Chapter 9

Thank you to "Elevation 1.75" for the tip!

Who is looking forward to the Champions League final being a Spanish derby? Will the script from two years ago be replayed? Hahaha.

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During the two days of preparation for the trial, Qin Xiong did not go sightseeing in bustling Amsterdam. He only jogged in the morning, afternoon, and evening around his accommodation and did light exercises in his room, ensuring he had adequate and reasonable rest.

August 27, 2003.

In the morning, Freddy and Qin Xiong arrived at the Ajax youth training base: De Toekomst.

It means: The Academy of the Future.

Since the 1960s, the high-quality output of this Ajax youth academy has created a legend in Ajax's youth training system.

Here, Ajax has three ways to recruit young talent.

First, within a 60-kilometer radius of Amsterdam, they search for local talent.

Second, the annual tryout day, where thousands of children come to showcase their football skills to Ajax, hoping to impress and join this most famous football academy in the Netherlands.

Third, recommendations from Ajax's overseas satellite clubs. Players like Pienaar from South Africa and the under-18 Shabalala, who have crossed oceans to join Ajax, are products of this satellite club system. Qin Xiong's trial opportunity also came from a behind-the-scenes deal between the Tang Group and Ajax's overseas satellite club.

It must be acknowledged that while Ajax does not dig for talent from abroad, which is a distortion of the facts, the youth training director Rijkaard tirelessly claims: "We do not look for children beyond a 60-kilometer radius of Amsterdam. We believe in our culture and do not consider looking for young players abroad."

Undoubtedly, using their own people is a significant characteristic of Ajax's youth training system!

Of course, Qin Xiong is already 18 years old. His admiration for Ajax does not mean he wants to become a true Ajax man!

He is not here to join Ajax's youth training system; he is here for a trial. If successful, his goal is to enter the first team. In other words, he does not expect Ajax to cultivate or reshape him. He needs a stage to showcase himself. He believes he already has strong capabilities, and the 15 years of effort are the foundation of his confidence.

Even though Ajax's youth training system is renowned worldwide, they still need outsiders, i.e., transfers from the market.

For example, the striker Ibrahimovic in the first team was signed by Ajax. Which club missed out on Ibrahimovic? Arsenal.

The youth academy is located next to the Amsterdam Arena. On this sunny and warm day, Qin Xiong and Freddy naturally appreciated the scenery as they entered the training base.

There are seven full-sized pitches here, and the training conditions are visibly outstanding. Just the scenery alone made Qin Xiong feel a surge of excitement.

The youth training director Rijkaard received them in his office. While reviewing the trial recommendation letter Freddy handed him, he scrutinized Qin Xiong with a critical eye.

Qin Xiong keenly sensed from the other's stern expression: He seems a bit unhappy.

Yes, Rijkaard was indeed unhappy.

Ajax does not yet have a satellite club in China, especially in terms of talent introduction channels, and they have not made such an investment.

This is inevitably related to China's football competitiveness or, more specifically, the football talent pool.

So, a Chinese player coming to Ajax for a trial and presenting a recommendation letter from an African satellite club was suspicious to Rijkaard!

However, he did not intend to make things difficult for Qin Xiong and Freddy.

Just as in Africa, unscrupulous agents often "sell" children with dreams of fame to Europe, this kind of thing is not uncommon.

Regardless, since they had come and had a recommendation letter, Rijkaard confirmed Qin Xiong's trial eligibility with the African satellite club.

He thought it might just be a one-day tour for Qin Xiong.

"Can you understand English?"

Although the Netherlands has its own language, the mainstream language in the country is English, even street beggars use it.

Qin Xiong replied, "Sir, I can, and I have no problem with general communication."

Rijkaard nodded and said, "There will be a youth team warm-up match later. I will have you join one of the teams. This will be your trial, so make the most of the opportunity."

Qin Xiong solemnly said, "Sir, I will!"

Rijkaard stood up and led the two out, pointing to a building and saying to Qin Xiong, "There is a changing room over there. Go inside and change into your football kit and shoes. It doesn't matter what you wear; you will be given a training shirt later."

Qin Xiong picked up his shoulder bag and walked toward the building.

Freddy followed Rijkaard to the training ground. On the way, Freddy curiously asked, "Aren't there any other tests? The famous Ajax selection criteria, TIPS—technical skills, insight, personality, and speed. A short training match isn't enough to comprehensively evaluate a player, right?"

Rijkaard did not mind Freddy's straightforwardness and replied candidly, "The new season has already started. This young man did not come on tryout day, and we have not evaluated him before. The criteria you mentioned are just the basics. Perhaps you are not familiar with our system here. I can give you a detailed introduction."

"I would like to hear more."

Freddy smiled.

Through Rijkaard's introduction, Freddy gained a clear understanding of the place.

For a club like Ajax, which has absolute superiority in the Netherlands, selecting and training players is not based on the most basic characteristics, as it is for ordinary clubs.

In this youth training base, known as the future of Ajax, there are over 200 youth players divided into seven groups, with a team for each age from 7 to 19.

Regarding the selection criteria Freddy asked about: TIPS.

This is more relevant for younger players, as the younger they are, the more malleable they are!

For Qin Xiong, who is already 18, evaluating his speed, personality, insight, and technical skills alone is not enough!

In practice, Ajax's youth training system development model is such that teams under 12 years old focus on a 3-4-3 formation, while those 12 and older switch to a 4-3-3 formation.

In other words, TIPS is just the minimum entry standard. Otherwise, with thousands of children trying out each year, it would be impossible for only 200 to remain, especially considering the addition of talent recommended by satellite clubs.

Looking further, the root cause of this situation is the broader context of Dutch football development!

This is the "sword and qi" debate within Dutch football.

Which is more important: tactics or technique?

When Michels led the Netherlands to the title of "un冕ned champions" with total football, the tactical approach of total football became popular worldwide, earning global acclaim.

This also established the tactical supremacy mindset that Dutch football has long adhered to!

So, when it comes to Dutch football, it is about attacking football and the almost unchanging 4-3-3 formation.

In this context, TIPS is just the most basic standard.

Whether it's personality, insight, technique, or speed, all must serve the tactics!

In other words, they must serve the team!

If you violate this principle, no matter how fast you are, how distinctive your personality, how sharp your insight, or how unparalleled your technique, if you are outside the tactical system, then, sorry, you are not the player Ajax wants!

Qin Xiong is already 18, and whether he meets Ajax's selection criteria is not just about TIPS. It requires further observation of his team spirit, and finding a balance, meaning not only serving and fitting into the team but also finding his role and expressing his individuality.

Rijkaard's lack of confidence in Qin Xiong stems from this. In a place like China, there might be some players who are fast, strong, skilled, and have sharp insight, but in the complex environment of an 11-player team, without patient and positive guidance from a young age, he does not believe Chinese players can perform better than Dutch players.

Especially since Qin Xiong is a stranger, an outsider.

The youth team players in today's training match are all very familiar with each other, having trained together every day!

Freddy, however, showed no change in expression. He had confidence in Qin Xiong, especially after understanding the specific focus of Ajax's player evaluation. He had no worries.

To navigate a complex situation, find a position in the team, and break through in an unfamiliar environment—these are precisely what Qin Xiong excels at!