Gao Shen has always agreed with one saying.

The reason why outstanding people are outstanding is that when they encounter difficulties and adversity like everyone else, others lose confidence and choose to give up, but they can still make up their minds, overcome difficulties, get out of adversity, and achieve their goals.

Failure is the mother of success.

This is very clichéd, yet very true.

Because in this world, success always belongs to the few, and failure belongs to the many.

Any success you see is often built and refined through repeated failures.

…

Gao Shen carefully chose Valdebebas for his meeting with Illarramendi.

It was the morning Illarramendi signed his contract.

The Spanish midfielder was sent directly to Valdebebas by his agent, and Gao Shen was responsible for receiving him.

This flattered Illarramendi.

Gao Shen took it as a matter of course and took him around Real Madrid's training base, introducing him to every department, every colleague, and every area.

This was originally the job of captain Iker Casillas or vice-captain Ramos. Both came, but Gao Shen took the initiative because he wanted to use this opportunity to have a good chat with Illarramendi.

After a stroll, they returned to Gao Shen's head coach's office.

After closing the door, Illarramendi became a bit restrained. He sat upright and looked very nervous.

"Don't be nervous. You can speak freely with me. It's fine to complain or even criticize me. No third person will know," Gao Shen said with a smile.

"Yeah, I saw that in the newspaper."

"Really?" Gao Shen was not surprised.

He had found that many media outlets now liked to magnify his small and subtle habits.

"They all say this is one of your secrets."

Gao Shen chuckled and set a glass of water in front of Illarramendi.

The Spanish midfielder was so nervous that he wanted to stand up and reach out to take it, but Gao Shen gestured for him to sit.

Still too nervous.

"You can't be this tense. If you are too nervous on the pitch, you won't be able to perform at your best."

Illarramendi smiled awkwardly. How could he not be nervous?

The person sitting opposite him was a heavyweight.

He was the world's number one coach, a man who had won five Champions League titles, and the person who had the final say at Real Madrid. One sentence could decide whether he stayed at Real Madrid or not.

Who wouldn't be nervous?

"I think we should talk about the serious matters."

Illarramendi nodded quickly. He had long guessed that Gao Shen had something to say to him.

"I've studied your performances for Real Sociedad over the past two seasons, and to be honest, they were very good."

The young Spaniard was stunned by the compliment, but quickly nodded and said, "Thank you."

"Many people say you resemble Xabi Alonso, but I don't think so. Or rather, you are more like Xabi Alonso when he was young, not the current version," Gao Shen said.

"Yes, at Real Sociedad they told me a lot about Alonso's past at the club, including his playing style, some of his experiences and training. When I decided I wanted to be a midfielder, he was always the model I tried to catch up with and learn from."

This is what many clubs do when developing young players. It is a bit like how the media and fans like to stick a template on a youngster and call him the second coming of someone. It is the same principle.

Youth development is just a little more complex.

"You make more mistakes now, but it's still acceptable, averaging 0.7 per game. Your attacking output is also good, with one shot per game on average."

Xabi Alonso takes fewer shots, averaging 0.5 per game, which is related to his position and responsibilities on the pitch. Plus, he is getting older and his running capacity is not what it was, so naturally he cannot step up as often.

"Defensively, there's a noticeable change. In the 2011/12 season, your numbers were 3.4 tackles, 5.2 interceptions, and 1.2 clearances. Last season, those were 3.8, 2.3, and 1.6 respectively."

"Yes, coach Montanier made some adjustments to my position and responsibilities."

Gao Shen smiled and nodded. This was not a problem.

Judging from the data, it was already outstanding, enough to rank very high in La Liga.

Xabi Alonso's three numbers were 3.2, 1.9, and 1.6 respectively. Casemiro's were 3.1, 2, and 1.4. Barcelona's Busquets had 3, 1.7, and 1.3.

Under Gao Shen, Javi Martinez was known as a top defensive midfielder. His three numbers were 3, 3.8, and 2.1, but do not forget that Javi Martinez has excellent physical attributes.

The reason Real Madrid's technical team went to such lengths to sign this homegrown midfielder was not casual, nor just because they saw his strong performances. It was because he really put up eye-catching displays.

He had been one of the best midfielders in La Liga over the past two seasons.

But he also had obvious shortcomings.

"Passing."

Gao Shen pointed out Illarramendi's problem directly. It was also his concern for the young Spaniard, and it could even be said to be a key factor in his struggles to adapt to Real Madrid in his previous life.

"Over the past two seasons at Real Sociedad, your passes per game rose significantly, from 41.9 to 50.2, and your success rate increased from 79.8% to 80.7%."

"Your key passes per game rose from 0.8 to 1, and your total assists increased from 1 to 2. These numbers show clear progress and growth in your passing, but it is still not enough."

As he spoke, Gao Shen pushed a report in front of him and signaled Illarramendi to read it carefully.

It contained very detailed data analysis on him, as well as comparisons with other players of the same profile, which were very intuitive.

Xabi Alonso's pass success rate was maintained at 90%. Casemiro was a bit lower, but still 87.2%. Not to mention Busquets, famous for his passing, at 92.2%, with the highest volume of passes.

Javi Martinez may look unrefined, but his passing is underrated, basically steady at 89% or even 90%.

These clearly showed Illarramendi's shortfall in passing.

Gao Shen did not say more, but waited silently for Illarramendi to finish reading and digest it before continuing.

"I showed you these numbers to give you a clearer picture. Your passing needs further improvement, especially your completion rate, but you do not need to obsess over the data from the past two or three seasons."

Illarramendi looked at Gao Shen, a little confused.

"Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Barcelona all have completely different tactical styles from Real Sociedad, and their squad strength is also different, so it is impossible to make such a simple, crude comparison of the data." This content belongs to novelFɪre.net

Illarramendi understood.

Perhaps the only meaningful comparison here was between Xabi Alonso and Casemiro.

The Brazilian midfielder looks physically dominant and a bit reckless, but who would have thought his passing numbers were so good.

The key is that he is only 21, younger than Illarramendi.

"The technical team, the data team, and I have conducted a detailed analysis of you. We all agree that your fundamentals are excellent and that you will have no problem fitting into our Real Madrid tactics. What you need to do next is adapt and integrate, while improving yourself. You must have enough confidence."

With that, Gao Shen briefly explained his plan for Illarramendi.

In essence, he is Xabi Alonso's successor, positioned in the No. 4 role.

"But every player has his own characteristics and strengths. You are not Xabi Alonso, so there is no need to copy him entirely. You have to find your own place and role."

With the analysis and Gao Shen's words, Illarramendi clearly sensed how much Gao Shen valued him.

If he did not care, how could he have done so much preparation?

The fact that Gao Shen, so busy with everything, would do all this for him was proof enough.

"You are still young, Asier. We have a clear plan for you, but we will not rush you. We will give you time to improve and prove your ability, and we will provide you with support."

"Whether it is me or the coaching staff, we hope you and the others can let go on the pitch to perform and prove yourselves, even if you make mistakes. It does not matter."

"Only then can we understand you better and see your strengths and value."

Illarramendi understood what Gao Shen meant.

"The competition at Real Madrid is very fierce, and you know that you are up against Xabi Alonso, a world-class midfielder, and Casemiro, a midfielder with extraordinary potential. But both my colleagues and I are full of confidence and expectations for you."

"You cannot be too relaxed, but you also should not put too much pressure on yourself. Real Madrid paid that transfer fee to sign you. That is our recognition of you. Next, all of us will help you. We will give you a long period to integrate into the team and adapt to our tactics."

"I understand," Illarramendi nodded sincerely. "Thank you, Boss."

"No need to thank me," Gao Shen smiled. "We are just chatting now. Once we start working together, you will gradually understand what kind of team Real Madrid is, the teammates around you, and me."

"I will say it again. After joining Real Madrid, you can come directly to me about anything, on or off the pitch. With me, you can speak your mind."

Gao Shen's candid talk made Illarramendi feel his sincerity and realize that he was valued. This dispelled many of his concerns and put him at ease.

At least, when he walked out of Gao Shen's office, he had a smile on his face.

And Gao Shen also "encouraged" him to do something.

This was something Illarramendi had never imagined.

(To be continued.)

***

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