Choice

On June 30th, the Chinese League Two held the final game of the first half of the season at Jurong Stadium in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu. The match, called the "Derby with Bao," was between a group of players who left the Bao base and another group of elite players retained by Xu Bao at the current base.

The players from Zhenjiang Zhongan played very hard. While Dongya wasn't their old club, they were familiar with the Bao base, and many of the players were acquainted. This familiarity only made them play with more determination.

Many of the players were still motivated to prove themselves to Xu Bao, who had not kept them on the team. They wanted to show him that his decision to let them go was a mistake.

This match was particularly challenging, with the opponent displaying strong will and determination. Qi Ce, a notable player, was heavily guarded, exposing his lack of technical skill. He then shifted to a more direct playing style.

To succeed in Europe, Qi Ce's technical abilities may not be outstanding, but his speed and off-the-ball movement are crucial. During this time, he focused on direct play to maximize his strengths.

Although Qi Ce was double-teamed, his teammates benefited from the less intense defensive pressure. Fifty minutes into the game, Qi Ce passed the ball after drawing three defenders. Cao Yunding dribbled past the full-back and passed to the center. Zhu Zhengrong, who was unmarked, scored easily, breaking the deadlock.

Qi Ce played defensively due to the intense pressure he faced in the front. By moving back to midfield and drawing defenders away, he created more opportunities for his front-line teammates. If his teammates could seize these chances better, the game might have ended with a higher score.

Qi Ce was substituted out in the 70th minute and the score of 1:0 remained until the end.

Shanghai East Asia topped the league with six wins and one draw in seven games, firmly holding the top spot in the northern region. Most teams had similar levels, and East Asia's consistent performance set them apart. If they maintain this level of play, they could hold their position until the season's end.

However, Qi Ce may not be part of the team for the second half of the season. Zhou Feng reported that several European teams showed interest in Qi Ce, and it was almost certain that he would start his overseas career this summer.

So this might have been Qi Ce's last game there.

Living abroad, a dream Qi Ce never considered before, is now within reach.

Over the past half-year, Qi Ce experienced early professional football. Although it wasn't exactly his football dream, it was a significant improvement from his previous lack of focus.

Just like Wang Xinyu, Qi Ce has said goodbye to his past self. While Wang Xinyu pursued a life different from his past, Qi Ce was heading towards a more exciting future.

After the game, the league would restart in mid-to-late August, giving Qi Ce time to prepare for his overseas move. Zhou Feng informed him that several European clubs, such as Mainz, Bruges in Belgium, Alkmaar in the Netherlands, and Munich 1860, were interested in him.

Surprisingly, Barcelona was also one of the interested clubs.(T/N: What! Now I'm jealous)

Zhou Feng explained that Barcelona's interest stemmed from their scouting system in Asia. Although Asia was often seen as lacking in football talent, Zhou Feng's efforts caught Barcelona's attention.

Barcelona's focus on Asia had been ongoing, particularly in youth development. Many young Japanese and Korean players entered their radar, such as Kubo and Lee Seungwoo. Now, Qi Ce was on their list, even though he was older than the others.

Qi Ce appreciated the honor of Barcelona's interest, as joining such a top club is a dream for most players. However, his current situation was different.

Having a football growth system, Qi Ce could achieve great things. It might be suitable to join a giant club later, but not right now.

Being in a team full of talent like Barcelona made it difficult for Qi Ce to stand out. Playing hundreds of youth games wouldn't suffice for him; he wanted to play in official matches soon.

Excluding Barcelona, other teams were options for Qi Ce. Bruges couldn't meet the base's 300,000 euros compensation. However, Dutch and German clubs could afford it, and they believed Qi Ce was worth the price.

Zhou Feng analyzed these teams for Qi Ce. Among them, Mainz stood out.

Mainz had a partnership with Dortmund, potentially helping Qi Ce gain experience before moving to Dortmund.

The other German team, Munich 1860, was interested in Qi Ce as they had a history with Chinese players like Shao Jiayi. Zhou Feng took advantage of this and introduced Qi Ce to their scouts.

Zhou Feng also connected with other teams in Belgium and the Netherlands due to his European contacts.

Qi Ce was cautious in choosing a team, as picking the right club could elevate his career, while a wrong decision could have disastrous consequences.

Although Qi Ce's system made him less afraid of any team, his choice of team and league was crucial, considering his age and potential playing opportunities.

Qi Ce preferred the Netherlands as there were fewer age restrictions compared to Germany. He wanted to play officially as soon as possible.

This is also the reason why Nuri Shahin, a Turkish teenager of Dortmund in 2005 was able to appear at the age of 16 and 11 months, while someone like him, would not even be 17 by July 8, and if he went to a German club, he would not be able to register until the next year.

After the match with Zhenjiang Zhongan, Zhou Feng visited the base and informed Qi Ce about the possibility of going to Europe in the summer.

"Are the plans finalized?" Qi Ce asked.

"Not yet, you should undergo a trial. You understand this, right? Being young, it's faster to assess you in person."

Qi Ce nodded, "I understand, thank you, Uncle Zhou."