If his speed is considered second-rate, then who can be called first-rate?

"Huaxia kid, can you change your jersey?"

The match had just ended when Malin walked over, still holding his own jersey in his hand.

Ye Chen looked up at Malin. "Is this your attitude when asking to swap jerseys with someone?"

Malin was momentarily speechless. "I admit you're strong. Can I exchange jerseys with you?"

"No," Ye Chen rejected him outright.

But Malin was determined to get Ye Chen's jersey. Suddenly, he sat down beside him, leaned in, and whispered, "Honestly, I really respect your ability. That celebration I did before? I was misled by the media. You're not some lousy youth player at all—the real joke is Manchester United! Their academy let go of a genius!"

Ye Chen glanced at Malin. So, this guy was convinced after getting schooled?

"Please, I'm just asking to swap jerseys! I truly believe you'll become a top player like Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller one day!"

In Germany, almost no one didn't know Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller.

They were national heroes.

Ye Chen nodded. "Alright then!"

Since Malin had been so polite, he wouldn't act distant. "But remember, don't look down on Chinese people in the future!"

"I won't, I promise!" Malin grinned from ear to ear. "Thanks, Ye-ge!"

Ye Chen's mouth twitched. This kid… could he be gay?

If he remembered correctly, Malin later transferred to Chelsea, but Mourinho didn't favor him.

Right now, Malin was actually a rising star. Along with Kroos, he was considered "Germany's future." But while Kroos went on to become a legendary midfielder with five Champions League titles, Malin ended up bouncing around different leagues.

Because Ye Chen knew many players' career trajectories, he had to choose carefully.

Sometimes, choices mattered more than effort—just look at "Title Leech" Eden Hazard.

At Chelsea, he worked his heart out but never won the Champions League. Yet at Real Madrid, he barely played and still collected major honors.

Of course, the future could wait. Right now, Ye Chen just had to focus on the present.

He was still fighting for a starting position!

After getting the jersey, Malin left satisfied.

At that moment, Kagawa and Götze also walked over.

Götze grinned, "Ye, get up, it's time to thank our wonderful fans!"

Kagawa's smile was even brighter. "And guess what? Your dear Lina is among them!"

Ye Chen chuckled. "Oh, Lina is here? Do you think the boss will let me take a day off?"

"He might," Götze replied uncertainly. He rarely dared to ask for leave.

After all, Klopp was known for being strict. Casual leave requests weren't allowed...

But it was precisely this strictness that led Dortmund to win the Bundesliga last season!

German football culture emphasized respect, even after matches. Instead of leaving the pitch immediately, players would always thank the fans.

Since it was Werder Bremen's home game, their players had to go around the field showing appreciation to their supporters.

Despite the loss, the fans didn't rush to leave.

They truly embodied the spirit of "winning together, enduring losses together."

Dortmund's fans were in the away stands, so the players gathered in front of them and bowed in gratitude.

The fans responded with thunderous applause.

It was a love that went both ways.

Just like Ye Chen and Lina.

Back in the locker room, Ye Chen contacted Lina.

The team rules were clear—no bringing girlfriends onto the team bus. That left Ye Chen with a problem…

How should he ask Klopp for leave?

After taking a shower and changing into casual clothes, Ye Chen saw Klopp tidying up his things.

"Boss, um... I…"

Seeing Ye Chen hesitate, Klopp spoke first. "Lina's waiting outside, isn't she? You want time off?"

Ye Chen nodded awkwardly. "She's in the parking lot."

"Go ahead. Be back the day after tomorrow," Klopp nodded. "And don't let the reporters catch you!"

"Got it, thanks, boss!" Ye Chen grabbed his bag and dashed out of the locker room.

Lina, baby, I'm coming…

Götze and Kagawa exchanged glances.

The boss was way too nice to Ye Chen!

Seriously, comparisons were just frustrating…

Leaving the stadium, Ye Chen put on a mask and headed to the parking lot, where Lina was already waiting.

"Chen, thanks for your goal!" Lina immediately gave Ye Chen a big hug, her face beaming with joy.

Ye Chen grinned. "Welcome to Dortmund. Starting next week, we'll finally be together!"

Lina nodded. "So, where are we going now?"

"Have you eaten yet?"

"I had a hot dog. I don't eat much at night to maintain my figure."

"That won't do! How can you have energy without eating?" Ye Chen said quickly. "Let's go home first. I'll cook some noodles for you!"

"You can cook?" Lina asked in surprise.

"You'll see!"

The drive from Bremen to Dortmund was quite long—two whole hours.

Renting a car all the time was expensive, so Lina suggested that while Ye Chen rested tomorrow, they return the Porsche and buy a car for herself.

Ye Chen had no objections.

With his goal bonuses from just three matches, he had already earned tens of thousands. Buying a car was nothing!

Meanwhile, the football world was in shock.

Three matches, three hat tricks.

Ye Chen had just made Bundesliga history.

More importantly, he had only played as a substitute—just 149 minutes in total!

His terrifying scoring efficiency made him the most prolific striker in Europe!

[Manchester United Reject Shines Again in Germany!][Dortmund's New Star Striker Nets Nine in Three Games, Makes History!][Youth Academy Quality? Ye Chen Slaps Manchester United in the Face—Now You Can't Afford Me!][United's Biggest Contract Blunder: David Gill Released Ye Chen][Ye Chen's Latest Transfer Value Surpasses €10 Million!]

Countless headlines flooded in.

Over in England, Sir Alex Ferguson was watching Ye Chen's match highlights, his hands trembling slightly.

"David, do you realize what kind of genius you let go?"

"Ye Chen is exactly the kind of super striker I've been searching for!"

Ferguson's heart ached. His blood pressure nearly spiked!

But what was done was done. Ferguson knew he was in trouble.

Good thing he never shied away from a challenge.

After the match, both managers attended the post-game press conference.

"Coach Allofs, did you receive Coach Luhukay's message?"

"Yes, I did. And I even replied to him," Allofs nodded. "He told me this kid has world-class finishing but only second-tier speed. So I just have one question—if his speed is second-tier, then who in the world is first-tier?"

Laughter erupted across the room…

All the journalists had watched the match.

At first, the difference wasn't obvious, but that final burst of acceleration was absolutely brutal!