I Am Scouted by Real Madrid-Chapter 331 - 22: Setting Things Right

Everything that happened in the locker room made Pellegrini feel panicked.

Everything started to slip out of his control, and he finally realized a fact.

That is, he had never truly controlled the team’s locker room; all his actions were carried out with Chen Zhong’s tacit approval.

Because of Chen Zhong’s approval, his tactics could be implemented, the club’s senior management tolerated him, and the Merengues didn’t pick him apart. But when Chen Zhong didn’t support him.

Even his "close friend," Francisco, whom he had always been open and honest with, stood unequivocally behind Chen Zhong.

Where exactly did things go wrong?

Why did Chen Zhong, who was initially "docile," suddenly do this?

Did someone say something to him?

"You know what I have to do!"

"Xavi is injured." Pellegrini mentioned Xavi Alonso, the player who had just transferred from Liverpool and was injured in the last league match by a Sporting Gijon player. He was one of the best choices to replace Chen Zhong in "holding the line," and Pellegrini threw the question to Chen Zhong, trying to use this retreating tactic to make Chen Zhong yield: "We need a player to sacrifice for the team, you’ve been through those times."

Pellegrini’s eyes looked very calm and sincere.

The time he mentioned referred to Chen Zhong’s first season at Real Madrid, when the team was often breached at the start by opponents, and he subtly suggested that now Real Madrid’s defense was so solid, all thanks to his tactical design.

"That’s something you need to consider."

"The club spent three hundred million not just to compete for a league title."

"And setting me as the highest paid in the team, wearing the number 10, becoming the captain, wasn’t to make me a full-time defensive player." Chen Zhong’s words brought some noise in the locker room, especially among players close to Chen Zhong, like Marcelo, who widened their eyes and slightly parted their mouths, showing a look of surprise, seemingly shocked at how Chen Zhong straightforwardly confronted the coach in front of all the players, leaving no room for face.

One should know that Chen Zhong was the most considerate of the "big picture," even when he was snubbed during Schuster’s time. When interviewed by reporters, he only said that he hadn’t worked hard enough to meet the coach’s requirements and did not say a single bad word.

During this period, although the locker room seemed calm on the surface, there were inevitably some players, like Casillas and Ramos, who felt that Chen Zhong might lack the charisma to become the "boss" of the locker room. After all, if he didn’t even fight for his own "interest," how could he be expected to fight for the "interest" of other players?

Pellegrini opened his mouth to say something, but faced with such a "fact," even someone like him had no way to argue.

From a personal perspective, having Chen Zhong play as a defensive player was the most "secure" method, but from a macro perspective, it was akin to Barcelona making Messi act as a "wingman," primarily tasked with breaking through to assist other attackers in scoring, which was absurd.

"Can you all please leave, I’d like to speak with Chen privately."

"Francisco?"

No one paid attention to Pellegrini; everyone remained where they were, even Pellegrini’s good assistant Francisco was unmoved. They weren’t opposing Pellegrini, just expressing their support for Chen Zhong, even those like Casillas and Ramos who had their own little calculations in mind.

"Chen..." Pellegrini no longer had the previous "arrogant air" as he looked around and noticed the expressions of those watching the show, feeling somewhat uncomfortable: "Can I talk to you alone?"

This was Pellegrini’s request, or perhaps a form of "plea," as he was eager to know Chen Zhong’s attitude towards him, even though he had once thought of resigning before he officially became the team coach.

But once seated in this position, who would be willing to leave so abruptly?

"Okay."

As Chen Zhong’s words fell, other players began to slowly walk out of the locker room, and before leaving, Francisco walked up to Chen Zhong and whispered something.

"Chen."

"I’m glad to see you stand up."

"But some things..."

The higher-ups at Real Madrid hadn’t considered letting Francisco become the team’s head coach because Francisco lacked the capacity to lead a team independently. Although he often made good suggestions during Schuster’s period, his strength lay in improving an already complete tactical setup, commonly known as "finding faults," and he didn’t have a football ideology or philosophy of his own.

At this moment, Francisco wasn’t pleading for Pellegrini but was worried that Chen Zhong’s "youthful recklessness" might lead to decisions affecting the future.

If Pellegrini is dismissed, then the next head coach will undoubtedly be a bona fide championship-winning coach, a prestigious manager.

And such coaches often have their own temperament. If they want to coach Real Madrid, they must ensure their right to speak, and if the locker room has a "cancer" like Chen Zhong, they might reject Real Madrid’s invitation, which would also affect Real Madrid’s subsequent team building strategy.

No coach allows themselves to lose control of the locker room, especially not a prestigious manager.