Krasnodar, Anapa Beach.
The young assistant lay on a chair, sunbathing and enjoying the sea breeze.
"I'm sorry, Li has no intention of transferring. He won't leave Chelsea."
"The future? We'll talk about that when the time comes!"
He hung up the phone.
He took a sip of juice.
Although he understood the conflicts between England and Abramovich, Abramovich offered too much. In addition to the top Premier League salary and huge bonuses, there was also the sky-high endorsement fee as the Russian World Cup ambassador. He also liked to give cars and watches and show concern.
Where could he find a second club owner like that these days?
The career plans of countless superstars have proven that the best plan is to have no plan.
What happens in a few years can be dealt with in a few years.
He glanced at the various endorsement contracts sent by the agency headquarters in his email. The young assistant put down his phone. He enjoyed his current job. Whenever there was a major international competition, he was like on vacation since the training base was only open to the public on certain days.
His entertainment was also very healthy.
Not because of self-discipline, but because he believed that too much indulgence would affect his financial fortune.

Spanish Base.
The morning sun shone through the window, onto the mahogany table.
Del Bosque held several pages of the "manual" faxed over by Simeone, his expression solemn.
The two famous coaches had been communicating frequently since 2014.
"The *Jiu Hao Ban* (false nine) has too many shortcomings."
"But the problems that our team has exposed... have a high degree of overlap with these shortcomings."
Minyano added in a timely manner, "Two negatives make a positive."
Del Bosque thought for a moment, and seemed unable to refute it.
Tactical games at the national team level are much lower than at the club level.
Looking back at the five major leagues, only the systems of Atletico Madrid and Juventus can support the survival of a *Jiu Hao Ban*.
A moment later.
Minyano arrived at the training ground and began tactical experiments.
Li Kang was assigned to Team A.
Team A's formation was 4-3-1-2.
The three midfielders behind Li Kang were Thiago, Koke, and Saul.
The two forwards behind Li Kang were Aspas and Vasquez.
The intention of this initial formation was obvious: a *Jiu Hao Ban* formation drill.
Beep!
Minyano blew the whistle.
The scrimmage officially began.
Aspas kicked off and passed back to Thiago.
Team A's attack revolved around Li Kang, steadily advancing.
All teammates gave Li Kang space in the center.
Leading the whole with one point.
Supporting the entire team's offensive framework.
It was like turning the power of the whole machine to the highest level.
De Gea, Pique, Busquets, Ramos and others on Team B felt the pressure and found it difficult to predict Team A's offensive direction.
When they were young, they had faced all kinds of *Jiu Hao Ban*.
But Li Kang's individual attributes and instant compatibility were too perverted.
Stable ball control.
Historical-level passing ability.
Extremely strong ability to read the defense.
Even when his running position was restricted, he could still use his body to break through.
What was even more terrifying was that he could even rotate with the two forwards, making it impossible to tell who was shielding whom.
Independent attack.
Top-level front wall.
Top-level shooting threat...
Comprehensive!
Too comprehensive!
Historical-level strategic weapon!
On the sidelines.
Del Bosque and the coaching staff couldn't help but breathe rapidly, their cheeks flushed, when they saw this scene.
This wasn't a traditional *Jiu Hao Ban*, but a terrifying monster after the front line!
Thirty minutes later.
The scrimmage ended.
Team A lost to Team B 2:3.
Del Bosque and the coaching staff were dumbfounded.
"Why is this?"
"After losing possession, the defensive method of converting the attack... we have neither Atletico Madrid's overall diamond cutting nor Juventus' level of defensive depth, so it's difficult to support the survival environment of the *Jiu Hao Ban*."
"Well... During the opponent's autonomous attack phase, other players have to compensate for the missing midfield defensive area of the *Jiu Hao Ban* through more running."
"If we still want Li to run around the entire field... and participate in deep defense, then it will be difficult for him to fully exert the power of the *Jiu Hao Ban* during the conversion attack and autonomous attack phase."
"Study it further!"
Minyano specifically sent a message to the Chelsea coaching team.
He wanted to discuss it with the 'Champions League-winning coach'.
But he received an angry reply from Tuchel: 'What the hell? What era is it where Li still has to be exhausted playing *Jiu Hao Ban*?'

At two o'clock in the afternoon, after training.
Li Kang and his teammates came to the game room in the base.
Instead of playing FIFA games, they went to the movie room to watch documentaries together. This was part of Spain's 'will training'.
The documentary content was probably the championship journey of the 08, 10, and 12 major competitions.
Everyone had watched it dozens of times over the years, so they began to chat idly.
Iniesta and Busquets hesitated, they learned from Morata about the various 'special' treatments at Chelsea, and were too ashamed to discuss with Li Kang about bonds, villages, and partners.
Once you have seen the great ocean, other waters are nothing to you.
Once you have seen the clouds around Mount Wu, other clouds are not worth a glance.
The establishment of Barcelona's Dream Team IV Dynasty became increasingly distant.
Even if they won the World Cup this year, how dare they make the "wearing Barcelona jerseys" behavior.
The thoughts of other club players were similar. The current Spanish national team was no longer the Barcelona group, the Real Madrid group, or the Valencia group.
No one hinted at attracting Li Kang to join their club anymore.
Morata patted Isco on the shoulder and said, "Are you interested in transferring to Chelsea?"

Adidas Marketing Director - Wexler, led the production team and a group of staff to the Krasnodar base.
Wexler felt bitter in his heart.
Back then at the European Cup, he blamed himself for being too short-sighted and reluctant to invest, which led to Li Kang completing the signing with Puma.
Now that Adidas came to shoot the national team jersey advertisement, they couldn't even let Li Kang appear on camera.
In this World Cup, the teams sponsored by Adidas were only: Spain and Belgium.
Unfortunately, these two teams were about to meet in the quarter-finals.
Wexler stamped his feet in anger: "Damn it, it seems that this year's champion is... the French team sponsored by Nike."
The Germany and Argentina teams that he was originally optimistic about were eliminated.
The staff looked at each other, recalling Wexler's past "predictions"... This year's World Cup champion will definitely not be the French team.

It was night.
Adidas' jersey advertisement updated....
Belgium vs Spain.
The video content was very creative:
Accompanied by passionate background music.
Several main players from both sides stripped off their shirts, revealing perfect muscle lines.
Tear!
Suddenly.
They reached out and tore open their skin, revealing the Adidas jerseys inside!
'Integrated as one'.
Comments section.
-
[This advertisement is a bit perverted, how did it pass the review?]
-
[Does the content of the advertisement mean that Adidas clothes are like wearing nothing?]
-
[Why aren't Li Kang, Lukaku, De Bruyne, and Hazard there?]
-
[Because they didn't sign with Adidas.]
-
[Rush, Spain vs Belgium, 7+!]

July 7th.
Tourists from all over the world gathered in Samara.
This city was formerly known as: Kuibyshev.
During the Soviet-German War from 1941-1945, Samara became the Soviet Union's "second capital" and "rear base".
Today, the most famous attraction here is: Stalin's Bunker.
During World War II, after Moscow was captured by the German army, the Soviet Union established a defensive building for the Supreme Armed Forces in Samara.

"ESPN! ESPN! Good evening, viewers."
"Now we are broadcasting the 2018 Russia World Cup 1/4 final."
"Spain against Belgium!" "Tonight we have come to Samara Arena!"
"This stadium is located on an island, and its appearance is like a spaceship, extremely magnificent."
"It is about to witness a clash of money!"
"The combined value of the players on both sides can build several Samara Arenas!"
"Even the lineups that top clubs are extremely envious of have actually appeared in the national teams!"

Pre-match press conference.
Del Bosque and Belgium coach - Martinez, embraced warmly.
The other party was also Spanish, and also Catalan. Coincidentally: they also liked to play possession.
Of course, he and Guardiola only had one thing in common: they were both bald.
After the two coaches exchanged pleasantries, they sat down separately.
Reporters began to ask questions enthusiastically.
Del Bosque listened carefully and answered patiently.
"Belgium may be the strongest opponent we have encountered in this World Cup."
"Their lineup is worth nearly 800 million euros."
"Even top European clubs find it difficult to put together such a perfect lineup."
"Yes, they are a brave tiger, who just took a nap when they encountered the Japanese team."
"Spain will focus on defense and look for opportunities to counterattack!"
On the other side.
Martinez looked relaxed.
"I am very proud to be able to lead Belgium to this point."
"Belgium has a population of only 11 million, but it has produced many shining European stars."
"We have learned from the lessons brought by the Japanese team and will face Spain in the best condition!"

Players' tunnel.
The players from both sides greeted each other warmly.
Li Kang glanced at the Belgian lineup, they were all 'acquaintances': Lukaku, Hazard, De Bruyne, Carrasco, the Tottenham + Manchester City midfield and defense combination.
If the timeline is pulled back and compared again, both lineups are very luxurious, the biggest difference is the average age.
De Bruyne smiled at Li Kang....
Lukaku looked straight ahead, firmly gazing at the tunnel exit.
Hazard chatted and laughed with his club teammates.
Courtois looked arrogant.
A moment later.
The referee team led the players from both sides out of the tunnel.
Samara Arena suddenly erupted with mountain-shaking cheers.
"Now we will introduce the starting lineups of both sides."
"Spain is lining up in a 4-4-2 formation!"
"Goalkeeper: De Gea."
"Defenders: Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Azpilicueta!"
"Midfielders: Saul, Koke, Li Kang, Thiago."
"Forwards: Diego Costa, Morata."
Live broadcast room.
-
[The 'old' midfield five are sitting on the bench, does Del Bosque want to use these players to play counter-attack?]
-
[Small ball is stable.]
-
[I don't understand, why is Spain sending out two forwards? In the past, they would rather play a striker-less formation than use a forward.]
-
[I guess Spain's actual formation is 4-3-1-2! Li Kang is that 1.]
"Belgium is lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation!"
"Goalkeeper: Courtois."
"Defenders: Vertonghen, Kompany, Toby, Chadli."
"Double defensive midfielders: Dembele, Witsel."
"Attacking midfielders: Hazard, Fellaini, De Bruyne."
"Forward: Lukaku."
Live broadcast room.
-
[This golden lineup, won't it blow up Spain?]
-
[World-class defense, hard and skillful double defensive midfielders, three-dimensional offensive attacking midfielders, Black-faced Killer - Lukaku!]
-
[This is the first time I've seen Vertonghen play as a full-back.]
-
[He is 1.9 meters tall and very fast, with strong offensive attributes.]

The coin toss ended.
Li Kang noticed that there were not many Belgian fans at the scene.
The system prompt sounded quietly.
-
[Ding, task triggered: Platinum Generation!]
-
[Task description: Samara sings the victory songs of the Patriotic War... Well, this game will be very difficult. You are facing one of the strongest teams on paper on this planet. Regrets are inevitable in life, and the attitude towards regrets determines your height. Learn to embrace failure, embrace regrets.]
-
[Task reward: Platinum Treasure Chest.]
Li Kang:...
Platinum Generation? The reward is just a Platinum Treasure Chest?

With the referee's whistle.
The game officially began.
Belgium has the ball.
The football moved quickly on the grass, and bursts of cheers erupted from the four stands.
"Coaches who come from Spain all prefer possession."
"It's not the same."
"Martinez's deployment in this game is more concise in advancing."
"The flames of war have spread to the Spanish half."
"The one on one fight starts!"
Diego Costa and Morata defended actively.
Li Kang was "allowed" to the front end of the formation.
After De Bruyne received the ball in the right half, he quickly moved towards the inside line, and Koke immediately topped it.
There was no slow-paced entanglement.
The Manchester City midfielder's feet seemed to cast magic, and the football drew a rainbow on the grass, finding Chadli who was inserted on the wing.
Strictly speaking, the midfield and defense of this Belgian team have deeper Dutch blood.
Like his teammates, Chadli became famous in the Eredivisie, and played as a winger and attacking midfielder in his youth, with comprehensive offensive abilities....
"Very fast!"
"Secondary acceleration!"
"Belgium has widened the attack."
"Lukaku pulls to the side, Fellaini becomes a center role!"
"Can Chadli find a suitable starting position?"
Chadli galloped on the right wing.
He quickly encountered the double-team interception of Thiago and Azpilicueta.
The Bayern midfielder blocked the inside line, and the Chelsea full-back blocked the outside line.
Top interception.
Chadli flinched and didn't dare to lose the ball casually in the star-studded national team.
Pa!
His heel tapped the ball backwards.
Witsel, who was inserted, greeted the ball and started.
"The super foreign aid of the Chinese Super League powerhouse."
"His strength can definitely stand firm in the top teams of the five major leagues!"
"This ball is passed so well!"
Belgium's high defensive line pressed forward.
Tottenham - Dembele dragged behind.
Giving Witsel plenty of scheduling space.
Even though he plays in the Chinese Super League, this afro midfielder has top-notch vision, awareness, and footwork.
The football turned and turned in the air, falling to the left wing.
Hazard rushed to the landing point.
But he was blocked!
Saul and Carvajal, nearby, were very tacit and fully demonstrated the coordinated combat capabilities of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
Three people jumped up at the same time... but none of them headed the ball.
"Beautiful!"
"Lukaku unloads the ball! Take it inside!"
"Pique, don't be distracted!"
On the sidelines.
Minyano was very nervous.
Belgium's autonomous offense was extremely threatening, spreading multiple attack points in Spain's dangerous zone.
Spain's 4-3-1-2 low defensive style was difficult to form a strangulation during the opponent's advancement.
Just what...
Accompanied by the sighs of the audience.
After Lukaku swayed past Pique, he blasted a shot! The football flew to the stands.

There are still four thousand words, wait for me to finish revising, I will send it in the middle of the night, everyone go to bed early.

(End of chapter)
Chapter 1 The Beginning