"Hello, hello!"

"Hello everyone, hello!"

Although Zhao Gang's personality was very steady, he was equally excited when he saw these people.

In his previous life, he had watched almost every Manchester City game because Guardiola liked them.

Although these big names couldn't be called his idols, they were definitely people he respected and loved.

Countless times, he had fantasized about competing with these people on the same field, and it would be a great happiness to gain their recognition.

Now, he was standing here, becoming a teammate with these big shots.

Now, he no longer needed to satisfy his vanity by gaining the approval of these people.

He came to Manchester City to learn, to train, to improve his physical fitness, awareness, and defense.

But it was also possible that he was there for... poverty alleviation!!

Zhao Gang took the initiative to introduce himself to all his teammates, and with each handshake, Zhao Gang felt a surge of excitement in his heart.

His Premier League career had officially begun!

These teammates were at least superficially harmonious with Zhao Gang. After all, the big shots in the team now were Guardiola and Agüero. Guardiola had bought him, and Agüero took the initiative to greet him warmly, so of course, the others wouldn't show any contempt.

But in their hearts, there were definitely some different emotions, especially De Bruyne.

De Bruyne had cost 57 million pounds to become Manchester City's most expensive signing, but the following year, he was surpassed by this young kid.

It was very likely that Guardiola bought Zhao Gang to compete with him for a starting spot, which made De Bruyne extremely uncomfortable.

De Bruyne, in the Belgian national team, was keenly aware of this kind of superficial harmony.

So on the surface, everyone was friendly.

If Zhao Gang really threatened his starting spot, it was very likely to cause conflicts in the locker room.

After all, De Bruyne's level had truly been tested in top leagues, and he had also had very amazing performances in the Premier League.

He would absolutely not accept being a substitute at any club.

...

The atmosphere at Manchester City was quite good, thanks to Guardiola's methods and the group's absolute trust in Guardiola.

This was a hundred times better than the other club in the same city, where everyone wanted to be the boss, from management to players, each feeling they were great, ultimately leading to a complete mess.

After Ferguson retired, everyone thought they could do it.

It was like after Lü Bu died, the generals of the Three Kingdoms all thought they were the best in the world.

Several assistant coaches of the team began to lead the players in warming up.

Zhao Gang looked at the training ground, which was indeed much better than Norwich's.

Not only was the area much larger, but the quality of the lawn was also incomparable to Norwich's.

Before the warm-up was over, Guardiola arrived.

"Very good, thank you for your efforts. The world is never short of talent. I have seen too many excellent players ruin themselves because of indulgence.

So, as always, whether in training or on match days, everyone is forbidden to drink alcohol.

Also, no soda, desserts, those junk foods. You are not allowed to touch them in front of me." Guardiola was always known for his advanced football philosophy and demanding tactical literacy.

But he also interfered a lot with the players' diets, which was actually thanks to another coach Zhao Gang respected, Wenger.

It was Wenger's arrival that led the Premier League to pay attention to the healthy diets of players, and the coaches of the top leagues realized that this had a huge impact on the players' physical fitness and even their careers.

However, Guardiola could only influence the players' diets during training and on match days.

He couldn't do anything when they went home.

Messi was the best example. Guardiola painstakingly tried to persuade him, like an old father, not to drink soda, as it was very important for Barcelona and for him.

As a result, everyone knew that Messi's love for soda still exceeded Guardiola's persuasion.

"All of you, all the players here, are world-class. I can tell you without exaggeration that the players I have chosen are all world-class!

Together, you will achieve something great!

But to achieve greatness, it doesn't depend on one person, it depends on a team! Everyone plays their role in the team!

So… I need you to put away your pride and abide by the rules and discipline I set!

Once, if any of you think a rule is unreasonable, or that my rules are wrong, then tell me to my face, don't hide it in your heart!"

Zhao Gang thought, hey, Guardiola is quite reasonable. Rules are made by people and can be discussed!

Very reasonable...

"I will arrange for you to watch over the water dispenser, and you don't need to abide by my discipline! Until you leave Manchester City!"

Uh... Zhao Gang was dumbfounded.

This... isn't this the same as saying nothing?

It's just that you must obey, and if you don't, get out.

"Understand??"

"Understood!!"

Guardiola nodded, "Of course, if you are Messi, I can pour you a drink myself."

No matter when, Guardiola had to mention that man.

Guardiola directly arranged a scrimmage.

This was the fastest way for players who had been resting for a long time to get familiar with football.

It was also the fastest way for Guardiola to familiarize himself with Zhao Gang's style of play.

Whether on TV or in person, it wouldn't be as clear as watching training up close.

Manchester City, this summer, only had Zhao Gang as a truly significant signing!

This was simply unprecedented for Guardiola.

So Manchester City's management also came to the scene.

They also wanted to see how powerful this person, who had been praised to the skies by Guardiola, really was.

This scrimmage didn't have a so-called distinction between starters and substitutes.

Zhao Gang and De Bruyne were together, along with Sterling.

Agüero was paired with David Silva, working with Fernandinho.

De Bruyne was a little surprised. Was this arrangement meant to put Zhao Gang on the front line?

Otherwise, his and Zhao Gang's positions would overlap.

When Guardiola arranged the formation, De Bruyne realized that they had no striker!

Zhao Gang stood in the middle, and he and Sterling were on the left and right sides. It could be said that there was no striker, or that there were three strikers.

And even more bizarrely, this lineup had no defensive midfielder.

Guardiola liked to experiment with these bizarre formations.

Zhao Gang had too much of an impression of it. In his previous life, Guardiola had once put out a no-midfielder lineup in a big game like the Champions League final, and was beaten to a pulp by Liverpool.

Guardiola stood on the sidelines, watching.

His eyes, of course, were always on Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang himself didn't know his position in Guardiola's heart.

He was the most important piece of the puzzle.

In Guardiola's eyes, the Norwich players were a bunch of trash, and Farke could only be considered a diligent coach, but he couldn't say it out loud.

Being able to bring those players to that level relied not only on his high skill, but also on his infectiousness.

Manchester City could play well when they were winning, but it was difficult to come back once they were losing.

Zhao Gang was the player he needed.

Someone who could truly stand up at critical moments.

Even if it didn't work this year, given two or three years, he would grow up.

Now, Guardiola's expectation for Zhao Gang was that he could gain a foothold in the Premier League, which would be enough.

He didn't need him to become a team regular instantly.

Zhao Gang's growth ability was very strong. Eventually, he would become Guardiola's real trump card.

The reason why Guardiola was willing to pay such a high price was not for Zhao Gang's shooting and passing.

There were plenty of players like that, so why spend so much money to buy Zhao Gang? A player who can't defend?

He was buying Zhao Gang's visible growth potential and his influence on his teammates and the team.

Soon, De Bruyne got the ball and quickly advanced forward. His teammates were obviously very familiar with his passing, so they immediately organized a defense, preventing him from directly making a long pass to the front.

Helpless, De Bruyne could only pass the ball to Zhao Gang, who was supporting him.

Zhao Gang's current breakthrough ability was already considered top-notch.

So, facing Fernandinho in front, he pushed the ball lightly, directly dribbling past him.

Fernandinho was even stunned for a moment. He was indeed a little careless, but he didn't expect this guy to be so nimble!

Guardiola frowned slightly. It seemed that there was no difference between Zhao Gang facing defenders in the Championship and the Premier League...

Sterling on the wing was watching Zhao Gang. He didn't understand Zhao Gang, and he didn't know if this guy could pass a miraculous ball.

But looking at this dribble, he seemed quite powerful.

Sterling hardened his heart and began to charge according to the established route.

Swish!

Sterling ran and turned his head to look at Zhao Gang.

What the hell...?

Sterling watched as three defenders stretched their legs to block, but the ball still appeared in his running path, as if it were a training drill with no defenders!

This guy is strong!

Sterling swung his right foot, bang!!

Then he knelt on the ground, his eyes darting around, giving Zhao Gang a thumbs up.

Goalkeeper Hart stood there, not reacting at all.

He couldn't react to that ball speed at all.

But it didn't hit the target, and went straight out of the crossbar.

Agüero stood not far away, covering his face, his mouth almost crooked with laughter.

Guardiola kept a straight face, but he was already looking forward to it.

If Zhao Gang continued to perform like this, and it wasn't just a flash in the pan, then Sterling, who was bought for 70 million euros, could be sold directly without hesitation.

Of course, if Sterling was willing to be a substitute, that would be okay too.