Starting from a Fake University-Chapter 1545 - 816: The Future of Young Football Players (Please Subscribe)_2

Chapter 1545: Chapter 816: The Future of Young Football Players (Please Subscribe)_2

Actually, the matches of Feiyue Football Club were broadcast before, but it seemed like they never gained much popularity.

Let’s hope today’s match, with Ding Yue’s attention and possibly drawing in a wave of viewers, can improve the situation.

"Principal Ding, the car is ready."

After waking up and heading downstairs, Ding Yue saw his secretary, Wen Ruohan, standing at the apartment entrance.

Since Ding Yue had already decided a few days ago that he wanted to watch today’s football match, everything had been prepared in advance.

"Okay."

Ding Yue nodded and then went to the Fifth Canteen with Wen Ruohan to have breakfast first.

At the Fifth Canteen, Ding Yue ran into Huang Youjie and Xu Bin, both of whom had agreed beforehand to go together and watch the match against Shuangjiang Football Club.

"Yue, you’re up pretty early!"

Seeing Ding Yue, Huang Youjie teased him playfully.

"Today’s football match is quite important, isn’t it? Of course, I had to get up a little earlier."

Ding Yue spread his hands and said with a smile.

After eating breakfast together, the group drove away from Mist City Arts and Science University and headed toward Shuangjiang Football Field.

Shuangjiang Football Field is the exclusive stadium of Shuangjiang Football Club and the home field of Fog City Shuangjiang Football Club. In other words, today’s match for Feiyue Football Club is an away game at someone else’s home field.

But Ding Yue didn’t think the away game would cause Feiyue Football Club to be at a disadvantage.

"Have the players arrived?"

On the way, Xu Bin asked Ding Yue while driving.

"They arrived yesterday and have already settled into the hotel. For today’s match, I believe those young players all seem determined to win." Ding Yue replied calmly.

"In recent years, our national football has been terribly weak. But from what I’ve seen of the young players in Feiyue Football Club, they’re all quite dedicated, their playing styles are impressive, and I have high hopes for them this time around."

Xu Bin analyzed with enthusiasm.

"Although Shuangjiang Football Club has a few domestic star players, it doesn’t matter. As the saying goes, the waves behind push forward the waves ahead, leaving the old waves washed ashore."

Huang Youjie added confidently.

Cracking a light smile, Ding Yue remarked, "With the kind of environment we have in domestic football clubs, can any real stars emerge?"

"You’re absolutely right!"

"Domestic football is really a mess!"

Xu Bin and Huang Youjie both nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

"Yue, I think when it comes to how bad domestic football is, it’s not just due to the players themselves. The environment also plays a significant role," Xu Bin shared his thoughts. "After the clubs were commercialized, players’ salaries became more generous, but their performance worsened. Why is that?"

"When high salaries are assured regardless of performance, who would still pour their heart and energy into rigorous training and hard work?"

Shaking his head, Huang Youjie said, "That’s the state of domestic football now. It’s really lamentable."

"Exactly."

Ding Yue agreed with the sentiment.

Why is domestic football bad?

Is it due to a lack of football talent?

That could be one factor, considering that compared to abroad, our talent development indeed lags behind. But the more critical issue lies with the domestic clubs, players, and even the football association itself—they’re complacent and lack ambition.

Just think about it: you can casually play football domestically and earn an annual salary of several millions yuan. While representing our country in major tournaments might be fraught with challenges, there’s no significantly higher reward. Putting this scenario together, who would still strive to improve? Why bother when the Xia Super League allows one to rake in millions while playing casually?

"Yue, my suggestion is that Feiyue Football Club shouldn’t follow the path of those other clubs, simply pampering the players. You need to give them motivation and drive; otherwise, in the end, they’ll follow the same trajectory as the teams in other domestic clubs."

Xu Bin proposed earnestly.

"Hmm, Xu Bin, your suggestion is great. Honestly, I’ve been thinking along the same lines."

Ding Yue nodded thoughtfully and said, "These are a group of young people who carry pure football dreams in their hearts. As long as they maintain that passion and persistence, I believe they can go a long way."

Ding Yue had great faith in the young players of Feiyue Football Club.

Many times, Ding Yue saw Feiyue Football Club’s players training tirelessly day after day at Mist City Arts and Science University’s central football field.

All of them trained diligently, and Ding Yue firmly believed their hard work would eventually yield results.

"Exactly! Keeping that childlike purity in their hearts is incredibly rare, Yue. Don’t let them lose themselves in the lure of money."

Huang Youjie added emphatically.

"But how do you balance money and their football dreams?"

Furrowing his brows, Ding Yue sighed, clearly troubled.

It was a tough question and undeniably challenging to resolve.

Because once players are financially satisfied, it’s inevitable that some may develop a mindset of laziness. When faced with obstacles or difficulties, they might opt to slack off, reasoning they’ve already made their fortune, so why push themselves?

That’s exactly the situation with many players in domestic football clubs right now.

But if you don’t give them enough money?

Players might lose sight of their future and potential, perhaps even wavering in their commitment.

These issues deeply impact the players. Just think about it—what good is a football dream without a bright future? How many parents would encourage their child to pursue football without promising prospects?

It’s a very real problem!

So how do you find a balance between the two?

Ding Yue was worried about this very question.

"Indeed, we can talk about it casually, but implementing it in practice is truly difficult," Xu Bin echoed as he reflected on the issue. "Back then, the Golden Football strategy was introduced precisely to get more people involved in football. But now, it’s clear that this hasn’t been beneficial for the healthy development of the sport."

"Balancing football players’ dreams with reality is undoubtedly a tricky challenge. Yue, do you have any good ideas?"

Looking at Ding Yue, Huang Youjie asked expectantly.

"Well..."

Ding Yue hesitated before replying, "I don’t have a concrete plan yet. Xu Bin, Huang, do you have any suggestions? After all, they say three ordinary minds can equal one Zhuge Liang."

He decided to listen to Xu Bin and Huang Youjie’s suggestions, hoping to brainstorm a viable solution together.

"I’ll start with my thoughts."

Xu Bin said seriously.

"Go ahead, Xu Bin." Ding Yue nodded.

"The main conflict we’re facing right now is between the football players’ dreams and reality. The dream is simply to play football, while reality, of course, involves money—because everyone needs to make a living."

Xu Bin analyzed, "Since this is a conflict, perhaps we can try to mediate it. If it can’t be resolved fully, then at least we should strive to find some harmony."

"Exactly. We can’t ignore paying the players, but giving them too much isn’t feasible either. It’s critical to strike the right balance."

Huang Youjie nodded as he agreed.

Hearing this, Ding Yue seemed to have an idea, though it still needed refinement. He asked further, "Are you suggesting we rely entirely on the players’ self-awareness?"

"Choosing between dreams and reality is undeniably difficult. Many people might indeed abandon their dreams due to real-life pressures while on their journey forward."

Xu Bin scratched his chin and continued, "Yue, I do have a suggestion in mind. Let me know what you think..."