Chapter 007 Countdown

Because there are only two days until the date of his trial training

Because the Ajax team of the 1995 generation, apart from a few players like Rijkaard, had most of its key players who were very young, such as Overmars, Van der Sar, and Kluivert

Next to the refrigerator on the first floor, Freddy and Qin Xiong carefully reviewed the tenant rules posted by the landlord.

Holding the alarm clock, Qin Xiong returned to his room. He first went to the shared bathroom on the third floor to wash up, then returned to his room to change out of his sportswear. Having eaten before coming here, he directly lay down on the bed, picked up the alarm clock, and set the time. It was still not yet 8 PM, but he planned to sleep, aiming for at least 6 AM the next morning, ensuring a full ten hours of sleep while also adjusting to the time difference.

Freddy pulled a calculator out of his suitcase, tapped on it for a while, and then sighed: "But it's still quite cheap here. In other places, either the distance to the stadium is far and transportation is inconvenient, or the rent is more expensive. Let's settle down here for now; perhaps you can sign a contract with Ajax, and the club will provide you with better accommodation."

In less than ten years, specifically during the 2002-2003 season, Ajax's youth team, under the leadership of head coach Ronald Koeman, created a youthful storm in European football

The departure of two key players from the first team has forced Ajax to undergo significant changes in its tactical system for the new season

However, in the post-Bosman era, accompanied by several consecutive years of profiting from player transfers and substantial earnings from broadcasting rights, on one hand, clubs are helpless in retaining their talents, and on the other hand, the enticing offers from wealthy investors tempt the board, leading the clubs to reluctantly yield to reality

However, the emergence of the Bosman ruling transformed European football, granting players increasingly stronger negotiating power with clubs. Ultimately, the Ajax team of the '95 generation disbanded in the following years, with stars transferring to new clubs, whether due to better compensation, league competitiveness, or other factors

The departures of Ziyech and Van de Beek brought Ajax an income of 30 million euros. At the same time, in order to uphold its traditional dignity, the club invited the esteemed coach Van Gaal back to serve as the technical director. However, this decision sparked internal conflicts within the club from the very beginning

... ...

After disembarking from the plane, Qin Xiong and Freddy arrived at the Amsterdam Arena located in the suburbs. They had neither the time nor the inclination to explore the city; they only wanted to see Ajax's home ground at the first opportunity

During Van Gaal's tenure as head coach at Ajax, he was the "king" of the club from top to bottom. He single-handedly managed everything from the first team to the youth teams, as well as tactics and player training. No one held more power than he did. However, now that Koeman is the head coach, the club has invited Van Gaal back to serve as a strategic designer, creating an awkward situation where two tigers cannot coexist on the same mountain.

Having done all this, Qin Xiong closed his eyes, cleared his mind, and did not think of anything related to books or images, using steady and rhythmic breathing to engage in "self-hypnosis" to fall asleep. For someone as energetic as him, at the Jiangcheng Youth Football Home, coaches and doctors would teach various methods to aid sleep, and over time, he developed good habits.

The current captain, Van der Vaart, a Dutch player now adorned with the halo of Europe's top talent, previously played in the forward position. In the new season, however, Koeman has moved him back, prompting a tactical shift for Ajax in the new season. From the three matches of the new season, the results have not been particularly satisfactory

Just four months ago, in the fierce battle at San Siro, had it not been for the last-minute winner by the Danish player Thomasen, it would have been this talented, youthful, and vigorous Ajax that advanced to the semifinals of last season's UEFA Champions League

He went into the store and bought the cheapest alarm clock

Freddy and Qin Xiong arrived at the pre-arranged location, which is close to the Amsterdam Arena and has a low rental cost. They did not stay in a hotel or inn, as accommodation expenses in Amsterdam are prohibitively high

The first match was the UEFA Champions League qualifying round, where Ajax faced off against Austria's Graz AK away from home, resulting in a 1:1 draw against their opponents.

As the grand modern stadium came into view, Qin Xiong looked up with his head held high, his gaze unwavering. Many tourists were also present to visit, but perhaps due to the first two rounds of the new season in the Eredivisie, Ajax was playing away and did not have a match here, resulting in a rather subdued atmosphere. This was especially true since, just yesterday local time, Ajax had defeated the weaker team Rosinda away, securing their second consecutive victory in the new season's league.

The most glorious memory of Ajax in recent contemporary history dates back to 1995, when the team, led by Van Gaal, reached the pinnacle of European football, creating the myth that 9 of the starting players in the final were products of Ajax's youth academy. This record may be difficult to surpass

Freddy glanced at his watch, reminding Qin Xiong that it was time to leave. Qin Xiong's expression became serious and solemn as he walked towards the city center with Freddy, not looking back.

Qin Xiong's eyes seemed eager to absorb every detail of the stadium, observing intently and seriously, not wanting to miss any aspect, standing there for a long time.

Netherlands, Amsterdam

At that time, the prevailing opinion in Europe believed that Ajax would establish a dynasty, dominating an era of European football

The new generation of Ajax has yet to achieve dominance, and at the end of last season, they suffered a double blow: failing to defend their league championship and losing two key players, Ziyech and Van de Beek, to Serie A clubs in Italy during the summer. Perhaps for Ajax, a club with Jewish roots, this is not considered a setback. In the process of keeping pace with the times, Ajax has also begun to waver in its traditional goals regarding youth training.

Freddy and Qin Xiong entered the three-story apartment, which is essentially an independent apartment resembling a small building. The second and third floors are likely to have guest rooms

I tested the alarm sound, everything was fine, then I set the alarm for 6:00 the next morning and placed it next to my pillow. This landlord is really stingy, not even providing a bedside table

Generally, there are some prohibitions such as no solicitation, no loud noise, hygiene requirements, and a clear delineation of the use of items within the apartment. For instance, tenants are not allowed to use the landlord's washing machine or cook in the premises, etc. As for how tenants can address these issues, the landlord has kindly provided guidelines on another sheet of paper: where to find affordable dining options and where to locate self-service laundromats

Qin Xiong finished reading the tenant rules and frowned, saying, "It seems quite inconvenient"

Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock

He silently vowed: Next time I come, I will wear the Ajax jersey! I will become the main character here

The soundproofing of this room is quite good, isolating it from the external noise, creating a serene silence

However, Ajax has not succumbed to this; they have consistently maintained a very high standard in youth training.

The landlord is a widowed local elderly man, appearing quite relaxed and not exhibiting the desolation often associated with old age. He seems to take pleasure in his own company, chatting and drinking with two other elderly men in front of the apartment. After reviewing Freddy and Qin Xiong's identification, he handed them the room keys and informed them to place the rent and deposit on the table in the living room on the first floor. The rules for renting are posted next to the refrigerator and must be read before moving in. If they do not wish to rent, they can simply leave at https://www.hetushu.com.com.

In the past, Ajax consistently maintained that the goal of youth training was not to sell players for a good price, but to strengthen the team's capabilities, in pursuit of championships

In the new season, the league features two consecutive away matches for Vitesse against Rosendaal, both of which are mid to lower-tier teams, with one even being a relegation-threatened squad. Ajax could only manage a hard-fought narrow victory by a single goal. Compared to last season's solid tactical system, their play was fluid and seamless, while this season, amidst the changes, they are struggling to find their footing

Ajax has played three matches in the new season, all of which were away games

Carrying their luggage, Freddy and Qin Xiong ascended to the third floor, where they assigned their respective rooms. The rooms were quite clean, but the furnishings were indeed meager: a bed, a set of table and chairs, and a wardrobe, nothing more

... ...

For him, it is also a race against time; he must adjust to the time difference in the shortest possible time and optimize his physical condition as quickly as possible

Qin Xiong had no room for rebuttal; on this trip, he was penniless. As for how much money Freddy had brought, he did not wish to inquire, for he did not want to rely on others any longer

Fortunately, Qin Xiong's demands were not high. After he placed his luggage, he went to borrow some money from Freddy, then went downstairs and out the door. On the way, he remembered there was a small shop not far away.

There are 52 hours remaining until Qin Xiong goes to Ajax for a trial

The Bosman ruling has transformed the landscape of European football, leading to more frequent player transfers. In particular, players who gain sudden prominence in lower-tier leagues are quickly "secured" by clubs in top-tier leagues.