Chapter 873 Youth Training, We Are the Best!

No one knew that when Kanter received a call from chief scout Steve Walsh, Rueil-Malmaison was 20 kilometers north, in the small town of Sarcelles on the northern outskirts of central Paris. Four people walked into a Moroccan restaurant back and forth.

Two African-Americans were entertaining their white friends, which is not uncommon in immigrant-heavy Sarcelles.

They asked for a secluded box, ordered some food, and chatted.

Among the two African-Americans, the younger one is the 21-year-old player of the French League Two relegation team Le Havre, Riyad Mahrez. Sitting next to him is his agent Kame El Bengogam.

And the two people opposite them flew over from the UK on a special trip, Leeds United technical director Rudolf Borel, and their scouts in France.

This meeting was facilitated by the agent Carmel and the French scouts of Leeds United. They had been in contact with each other for nearly a month. It was not until recently that the players decided to meet.

Rudolf Borel is a well-known technical coach in the world, he has his own unique understanding of technical training.

Mahrez was born as a streetball player, and even now, he still hasn't changed many of his streetball habits.

Moreover, he has not played for Le Havre for a long time, and his physical strength is still insufficient. This allows Borrell to point out Mahrez's problems at a professional level, and promises to get the best guidance and cultivation in Leeds United.

"To be honest, two years ago, you did not choose Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille and Lyon and other big teams, but chose Le Havre. It's a good thing."

Borrell talked to Mahrez and his agent.

"Streetball players' sense of rhythm, the way they dribble the ball, and the intensity of defense they face are completely different from those in professional leagues. It may take a long time to adapt, and professional leagues have completely different physical requirements. "

"I saw your performance in the two seasons of the Le Havre II team. You scored 13 goals in 32 games. Last season, you scored 11 goals in 25 games. At the beginning of the season, you once came off the bench in Ligue 2 twice. times, but the key is the second half of the season."

Speaking of this, Borrell nodded again and again: "I think you have fully adapted to the Ligue 2 league. I even personally think that you should take a step forward so that you can always maintain this good momentum of improvement."

In the Ligue 2 last season, Mahrez only played nine times, five of which were substitutes.

According to the analysis results of Leeds United's technical team, his performance at the beginning of the season was not ideal.

For example, in the second round, when Le Havre played against Lavallois at home, teammate James Fanjoni was injured in the opening 20 minutes, and Mahrez was arranged by the coach to play, but he only played for 49 minutes. , was replaced in the 69th minute.

Since then, he has returned to the second team to play, and he will only be transferred temporarily when there is a problem with the team personnel.

At the end of the season, that is, the 33rd round, Le Havre ranked 18th and fell into the relegation zone, three points behind Metz and Le Mans. The relegation situation is very serious.

In this case, Mahrez once again appeared in the home game and ranked second in the standings at the time.

In the lineup of Reims, who aims to hit the Ligue 1 league.

Le Havre mainly defended in this game, but in the 71st minute, Mahrez replaced Fancioni again.

As a result, five minutes later, Mahrez created a chance to help Le Havre break the deadlock and take the lead.

Although the team was tied by the central defender's own goal at the last moment, Mahrez played bravely and was recognized.

In the next four rounds, Mahrez started all the games, and his performance was better than one game.

In the last five games, Le Havre had a record of three wins, one draw and one loss, and successfully avoided relegation. Mahrez gained a firm foothold in the starting lineup.

...

"If there is no accident, next season's Ligue 2, you will become Le Havre's main winger. You don't have obvious weak feet, you can play on both sides, and you will get more opportunities, but I believe, You should also feel that there is not much that Le Havre can give you."

"Leeds United is a team dominated by young players. I believe you know our team. We have invested a lot of energy in shaping and training players. We have the best youth training level in the world. , our teams are top teams from Barcelona and Real Madrid."

"Even, we have invested several million euros to create a complete training system for young players like you, so you can see that Courtois joined our team for one year and his performance has improved by leaps and bounds. Borg Ba also came from Le Havre, he couldn't play at Manchester United, but he came from Leeds and he was transformed immediately."

"Paulinho, Benteke, Schneiderlin..."

When he said this, Borrell spread his arms and said very confidently: "I dare to say that in European football and in terms of training young players, my colleagues and I are absolutely the best!"

Mahrez nodded slightly.

"Naturally, Mr. Borel." Agent Carmel Bengogam took the words with a smile.

"Who in the world doesn't know that Mr. Borell is the best technical coach, and Mr. Gao is the best head coach in the world. You Leeds United have invested a lot of money in youth training in the past year, and have trained several talents. Excellent talents are obvious to all, and we absolutely have no doubts about the strength of Leeds United’s youth training.”

This is the benefit of Leeds United selling people this summer.

Word of mouth hit out!

To put it bluntly, playing football as a professional player is a job, and as long as it is a job, everyone hopes to climb up.

Leeds United is the best ladder.

"Not to mention anything else, two days ago, I heard that you signed Lyon's youth player Martial in Clairefontaine and spent two million euros. This kind of courage is not something that ordinary teams can have. "

"After Mr. Gao Shen acquired Leeds United, he has been vigorously developing scouts and youth training. France has always been the area we pay close attention to, especially Clairefontaine. We all know that the best young people in France have gathered there. player."

Borrell introduced with a smile, "We followed Martial for more than half a year, and it took a lot of effort to convince Lyon and the players. In addition, we actually signed your teammate in Le Havre, Benjamin Mendy."

"When did it happen?" Mahrez was a little surprised.

He really hadn't heard of it.

"I just signed the contract yesterday, and I'm coming to Paris today." Borel said with a smile.

He landed in France at Le Havre.

Whether it is Benjamin Mendy or Martial, it is the result of Borrell taking charge of the Leeds United technical team.

In addition, there are other players, all to enrich Leeds United's current youth training system.

It can be said that after being promoted to the Premier League, the investment in youth training this season will never be less than 10 million pounds. , even the best young leaders in the world.

"I dare to meet you like this. Le Havre has reached an agreement on the transfer. Now it depends on your attitude, Riyad." Borrell said looking at Mahrez.

Gao Shen originally wanted Mahrez, but Borrell signed Benjamin Mendy by the way.

This player is really good. He has climbed up all the age groups of the French National Youth Team, and his performance is remarkable.

The key issue is that Le Havre's players are cheap.

Benjamin Mendy is only 800,000 euros, Mahrez is only 400,000 euros, and the two together are only 1.2 million euros. How cost-effective?

However, since Leeds United currently has Kurzawa and Bertrand as two left backs, Benjamin Mendy is temporarily considering continuing to play in Le Havre on loan. Once the player performs well, Leeds United will pay extra. A training fee to Le Havre.

This is also considered to be exploring a new way of training players for Leeds United.

As for Martial, who was signed by Lyon youth academy for 2 million euros, Borrell intends to train himself.

...

After eating a meal for more than two hours, Mahrez did not agree to sign Leeds United on the spot.

But judging from his expression and subsequent attitude towards Borrell, it is very likely that he agreed.

It can be seen that he is a very sensible young man.

This is very rare. Such players are not easy to go astray, and it will be easier to train them.

After sending Mahrez and his agent away, Borrell received a call from scouting director Steve Walsh. Kanter had done it, and he needed to drop by tomorrow.

"Don't wait for tomorrow, I'll go there now." Borrell was also a little anxious, wanting to see the midfielder appointed by the high-level coach.

Although Gao Shen didn't say anything, the players he picked were not simple.

The outside media are worried about the team's lineup and signings after seeing Leeds United's continuous sale of people, but in fact it is unnecessary. Leeds United has been advancing according to its own rhythm and plan, but many people are concerned. I don't know.

For example, it only cost 800,000 euros to sign Benjamin Mendy, and after signing it, he planned to loan it to Le Havre. inconspicuous.

Martial is considered the most valuable, but he is too young, only sixteen years old, destined to be reserved for the future.

In fact, Leeds United also signed the 16-year-old local midfielder Deleigh from Milton Keynes, the third level of the League One, which was the team formed after Wimbledon went bankrupt. Ali.

The deal cost Leeds United £200,000.

Speaking of it, this is the first youth training player signed by Leeds United after the FA launched the [England Elite Player Growth Plan], and the youth training compensation is given according to the number of years the player has played in Milton Keynes.

Even Leeds United gave a little more, which made up a round number of 200,000 pounds.

Not only that, Leeds United also signed right back Fabinho from the youth team of Fluminense, Brazil at a price of 300,000 euros, and signed him from Corinthians at a price of 700,000 euros. Junior Marquinhos.

Among them, Marchinhos has dual citizenship of Portugal and Brazil.

But those two transfers were equally unremarkable.

On the contrary, Gao Shen has been promoting the transfer of Inter Milan winger Coutinho, and there have been some twists and turns.

Until Gao Shen returned from his trip to Northern Europe, he still hadn't been able to solve it.