Football: I can see player entries.

Chapter 289 Captain Selection

Li Yanqing is the only one who knows that Ibrahimovic will leave next season.

The player doesn't want the matter to become public knowledge, so he plans to make it public at the end of the season.

Li Yanqing naturally agreed.

Ibrahimovic is a stabilizer in the locker room; if some players knew he was leaving, they might have some ulterior motives.

Bradford will be able to play in another two weeks, after which he will need to truly shoulder the responsibility of captain.

What Li Yanqing didn't expect was that the captain he relied on was also considering retiring.

"Retiring after this season? So sudden?"

"There's still a place for you in the team. I plan to move Blind to defensive midfield, but I'll keep you as the starting left-back!"

"You're only thirty-two, there's no need to be in such a hurry..."

If Ibrahimovic wanting to return to Milan is understandable and something he has to accept, then Bradford's statement that he wants to retire is completely unacceptable to Li Yanqing.

He's a veteran player who witnessed the team's rise from the lower leagues, and he doesn't want to return to his original team.

The team is in dire need of players right now, and he actually wants to run away like this?

However, Bradford seemed to have already made up his mind.

"Boss, I'm sorry."

"Actually, I've thought about it for a long time."

"Perhaps now is not a good time, but I have to retire."

"Yes, boss, I can still kick."

"Although I am still in the process of recovering and training, I know that I can still play."

"It could be a year, it could be two years, or even longer..."

"But that's not important."

"The important thing is that I can no longer help the team."

"What the team needs right now is to win the championship, and I... I'm afraid I can't do that."

“Mangala is more capable and talented than me, and is in his prime.”

“He can be a starter, fixed in one position, rather than a versatile defender who goes wherever he is needed.”

“Blind may not be able to secure a starting position, but he can play as an attacking defensive midfielder and full-back, making him more suitable for the team’s tactical changes.”

"Boss, I'm no longer suited for the current competition."

"You knew all along..."

Bradford has clearly realized that he is not up to par.

Maybe things were okay last season, but after seeing his teammates' performance this season, he realized it was time for him to leave the field.

Right now, I'm just dragging the team down.

"So, I have a new plan."

"I plan to stay with the team as an assistant coach."

You'll probably take me in, right?

"Boss?"

"This..." Li Yanqing was speechless for a moment.

He certainly wouldn't refuse Bradford as an assistant coach; in fact, he was quite happy to have another new helper.

However, the problem is...

He wants a captain, not an assistant coach!

He insisted on making Bradford the captain, with Ibrahimovic and others as his assistants. They had finally built up some momentum, but Bradford suddenly wanted to retire.

There's nothing more frustrating than this!

The real problem is that Ibrahimovic is also leaving, so who can take over his position?

Joe Hart is now the vice-captain, but he is not his ideal choice for captain.

Because of his personality, he often can't maintain a good balance in the locker room, which can make some people feel dissatisfied.

As for Quinn...

Li Yanqing did intend to make him the team leader, but not now.

The original plan was to let Bradford continue for another two to three years before Quinn took over.

He's still a bit too young.

However, giving him the third captain position is no problem.

In terms of fame, Dybala is definitely the most famous.

However, although he is very capable, he does not have any spiritual attributes.

Moreover, he just joined the team this season and isn't a good fit yet.

This eliminated a large number of people.

If you're going to be the team leader, someone with motivational skills would be the best choice.

Speaking of encouragement...

There really is someone who has been with the team for quite some time and has mastered the skill of motivating others.

David Lewis.

On the training field, David Lewis, sporting his afro, looked at his head coach with a puzzled expression.

Li Yanqing, on the other hand, was trying hard to suppress his laughter.

Actually, he'd wanted to say this for a long time: when someone actually has an afro and stands in front of you with it swaying back and forth, it's really hilarious.

"Ahem, uh, David."

"I have something important to discuss with you."

Do you want to be the captain?

"Huh?" David Lewis was clearly taken aback; the mention of the captain always seemed to irritate him.

"Isn't that necessary?"

"Blakeford is back."

"As for the vice-captain, there's Hart."

“Of course, they are all doing well.” Li Yanqing nodded, then told him about Bradford’s decision to retire.

"I was originally planning to train Quinn."

"But Bradford caught me completely off guard."

"So I hope you can temporarily take over his position."

"Then help me train Quinn."

“Hmm…” David Lewis thought about it seriously for a while, and then said.

"No problem, I can help."

"But is everything alright with Hart?"

"If Bradford retires, he'll be the one to take over..."

"It's alright, the captain isn't getting a raise." Li Yanqing trusted Hart completely; he definitely wouldn't have any objections...

Soon after, Li Yanqing announced the decision.

David Lewis became the team's number two captain, while Joe Hart was demoted to number three, and Quinn became number four.

Of course, he had discussed it with Hart beforehand, and the player himself was extremely pleased with the decision.

Why "joy"?

Perhaps he got a little scared from teaching others...

"Hey bro, congratulations."

"I told you you'd be the captain soon!"

Murphy bumped into a slightly bewildered Quinn.

The last time he mentioned this, the latter didn't actually believe him.

"Uh, isn't this inappropriate?"

"There's nothing wrong with it, you're very popular!"

Murphy glanced around at the other players, and indeed no one wanted to say anything; they all thought it was a perfectly normal thing to do.

This is all thanks to Quinn's consideration for others.

It would be a stretch to make him the number one team leader right now; others wouldn't be convinced, and he certainly wouldn't be able to do the job well.

But number four is different.

This mainly indicates that Li Yanqing wanted to groom him.

So no one said anything.

Actually, Hart and Quinn are equally popular.

He has a few more friends than the latter.

At this moment, they took turns mocking him.

"Hey, I bet you'll be downgraded to number four soon."

"Yes, if the goalkeeping skills don't improve and we keep conceding long-range shots."

"Get lost..."