I Am Scouted by Real Madrid-Chapter 396 - 50: Chen, Struggling Alone?

The top three teams in the league are Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.

Valencia has performed exceptionally well this season under the leadership of Unai Emery, a coach who previously led Almeria to promotion and worked with Negredo, and who has ambitious goals this season.

The match between Valencia and Real Madrid has attracted a lot of attention. If Valencia can defeat Real Madrid and Barcelona loses in this round, Valencia could become second in the league.

Therefore, Valencia is taking this match very seriously, with key players like Villa, Silva, and Mata all making appearances.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, is missing Kaka.

Both Valdano and Pellegrini listened to the medical report and approved Kaka’s surgery plan. President Florentino, though somewhat reluctant, also gave his approval.

Florentino understands the importance of not losing the bigger picture. After all, Real Madrid signed a six-year contract with Kaka, showing their magnanimity at this critical championship moment.

At the pre-match press conference, Albiol, who transferred to Real Madrid for 15 million Euro this summer and was formerly Valencia’s vice-captain, gave a speech upon his first return to Mestalla Stadium.

He said, "This is a very important match."

"I have returned to Mestalla."

"And also returned to my hometown."

"I have always been grateful to the club and fans, and if I score in this match, I will not celebrate."

When a reporter asked Albiol about his goal for this match, Chen Zhong, who was also attending the press conference, stood in front of Albiol, gave a meaningful glance at the reporter, and said, "Our goal is to win. If we want to win the La Liga championship, we must strive to win every game we can."

This is a very normal statement. For a Real Madrid player to say this is normal, but if Albiol were to say this in front of the media, it might cause dissatisfaction among Valencia fans.

Albiol apparently realized this and continued after Chen Zhong, "Yes, this will definitely be a tough match. Villa is a top striker, possessing all the talents a top scorer should have. If you think you have him under control, he can deliver a lethal blow at any moment."

When Albiol said this, the Valencia fans watching the interview smiled. Although the departure of the vice-captain saddened them, the club’s finances made it inevitable.

However, what Albiol said next outraged Valencia fans.

Because Albiol actually said in front of the media, "The greatest players should play for the best clubs. I really hope to become teammates with Villa again at Real Madrid."

"Villa currently averages 30 goals a season. I’m curious to see how many goals he could score in a season with Real Madrid."

"That would definitely be a very great number."

During the summer transfer window, besides Benzema, Real Madrid also came very close to Villa, a player with balanced left and right foot techniques, calm in front of the goal, excellent shooting skills, and who was the top scorer of the 2008 European Cup, helping Spain win the European Cup.

Unfortunately, Valencia’s asking price was unacceptable. Real Madrid, already possessing Negredo, Benzema, and Higuain, gave up on the idea of bringing in Villa.

Albiol’s remarks to lure Villa were not only taboo for Valencia but also left Chen Zhong, standing by, staring at Albiol in astonishment, as if he wanted to open up Albiol’s head to see if it was filled with flour.

Soon, Valencia fans were calling Albiol a traitor, while former Valencia captain Albelda bluntly said regarding Villa, "Villa? He’s as valuable as C. Ronaldo! He’s more outstanding than Chen Zhong!"

Villa himself, when interviewed by the media, publicly stated, "I am willing to break through Real Madrid’s goal for the Valencia fans. I will never want to join Real Madrid."

Villa’s statement pierced the hearts of the Merengues, because as Real Madrid, they were thinking, if you don’t want to come, we’re not interested either!

As public opinion intensified, the coaches of both teams stood up. Pellegrini, addressing the cameras, said, "Negredo is an outstanding player. We also have Higuain, Benzema, and the young Morata."

"Villa is a very unique player, but we won’t spend big money to bring in a backup player."

Pellegrini’s remarks surprised many people. Real Madrid spent nearly 300 million Euro this summer window, bringing in players like Kaka, C. Ronaldo, Pirlo, and Benzema.