The two collided, and Negredo almost stumbled to the ground.

He looked at Chen Zhong in astonishment. Just a week ago, the two were evenly matched in physical contests, but now, Chen Zhong's physical confrontation ability had improved by a level.

How is this possible?

What has Chen Zhong been eating these days?

He couldn't help but recall the rumors about a "monster" in the team, an exceptionally capable monster who was approaching Castilla, and even Real Madrid, at an astounding pace.

"Are you okay!" Chen Zhong extended his hand to help Negredo up: "The look on your face is like you've seen a monster."

"Yes, it's a monster."

"Chen, how did you do it?" Negredo couldn't figure out how Chen Zhong managed to transform from a light tank to a heavy tank in just a few days.

"Negredo, this surprises you?" Mata couldn't help but chime in from the side: "You don't know, he's almost as fast as me now when he runs."

"Chen, how did you do it?" Granero couldn't help but ask from the side: "Your speed and sprinting ability, what's going on?"

Other teammates like Nacho, Parejo, and Callejon gathered around, especially Nacho, who couldn't resist poking and prodding Chen Zhong's body with a curious look. Chen Zhong's muscle-gaining process was simply abnormal, like inflating a balloon.

Chen Zhong looked at his teammates gathered around him, thinking to himself, do you want me to tell you that I have a cheat that allows me to redistribute points?

The water in a bucket remains the same amount; if you distribute more in some places, there will be less in others.

"Want to know?"

"Maybe it's because I'm naturally gifted!"

Upon hearing this, his teammates couldn't help but dismiss it with a laugh and then continued their banter. After a light hangout in the evening, they returned to their respective clubs the next day.

It wasn't until they all left that Chen Zhong had the time to conduct a comprehensive self-assessment. In terms of speed, both his sprinting speeds had exceeded 80, meaning he could even play as a winger in some lower-level leagues.

As for physical attributes, Chen Zhong's jumping ability had dropped to 68, endurance increased to 82, and strength surged to 95, making him a genuine green field heavy tank.

However, his offensive and organizational stats had decreased in compensation, especially his passing, which had dropped to 67 and 60 for long and short passes, with an arc as poor as 49.

Nonetheless, his defense stats had adjusted during this period of training with players like Callejon and Mata, with interceptions reaching 84, headers 79, defensive awareness 92, tackling 82, and sliding tackles 86.

The current Chen Zhong is completely different from the previous "Chen Tackle's" technical characteristics.

Moreover, although the total stats have slightly declined compared to before, he could completely focus on training to minimize his weaknesses.

"Still a bit not used to my current self," Chen Zhong said while stretching his body. Previously, he might have focused on agility, but now, he was entirely moving toward the "great power brings miracles" approach.

This newly developed system function, whether it's good or bad, for players may feel awkward, but for coaches, it's like having a wife who's a Ditto, able to transform into any style they desire, just needing some time.

As the national team events wrapped up and with the return of teammates, the club also became lively again. Marcelo was the first to approach Chen Zhong, chattering with some useless banter.

The next day, the club organized a physical testing for the players.

Afterwards, Disalvo specifically checked Chen Zhong's data, and seeing it, couldn't help but be shocked, murmuring to himself: "How is this possible? Damn it, is he really a monster?"

"Muscle mass, explosive power, sprinting speed, and lung capacity, endurance." Disalvo's eyes were filled with disbelief. Seeing the weight initially, he thought Chen Zhong had gained fat, but the muscle mass data confirmed that this monster gained muscle.

In different tactical systems, coaches often have various requirements, such as increasing muscle or losing weight. Chen Zhong's abnormal data wasn't something that happened over this holiday but was the culmination since the start of the season.

When Schuster inquired about Chen Zhong's condition, Disalvo hesitated for a while, sending a message: "The player has undergone changes recently, might need some time to adapt, not suitable for playing."

Schuster was discussing the starting lineup for the next match against the Spanish with Francisco!

Upon hearing Disalvo's remark, the two were momentarily stunned, and finally, Francisco sent a message asking whether Chen Zhong's change was good or bad?

Disalvo, however, didn't give a direct answer.

"Damn it," Schuster cursed under his breath, knowing through his channels that Chen Zhong's physique had changed: "For the next match against the Spanish, pair Metzelder with Pepe!"

"And what about Chen?"

"After playing against the Spanish team, aren't we playing the Champions League?"

"Let Chen Zhong play when we face Olympiacos," Schuster said. "Let him play in the defensive midfielder position for this match."

"Damn Robinho, damn Baptista."

Schuster had already tried many players in the defensive midfielder position, even putting Drenthe there for a trial.

Originally, he was quite fond of Diara and Baptista, but Diara couldn't fully meet his requirements, and Baptista went clubbing with Robinho.

Yes, you heard that right. After completing their national team duties, instead of returning to the club immediately, they went clubbing together!!!

"We must punish them!" Schuster said to Francisco, "Robinho and Baptista must be fined!"

"Also, inform Mijatovic."

"I'm very disappointed in Baptista. He can start looking for a new club; isn't his agent Mendes?" Schuster sneered and continued, "I heard he was already in contact with Chelsea and Manchester City last season, and also with Milan and Juventus. Let him help and take Baptista away in the winter transfer window!"

Schuster was thoroughly disappointed with Baptista, even mentally marking his name with a big red cross right now.

With Baptista as a contrast, Schuster became even more fond of Chen Zhong, who organized his own training during the break.

With Pepe and Metzelder recovered from injuries, the central defender position was already saturated, while in midfield, Schuster still hadn't found his preferred defensive midfielder, the man who could be Real Madrid's backbone.

The FIFA virus has always been what clubs hate most, how long players take to recover after national duties, and whether there are any injury risks, are like opening a blind box.

Of course, the FIFA virus is fair and impartial; it affects all elite teams equally.

La Liga, Round 8

Espanyol VS Real Madrid

In the 2nd minute of the match, Espanyol capitalized on a cross to get the ball into the net before Ramos could, taking a temporary 1-0 lead. Schuster was on the sidelines angrily calling out Ramos's name, telling him to get his head in the game.

By the 7th minute, Espanyol used a lob pass into the box, allowing Tamudo to break away from the defenders and take a sharp angle shot. If it hadn't hit the post, they might have breached Real Madrid's goal again.

Real Madrid soon got a great chance, as Van Nistelrooy got the ball in the penalty area, passed it to Raul on the right, but Raul's chip went over the crossbar.

Van Nistelrooy showed a rather splendid expression at Raul, as if saying, "Brother, did you also go to the national team?"

This attack mirrored Real Madrid's lack of form in the offense, and by halftime, it was clear they were not in good shape.

In the 53rd minute of the second half, during a midfield possession by Espanyol, Cannavaro inexplicably rushed up.

Failing to get the ball, he left a big gap behind him. Baldo cleverly sent a through ball, Tamudo turned at the edge of the box, and elegantly chipped over Casillas.

Casillas could only watch helplessly as the ball found the net over the goal line.

2-0, Espanyol expanded their lead.

Finally, in the 90th minute, Ramos scored a header, saving some face for Real Madrid.

The final score was 2:1

Initially, Schuster was very angry, but when Francisco told him that Barcelona had lost, and more miserably than them, with a score of 3:1.

Schuster immediately cooled down.

And hearing that they lost to Villarreal, Schuster was even happier.

"By the way, Cruyff just criticized Messi."

"He thought Messi was too much of a solo hero in this match."

"Cruyff believes Messi shouldn't destroy Barcelona's tradition of attacking as a whole while choosing to go solo."

"Haha." Schuster didn't pick up on this. "It seems Barcelona might be lacking a defensive midfielder now? I really hope Chen Zhong can play well in the next match!"

"I'm already looking forward to their expression when they realize the defensive midfielder they need the most is the very player they've been belittling lately, hahaha."

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