"Why did you suddenly change your approach?"
As they left the café, Brian Kidd couldn't help but voice his confusion about Gao Shen's meeting with Hazard.
He had kept quiet while Hazard and his girlfriend were present, but now that they were alone, he needed answers.
This was his way of understanding the man he would be working under for the next few years.
Gao Shen smiled casually.
They were all new colleagues. Just as Brian Kidd was observing and trying to understand him, he was doing the same in return.
No one could truly know someone at first glance. It took time, constant adjustments, and familiarity built through work and daily interactions. Only then could a real sense of trust and cooperation develop.
This applied not just to Brian Kidd, but to Gao Shen and his entire coaching staff.
According to their original plan, today's meeting was supposed to focus on convincing Hazard to join Manchester City. They would gauge his interest in moving to the Premier League and outline the club's vision for him.
This was how most teams recruited players.
After all, how could a player make such a career-defining decision without understanding the club's plans or the manager's intentions?
Even ordinary people think twice before changing jobs, for a footballer, a transfer was an even bigger decision.
But Gao Shen had completely changed the script.
He didn't ask Hazard anything about joining City. He didn't introduce the club's plans. Instead, he asked him one simple question and then subtly guided the conversation in an entirely different direction.
Brian Kidd was puzzled.
"In reality, we've already done extensive research on the player," Gao Shen explained. "Between our scouts and Lucas' analysis, we already know what kind of person Hazard is, what his personality is like, and whether he fits our requirements. Especially after meeting him in person."
Rumors could be unreliable, but face-to-face interactions rarely lied.
For instance, it was now clear that Hazard was naturally shy and reserved.
It was also obvious that he was deeply attached to his girlfriend.
"Fernando, what do you think?" Gao Shen turned to Lucas.
Lucas glanced at Brian Kidd, smiled knowingly, and then spoke without hesitation.
"His girlfriend just arrived in Lille, and their relationship is strong and stable."
"How do you know that?" Brian Kidd asked in surprise. He looked from Lucas to Gao Shen, who nodded approvingly. Kidd felt like he was missing something.
He had been there for the entire conversation, so how did they pick up on something he hadn't?
"Brian, do you remember when he mentioned he had just rushed over from a real estate agency?"
Brian Kidd frowned. It had seemed like an offhand comment at the time, nothing worth noting.
After all, he had been focused on one thing: getting a verbal commitment from Hazard. He hadn't paid attention to anything else.
"And what's strange about that?" Kidd asked.
"Nothing on its own," Lucas replied. "But it tells us that Hazard is looking to rent or buy a place. Lille's salaries aren't particularly high, so he's probably renting. Hazard is only 18. Lille provides dormitories for young players, yet he chose to move out."
"Then, during the conversation, Gao Shen casually asked if Natasha was still studying. She said she had just graduated."
Lucas smirked. "That gives us all the information we need. Natasha has just graduated and moved to Lille to be with him. Hazard, who previously lived in Lille's player dorms, is now renting a place for the two of them."
"Hazard was the Best Young Player in Ligue 1 last season. He's talented and famous in Lille, there's no shortage of women interested in him. And yet, he's stayed completely loyal to his long-distance girlfriend."
"This tells us that their relationship is exceptionally strong and stable and they might even be considering marriage."
Professional footballers had vastly different approaches to marriage. Some married and had kids as early as 19 or 20, while others stayed single into their 30s or 40s.
There were various reasons for this, making it difficult to generalize.
If Hazard chose to get married early, it wouldn't be surprising at all.
Gao Shen even recalled that, in his previous timeline, Hazard had married around 2010.
After listening to Lucas' analysis, Brian Kidd was genuinely impressed.
This was what elite analysts were capable of.
From just a casual chat from one or two seemingly minor details they had pieced together a complete picture of Hazard's personal life.
This wasn't easy.
"But even if their relationship is strong, how does that relate to your change of approach?" Kidd still didn't understand.
Gao Shen didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked:
"What kind of person do you think Hazard is?"
"He's friendly, shy, and introverted," Kidd replied. "Not very talkative, but easygoing."
"Now think about it. If someone with that personality moves in with the love of his life after years of long-distance struggles, what do you think will happen to his career?"
Brian Kidd was stunned.
He hadn't even considered this.
There's a saying: Pressure creates motivation.
A happy and fulfilling life was a wonderful thing but it could also be dangerous.
If someone lacked career ambition, a happy and comfortable personal life could drain their hunger.
For those without a strong drive, once their life became stable and satisfying, they lost their edge.
And Hazard fit that exact profile.
"Right now, if we push forward with negotiations, I can guarantee that Hazard will join Manchester City," Gao Shen said confidently. "But that's not what I want."
"I don't just want him to sign. I want him to arrive at City with hunger and motivation."
"Motivation?" Kidd echoed, still trying to grasp the full picture.
Since when did managers care about their players' life goals?
Usually, clubs signed players based on ability. If they performed well, great. If not, they were replaced.
"Wait… but you didn't say anything to him about this?" Kidd asked, still confused.
Gao Shen smiled, shaking his head without saying a word.
"Brian, I'm guessing you've never been in love," Lucas teased.
"What?! Who hasn't been in love?" Kidd shot back immediately, offended.
Was this an insult?
Back in his playing days, he had been tall, wealthy, and handsome of course, he had been in relationships!
If all the women who had pursued him lined up, the queue would probably stretch from Manchester to Liverpool.
"Who hasn't been in love?" he repeated indignantly.
"Alright, alright," Lucas chuckled. "Then think back. When you were around 20 years old, full of energy, what was the most irresistible temptation?"
Money? Fame?
Don't be ridiculous.
Young men that age rarely cared about those things.
They thought of money as dirt and paid no attention to power.
Then what was their greatest temptation?
What's truly irresistible is standing in the spotlight, basking in the admiration of the woman you love, seeing the way her eyes shine with undeniable adoration, almost like hero worship.
In that moment, every man feels like Superman in a suit and tie, ready to save the world at any time. The confidence soars, the heart races, and the feeling is intoxicating.
Brian Kidd was already sixty. He had long forgotten what it felt like to be young. After all, the world he grew up in was completely different from today's.
But deep down, he knew Gao Shen and Lucas were right.
No matter the era, no matter the background, young men are all the same.
Brian Kidd wasn't foolish. In fact, the reason he had lasted so long in football was precisely because he was smart—he knew how to read situations and adapt quickly.
Thinking back to the affectionate interactions between Hazard and his girlfriend, remembering the adoring way the girl looked at him, and then considering Hazard's personality and experiences—it all clicked.
Gao Shen had subtly planted three ideas in Hazard's mind.
First, he told him, "You have the talent to be the best player in the world."
That wasn't just a compliment, it was a challenge. It set a clear expectation.
If Hazard wanted to live up to his God-given talent, he had no choice but to aim for the top.
Then, Gao Shen said, "To be the best, you have to work harder than anyone else."
This wasn't just encouragement, it was a reality check. It told Hazard that talent alone wasn't enough. He had to sacrifice, to suffer, to push beyond his limits.
Finally, he asked, "Are you ready?"
This wasn't just motivation, it was provocation.
And the most important part?
He said all of this in front of Hazard's girlfriend.
Which girl wouldn't want her boyfriend to be a legendary hero, admired by millions?
Was it enough to be just a hero in Lille?
Hazard had the potential to be idolized by fans all over the world, to shine on a stage far bigger than this one.
Even if Natasha didn't say it out loud, Hazard could feel it.
And when a man sees that kind of gaze from the woman he loves, he simply can't resist it.
Under these circumstances, Hazard wouldn't just agree to join Manchester City, he would arrive with a burning desire to prove himself.
No matter how intense the training was, no matter how grueling the matches, he would grit his teeth and push through.
Because that was the price he needed to pay to become a legend.
At that moment, Brian Kidd's view of Gao Shen completely changed.
This was true power.
Every word Gao Shen spoke, every action he took—it all carried meaning. Every move was calculated, every decision deliberate.
Now, Brian Kidd finally understood.
Why were the locker rooms of Gao Shen's teams always so harmonious?
Why did his players always fight for him?
Because Gao Shen was on another level.
But as Kidd stared at him in awe, Gao Shen felt genuinely uncomfortable.
Damn it!
Why was a sixty-year-old man looking at him like that?
Who wouldn't be creeped out?
However, Gao Shen truly believed that Hazard's personality, while great for an ordinary person, wasn't enough for a top-level footballer.
Of course, different managers influenced players in different ways.
If Ronaldo had worked with Wenger instead of Ferguson, his career would have been completely different.
That was exactly why Gao Shen wanted to push Hazard to his limits.
Not just today but for as long as they worked together.
…
After leaving Lille, Gao Shen and his team headed north.
It was time to see just how powerful money could be. (T/N: Money do change people hahaha)
***
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