As a fan of the Premier League, it's hard not to know Shinji Okazaki.
After all, this guy won the Premier League title with Leicester Cityâand as a key player for the team!
Everyone knows how strong Jamie Vardy is, but Okazaki's role as a second striker cannot be overlooked.
He's the hard-working type of forwardâsimple in style, team-oriented, with endless stamina to support both offense and defense. His defensive skills are top-notch, and he's excellent at making late runs into the box with a great sense of positioning.
Even Claudio Ranieri held him in high regard.
Okazaki was the third Japanese player, after Park Ji-sung and Shinji Kagawa, to win the Premier Leagueâa notable figure in Japan's football history.
But what made him truly famous was something elseâwhen he visited fellow national teammate Takashi Inui's home, he actually commented that Inui's wife seemed more well-endowed!
Inui himself shared this story, calling Okazaki the "most shameless" teammate he had.
Despite later achieving what many Asian players dream of and becoming Japan's top scorer in the Premier League, Okazaki's playing style was vastly different from Ye Chen's.
Forwards come in many typesâcomplete strikers, poachers, technical players, speedsters, target men, and second strikers.
There are even false nines in Guardiola's formations.
A second striker like Okazaki comparing goal stats with Ye Chen, a front-running poacher? That's just unfair!
More importantly, Okazaki was also Ye Chen's opponent.
As Ye Chen put itâOkazaki simply wasn't on his level.
Not just anyone could challenge him!
Shinji Kagawa looked at Ye Chen and suddenly laughed. "No wonder you're Asia's most talented playerâOkazaki really can't compare to you."
Ye Chen was surprised. "I just criticized your national teammate. Aren't you upset?"
"What's there to be upset about? Okazaki is good, but he's only great in Asia. In the Bundesliga, or on the world stage, he's average. But youâyou have the chance to become a world-class striker. I'd rather focus on training and improving together than waste time getting angry," Kagawa said earnestly. After a pause, he added, "Still, I think you should play against himâlet him see the gap between you two."
"Hm?"
"We had a farewell party for Makino recently, and Okazaki was quite disrespectful toward you. I defended you, and he called me a traitor. I was just being honest."
"What did you say?" Ye Chen asked curiously.
"I said your talent is world-class, and that you're good enough to be a starter in the Bundesliga. Okazaki scoffed, saying you're just a cup-match substitute." Kagawa said seriously.
Turns out, Kagawa was quite straightforwardâdefinitely someone worth befriending.
Honestly, if it were Ye Chen at that party, he might have casually said Kagawa wasn't as good as Hao Junmin just to keep things light.
Like when Shao Jiayi once said in an interview, "Zhang Xizhe isn't as physically gifted as De Bruyne, but he's faster and technically better, in my opinion."
Yet Kagawa stood by Ye Chenâit was a bit touching.
Ye Chen sighed. "He's not wrong. In key matches, the coach still trusts Lewandowski more. I'm working hard to earn my place."
"It's only a matter of time before you're a starter," Kagawa said sincerely. "By the way, this incident blew up online. You might want to check it out."
"It's online now?" Ye Chen frowned.
Coaches have long-term plans, looking at a month or two aheadânot just one match.
When Klopp started Ye Chen in the German Cup, Ye Chen knew he wouldn't start against Stuttgartâthe matches were too close together.
Klopp wasn't aware that Ye Chen's stamina rating was 88, with remarkable recovery ability.
Even though the fitness coach reported on players' conditions, Klopp didn't plan to change his lineup.
Ye Chen and Lewandowski were different players.
Lewandowski could act as a focal point up front, while Ye Chen relied more on speed to break defenses.
Physically, he was still too lean.
Building physical strength takes persistent training and natural growth.
That's why players peak around 23âwhen their bodies fully mature.
But many decline after 30 because their physical abilities deteriorate.
Ye Chen planned to play until at least 35. At 19, he was already managing his diet and training.
He admired Cristiano Ronaldo the most.
Who would've thought a 37-year-old could score 24 goals in the Premier League?
Of course, that was in a parallel world. In this worldâwith Ye Chenâthings were bound to be different.
Ballon d'Or? It wouldn't just be Messi and Ronaldo dominating anymore!
Ye Chen picked up his phone and quickly found the interview.
As he watched, his expression subtly shifted.
This guy... telling the blunt truth?
When it came to the Chinese national team, there really wasn't anyone great.
But just because the national team struggled didn't mean Chinese players couldn't shine.
At the end of the day, everything would be settled on the pitch.
"Shinji Okazaki, huh? I'll make you regret it," Ye Chen muttered, turning off his phone and resuming training.
Okazaki was just another obstacle on Ye Chen's road to success.
His real rivals were far beyond Okazaki's level.
October 29, 2:30 PM.
Dortmund's team bus arrived at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
As the players stepped off, waiting fans cheered their names.
Players signed autographs and took photos with them.
Ye Chen liked this atmosphereâplayers didn't seem distant or superior.
He also noticed a rise in female fans.
Ah, the curse of charm...
Hopefully, no one would think he relied on his looks when he became successful.
During warm-ups, all playersâstarters and substitutesâtook to the field.
Substitutes kept it light, while starters prepared seriously.
Stuttgart players warmed up on their side.
Suddenly, a ball from Stuttgart's half flew toward Ye Chen as he jogged.
He narrowly dodged it.
"Too bad, I missed," Okazaki grinned.
Ye Chen narrowed his eyes. "Oh, you think I'm Hello Kitty or something?"
Boom!
Ye Chen's foot snapped forward, sending the ball rocketing back.