When asked about Kompany, Tang Long was generous with his praise, claiming that Kompany is the anchor of Manchester City’s defense.
"Ranocchia often tells me," here Tang Long made up a bit, "that partnering with Kompany is the most wonderful thing for him as a center-back; he doesn’t have to worry about the solidity of the defense and can boldly push forward—something he couldn’t do in Serie A."
The reporter then asked, "How do you rate Milner’s performance?"
A few scattered laughs erupted at the scene.
Pellegrini, who had been smiling all along, suddenly looked somber.
The press officer next to him saw the coach’s change of face and simply skipped, "next question, please!"
However, the reporter from the Manchester Evening News was reluctant to take the microphone back and insisted that Tang Long answer the question.
It got interesting now.
The other reporters looked at Tang Long with great interest, eager to hear his answer.
Everyone knows that when Tang Long arrived at Manchester City, he directly challenged Milner’s spot.
During the opening match of the Premier League, when Milner was substituted after 60-something minutes, he actually didn’t high-five Tang Long, who replaced him, just walked back to the bench by himself.
How could the rumor-hunting British Media miss such a detail?
In the second-round match returning home, Milner made a major mistake, and everyone seized the opportunity to see what Tang Long would say.
They were eager to get some sensational words from the mouth of this 18-year-old player.
Tang Long was well-prepared for this question.
"Milner is an excellent midfielder; all players who can serve Manchester City are top-tier. He has a strong desire to win. Unfortunately, if only Sterling had scored, Milner could have had an assist; it’s truly a pity."
The reporters pondered, idly penning away on their laptop keyboards, conveying the latest post-match reports.
Pellegrini, next to him, squinted slightly, glanced at Tang Long, and thought: "With two sentences, he extricated himself, involved Sterling, and pushed Milner forward, turning his conflict with Milner into a conflict between Milner and Sterling. This tactic of conflict transfer is quite something. Although the boy is not yet 20, the subtlety of his mind is unexpectedly impressive."
This week in the Premier League, the big clubs all won.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool all took three points.
Manchester United is temporarily first due to goal difference.
Manchester United won 1-0 against Stoke City away, with Icardi scoring a precious goal in the 78th minute of the second half—almost a clincher!
And who assisted him? None other than Manchester United’s backup option, De Bruyne, pursued to no avail instead of Tang Long!
His through ball, after dribbling past two players, was just like a mother feeding her child—it was fed right to Icardi’s mouth.
In the post-match mixed-zone interview, De Bruyne, like Tang Long, was asked a sharp question, but his was even more pointed, leaving no room for maneuver.
"Kevin, you and Tang, one was last season’s best midfielder in Serie A, the other in the Bundesliga. If at the end of this season, only one of you can be selected as the Best Midfielder in the Premier League, who do you think it will be? It can’t be both; you must choose one or the other!"
De Bruyne’s expression dropped—damn British Media, I’ve just come to the Premier League, and you’re already digging a hole for me, forcing me to jump in, really insidious!
His face slightly flushed, he prepared to turn his head and leave without a word.
But who knew, Icardi passing through the mixed-zone hugged him, and then said to the camera:
"It must be De Bruyne. Tang is indeed an excellent player, but he’s not as good as the current De Bruyne."
"Oh, why do you say that?" The reporters finally caught a big fish, rubbing their hands excitedly.
"De Bruyne is the kind who can create miracle routes; his football thinking is completely in sync with mine. Although we’ve only collaborated in two official matches, we have the kind of tacit understanding as if we’ve played together for ten years. The variation and precision of Tang’s passing routes are not as good as my teammate De Bruyne. I’ve played with the two of them, and that is my real feeling!"
(There’s one more Chapter being written, trying to publish before 12, latest by 1.)