Chapter 48 Good cards

Rafael's recent form is indeed very bad, but there is not no reason. In fact, the entire Barcelona coaching staff knows why the Brazilian, who contributed 9 assists to the team last season, has a problem with his condition.

The reason is very simple, Raphael... becomes fat!

During the one and a half months holiday, Raphael's weight gained ten kilograms, and the others just saw his face round again, but the Barcelona coaching staff knew very well how much fat the Brazilian star's body had increased. Obviously, Raphael was squandering his physical capital during this holiday.

Think about what Shaq, who is already the "King of Ball", did this summer. He returned to the team two weeks earlier than others to start training. His body "awakened" earlier than others, and now he has reached his best condition.

Comparing the two, each member of the Barcelona coaching staff sighed that if there is any player in this world who should be the most successful, it is obviously Shaq.

Raphael's problem has not been made public, but Simon Grayson specially found the Brazilian and said straight to the point with a serious look: "Raphael, your weight has increased by ten kilograms this holiday. At present, your condition is no longer suitable for playing for the team as a main player. I don't know... what you think?"

Facing Simon Grayson, Raphael was silent. Last season was the most successful season of his career. He followed Barcelona as the main right-back to fight, helping the team win the La Liga championship, the King's Cup, and the Champions League trophy with an unbeaten record, becoming the "triple-champion". He is indeed the team's hero and was selected for the best team in La Liga and the best team in the Champions League. In the right-back position, Raphael was the best in Europe last season.

The whole summer afterwards, Raphael did not wake up from the joy of success. He spent a crazy holiday with his brother Fabio in his hometown in Brazil. Alcohol, women, and parties became the main theme of the holiday, and all kinds of habits that were not beneficial to his football career appeared.

Raphael didn't think anything at all, but when he faced Simon Grayson, he suddenly realized that he was wrong. He seemed to...failed the head coach's trust in him!

When he was at Manchester United, Simon Grayson was not optimistic about Raphael at that time. He even sold him himself. However, when we met again at Barcelona last season, the mature Raphael had really grown into an excellent right-back, which made Simon Grayson promise to play the main player. Last season, Simon Grayson also did this, and Raphael also rewarded his head coach with his outstanding performance.

But now... Raphael suddenly regrets it. He regrets it for his unbridled carnival during the holidays.

After a moment of silence, Raphael said: "Boss, I think... my current state is indeed not suitable for playing the main force anymore, so I have no complaints at all when you put me on the bench. I just hope... I just hope that when my state recovers, please give me another chance."

Raphael's attitude was very sincere, and there was no problem at all. Simon Grayson was also surprised. At first, their coaching staff thought that this was a common problem that Raphael also had the Brazilian players' complacency. Even the team had made plans. If Raphael did not know how to repent, then give up on him directly. Gonzaro's performance in training has always been excellent and was in good shape in the game. Another excellent product produced by the Lamacia youth training camp has been finalized.

But now it seems... it is really necessary to give Raphael a chance!

Nodding, Simon Grayson said: "Raphael, it's great that you can understand this. After all, you are a professional player. The profession we are engaged in is professional football, so many times we can't act emotionally. Your condition is very poor now. I hope you can adjust. Before that... you should sit on the bench first! Just like the promise I gave you last year. This time I will leave you a chance. When your condition recovers, you can compete with Gonzaro. I think... Haha, your experience is so rich, you will know how to win in the competition. Gonzaro's young boys still need to learn from you!"

Simon Grayson's words made Raphael laugh. He could see that his competitors were indeed extremely talented. Maybe he would not be able to compete with them in two or three years, but now... his experience is definitely incomparable to Gonzaro.

Seeing Raphael leaving happily, Simon Grayson smiled bitterly and shook his head helplessly. Things... are not that simple!

Gonzaro's talent is seen by himself. This right-back is completely seamlessly integrated into the team. Barcelona's traditional tactics are fully reflected in him. When he is in the right-back position, Gonzaro does not rush up blindly. Many times, seeing the opportunity ahead is not very good, he will choose to pass the ball horizontally and pass back. This kind of calmness on the court is very rare. Even in his peak state, Raphael may not be able to play a better role than Gonzaro on the court. Now... that's even more difficult!

Immediately afterwards, Simon Grayson remembered the 15-year-old Chinese boy Chen in the team. This kid, although he was not old, had amazing potential. He was fine with good physical fitness, and was particularly outstanding in teamwork and other aspects. He was also very fierce when defending, with a bit of the characteristics of Barcelona's legend Puyol. In another two or three years, he would definitely grow to an amazing level. It is precisely because of Chen Jinlong that Simon Grayson did not find Raphael in poor condition. Otherwise, considering that Barcelona has many, many games to play this season, he would have looked for new players from the transfer market early in the morning.

At the end of August, Barcelona went to Frankie Stadium in Florence, Italy to play the European Super Cup with the Gunners Arsenal. With the help of Shaq scored 1 goal and 2 assists, he defeated Arsenal 4:1, winning the first championship trophy of the season and becoming the "four champion"!

Back in Spain, Barcelona is in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup with Valencia, and this time they will fight Valencia in a row and have played in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup. Next is the second round of the league with Valencia, and they are still playing away.

In this game, Simon Grayson made a major adjustment to the team, which gave some players a chance to take a turn. After all, with a 9-0 victory in the first round, Barcelona really played whatever they wanted. Even Du Xiaoguang and Gimenes joined forces to replace the combination of Batista and Rivero. In addition, Crisito, who served as left back, Chen Jinlong, right back, and Barcelona's entire back line were replaced.

Anyway, even if you lose the game, you will definitely win the Super Cup, but in that way, Simon Grayson will end the 63 unbeaten record set by Barcelona.

Simon Grayson fully trusted his players, and the players did not disappoint him. They defeated their opponents 1-0 away. The only goal in the game was not scored by Barcelona players, but another own goal given by the opponent. In the two-round Super Cup confrontation, Valencia gave away an own gift every game. The team's defense line is really a problem.

Valencia's problem is Valencia's problem, and it has nothing to do with Barcelona. "Brutal Simon" brought his disciples to Barcelona with the Spanish Super Cup. The whole city was once again excited. They have become the "five champions" and are only one step away from the great achievements of Guardiola's "six champions". If we consider the team's record, it is obvious that this Barcelona team is even better now. After all, they have never lost since the arrival of Simon Grayson.

The last time Barcelona lost the Barcelona derby away on April 14, 2018, it has been a year and a half since. The Catalans have really forgotten what it feels like to fail.

In the eyes of competitors, the most terrifying thing about "brutal Simon" lies in this. The team he coached is always difficult to defeat. Five years ago, his first season in coaching Manchester United was just to lose to Manchester City away after ensuring the Premier League championship. In the second season, he only lost two games, lost 2:3 away to Juventus, and 1:3 away to Leeds United. After that, he coached the "Three Lions" for two years, and only lost 1:2 to France in the Federation Cup, but in the final, he won the French team 4:1 and won the Federation Cup championship.

In general, "Brutal Simon" has now become the champion coach with the highest winning rate in the world football world. In the more than 400 games he coached in his coaching career, he has a winning rate of 87%, and the chance of losing is only 7%, and the remaining 6% is a draw.

Now, Simon Grayson, who holds a good hand in his hand, is even harder to defeat. Barcelona's lineup is already very strong. Recently, the "brutal Simon" actually discovered two young Chinese boys from the Lamacia youth training camp. Although one of these two little guys is sixteen years old and the other is just over sixteen years old, his performance on the court is quite outstanding. Du Xiaoguang's calmness, Chen Jinlong's impact and excellent interception ability on the right indicate that Barcelona seems to be getting a big harvest again.

Vasquis, Gonzaro, Du Xiaoguang, and Chen Jinlong, these four players from Lamacia's youth training camp. The oldest Vasquis is only 23 years old, but has become the main force of the Spanish national team. The 20-year-old Gonzaro performed amazingly at the beginning of the first team this season. In addition, Du Xiaoguang, Chen Jinlong and Lamacia's youth training camps are indeed worthy of the name of "West Point Military Academy" in football.
Chapter completed!