59: Chapter 59: Leicester City scores a goal and an assist in their Premier League debut! Pochettino begins to envision his four-pronged attack.

The 59th minute.

Yu Bai received the ball on the left flank again, facing the one-on-one defense of his old rival, Francis.

Perhaps it was because his Stamina had truly hit a bottleneck, or perhaps Francis was holding onto a surge of energy to redeem himself, but Yu Bai's attempt at an inside-cut feint was seen through, and the ball was cleanly intercepted by Francis.

It was an ordinary, successful defensive play.

But on the sidelines, Claudio Ranieri didn't hesitate for even a second. He immediately turned around and shouted to Joe Dodoo, who was warming up, "Joe! Get on the pitch!"

Then, he had his assistant coach submit the substitution list to the fourth official.

The electronic board lit up: No. 52 Yu Bai off, No. 36 Dodoo on.

In Claudio Ranieri's view, could Francis really defend against the in-form Yu Bai in a one-on-one? The only explanation was: Yu Bai was tired.

His task had already been over-fulfilled, and there was no need for him to push himself when his Stamina was dropping and the risk of injury was increasing.

When Yu Bai saw the substitution board and slowly walked toward the sideline, the entire Leicester City fanbase in that small blue section of the Vitality Stadium's away stand spontaneously stood up. They offered long, thunderous applause to their 17-year-old new signing who had delivered a dream performance with a goal and an assist on his debut!

"Yu! Bai!"

"Yu! Bai!"

The applause and cheers were the best accolades for his performance in this match.

Claudio Ranieri was waiting early on the sidelines, with an undisguised smile of appreciation on his face.

As soon as Yu Bai walked off the pitch, the veteran manager gave him a firm hug, patted his back vigorously, and said loudly in his ear, "Well done, kid! Unrivaled! Go get some rest!"

Yu Bai also hugged back tightly the manager who had given him infinite trust; he was on cloud nine.

He walked to the bench, high-fiving and shaking hands with every teammate, coaching staff member, and team official who stood up, his face beaming with a pure and brilliant smile, before finally putting on his jacket and sitting down.

Anyone who has played football knows how happy and important it is to play for a team where the manager appreciates you, your teammates support you, and the fans love you.

At this moment, Yu Bai was surrounded by this immense sense of happiness and belonging.

...

CCTV Sports Channel studio.

Commentator Duan Xuan's voice was full of passion: "Without a doubt, the biggest focus and the brightest star of this match is Yu Bai!"

"A goal and an assist, orchestrating the lead! In the Premier League, in such a difficult away game, to deliver such a result as a starter, what more could we ask for?"

Commentator Duan Xuan said with emotion, "From the Hat-trick in the League Cup to a goal and an assist on his Premier League debut, Yu Bai has completely conquered the Leicester City fans in just two matches, and has also announced to the whole world: A dazzling new star from Asia is rising on the stage of the Premier League!"

Commentator Zhang Lu's signature "Hehe" laugh rang out, and he added, "Hehe, that's right. And we have to praise his football IQ and mentality."

"Look at his goal, from participating in the counter-attack launch from the backfield, to his forward run, then the two consecutive feints in the penalty area to shake off the defense, and finally the calm curling shot into the far corner... This brain, this calmness, it doesn't look like a 17-year-old kid at all."

"And that over-the-top pass to assist Kante, the Vision, the technique, tsk tsk... 'Yus Curve', starting today, is going to be a subject that Premier League defenders need to study closely!"

"What's even more rare is his celebration," Commentator Duan Xuan laughed, "That 'phone call' gesture, confident, dashing, and with a touch of youthful playfulness."

"This is a powerful psychological signal: I came, I saw, I conquered."

"The road ahead is still long, but Yu Bai has already taken the most solid and magnificent first step!"

[CCTV showing respect! This praise is making me blush! (Feeling honored)]

["Yus Curve" actually a thing? Officially certified!]

[Xiao Bai: Just basic operations, don't hype it up, everyone sit down!]

...

London, Mauricio Pochettino's home.

The match had ended, but the young Argentine manager was still sitting in front of the TV, not changing the channel, just watching the highlight reel of Yu Bai playing on the screen.

His fingers were tapping lightly on his knees unconsciously, his eyes deep, and his mind had already begun to involuntarily and rapidly construct images.

The news of Son Heung-min joining Tottenham was just officially announced yesterday. Daniel and Mitchell moved quickly, and this £22 million deal was already set in stone. The Korean forward was about to arrive, and he was originally the answer for the left flank in his plan.

But now... in his mind, he couldn't help but imagine another attacking combination: Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Son Heung-min, Yu Bai...

Once this thought emerged, it grew wildly like weeds.

Kane's playmaking, Alli's forward runs, Son Heung-min's inside-cutting Shooting, and Yu Bai's explosive breakthroughs and final passes or shots... the attacking methods would become extremely rich, three-dimensional, and impossible to defend against.

"A one-year loan..." Mauricio Pochettino repeated the phrase in a low voice, his eyes flickering.

A year later, when Yu Bai returns, having been tempered by a full season in the Premier League, to what extent will he have grown?

If he can stay healthy and continue to improve...

"Perhaps... Daniel's 'loan first, glory later' strategy isn't entirely wrong?"

He muttered to himself, his tone complex.

He had originally voted for Son Heung-min, but now he was beginning to look forward immensely to Yu Bai's return in a year.

He had even started to think about how to balance the playing time of Son Heung-min and Yu Bai when the time comes, and how to design tactics that would allow the two to coexist... The law of "True Fragrance" (eating one's own words), though late, always arrives.