After the match against Hamburg, the team was given a day off.
Ye Chen initially planned to train at the club, but Klopp stopped him and told him to stay home because someone important wanted to meet him!
At 10 a.m., Klopp showed up at Ye Chen's house with Adidas' CEO and Löw.
This surprised Ye Chen quite a bit!
Löw was undoubtedly a big deal.
Since July 12, 2006, Löw had been the head coach of the German national team.
When he first took charge, Löw led the team to impressive results. At the 2008 European Championship, despite having an incomplete squad, he guided Germany to the final, although they narrowly lost to Spain, finishing as runners-up.
At the 2010 World Cup, under the grief of Enke's passing and the severe injury of captain Ballack, Germany started modestly. Löw's team once again fell to the dominant Spanish side, but reaching the semi-finals was still considered a success.
Spain claimed victory in both tournaments.
On June 10, 2012, Germany was set to face Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, in their opening match of the European Championship.
Germany was widely regarded as a top contender, seemingly without any weaknesses.
However, only Löw knew that they were still missing a game-changer.
If they faced Spain again, escaping elimination would be tough.
Löw wanted to prevent this, leading to a new policy with the higher-ups... The "Genius Recruitment Plan."
Löw was determined to bring Ye Chen on board.
Klopp began the introductions. "Ye, let me introduce youâthis is Löw, head coach of the German national team. He's been leading the team for six years now."
Ye Chen smiled and extended his hand. "Hello, Coach Löw!"
Löw, still youthful, had thick black hairâtruly a dashing man.
Aside from his quirky habit of picking his nose, there didn't seem to be any flaws...
"Ye, I've watched more than a dozen of your matches. Every single one can only be described as unbelievable! You're incredible!" Löw immediately showered him with praise.
"Thank you!" Ye Chen's smile grew wider.
Everyone enjoys compliments, especially from someone as prestigious as Löw.
"Let's get straight to the point," Klopp interjected. "Ye, you probably know why we're here, right?"
Ye Chen nodded. "Of course!"
"Would you be willing to join Germany as your second nationality?" Löw's expression turned serious.
Ye Chen nodded again. "I've thought about it, but I do have concerns."
Seeing Ye Chen's nod, the three visitors smiled.
As long as he was open to the idea, the rest could be handled.
Ye Chen had already given this serious thought when he learned that in this parallel world, China allowed dual citizenship.
One person's strength is limited.
If you were an official in the football association, would you overhaul the entire system based on the words of a 17-year-old kid?
Unless you wield tremendous influence.
Did Ye Chen have that?
Not yet.
So, he felt it was time to stop dreaming and start building his influence as soon as possible.
What was his ultimate vision?
To inspire more Chinese kids to love football, choose it as a career, and eventually make it to the professional stage through his decade or two of effort.
His dream was to retire and coach China's national team, leading young talents to the World Cup!
Of course, there was another way for China to reach the World Cup... by hosting it.
Few people knew why China appeared in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.
The key reason was Japan giving up one qualifying spot.
Additionally, the draw was favorable, allowing China to avoid Iran and Saudi Arabia.
But most importantly, China's national team was among Asia's top teams at the time!
In the qualifiers, China secured six wins, one draw, and one lossâdominating the group!
If today's Chinese team played in those qualifiers, they'd likely get crushed.
"What are your concerns? Feel free to speak," the Adidas CEO said enthusiastically. "If you're willing to join Germany, Adidas will offer you a lifetime contract and set up an elite brand team exclusively for you!"
"Thank you!" Ye Chen replied politely. "First, I don't know how to sing the German national anthem."
Löw nodded. "That's fineâPodolski didn't either! Just pretend during the anthem ceremony. Is that okay?"
Not only Podolski, but even Klose was originally from Poland.
"Of course!"
"Second, regardless of the occasion, I will always identify as Chinese, not German. However, I won't do anything harmful to Germanyâmutual respect is essential."
Löw pondered this. "Agreed."
Though dual citizenship was possible, Ye Chen's heart remained loyal to China.
These were his two basic conditions.
Löw fell silent.
"Ye, I know you love your country deeply," Löw said seriously. "FIFA actually has a little-known rule that allows players under 21 to switch national teams once. If you wish to play for China before turning 21, you can apply to FIFA to change your allegiance. However, this can only be done once in your lifetimeâafter switching, it cannot be undone."
Ye Chen's eyes widened. "Really? I've never heard of this rule!"
"It's a special FIFA clause for U21 players. It's rarely used, so not many people know about it."
Ye Chen was 17. This year was the 2012 Euros, and by the 2014 World Cup, he'd still be only 19...
This rule felt tailor-made for him.
Would he return to China before 21, though?
Given the current trajectory, Chinese football wasn't improving...
Everyone wanted results, but no one wanted to plant the seeds.
Even football fields were repurposed for square dancing and frisbee...
Could Chinese football thrive in such conditions?
Well, the future could hold surprises...
Ye Chen believed China wasn't incapable of excelling in footballâit just hadn't committed yet.
Ye Chen nodded seriously. "Those are my only two conditions."
"No problem!" Löw slapped the table. "Welcome to the German national team!"
"Thank you!" Ye Chen smiled brightly.
It seemed he'd caught the last train to the 2012 Euros and the 2014 World Cup...
After all, China was the first team in the world to start preparing for the 2018 World Cup!