Every time Gao Shen saw Raphael Varane, he always had a strange feeling.

Although only nineteen years old, Varane gave off an air of maturity far beyond his age.

No matter when you saw him, his expression was calm, as if nothing in the world could faze him. His temperament was completely out of sync with his youth.

This made Gao Shen want to stir things up for him, just to see if the kid could stay composed when the sky was falling.

Varane's nickname was "the academic," and in truth, he really was.

In high school, his academic performance was excellent, always ranking near the top of his class. He spoke several languages, took the French college entrance exam, and went on to major in economics with a minor in German sociology at university.

His original plan was to play football while continuing his studies, but later he realised it was impossible. His girlfriend was now studying law at the University of Paris.

The well-known story of him hanging up on Zidane happened when he was preparing for his college entrance exams.

With such academic credentials, he was easily among the most educated players in professional football.

This also gave Varane a different temperament from most professional players. He was graceful and composed, and his defending carried a certain neatness, almost a clean freak's approach. He rarely made unnecessary contact and avoided committing fouls whenever possible.

In the Real Madrid dressing room, he was always the quietest, rarely taking part in discussions or arguments.

While that might seem like good temperament and character, on the pitch it was not enough.

The pitch is a battlefield where you fight to the last breath. If you treat your opponents with courtesy and insist on "clean" defending, you are only fooling yourself.

Incidentally, Manchester City's Giroud had also taken the college entrance exam and was considered a top student.

And Leeds United's Kondogbia had played alongside Varane in the Lens youth team, so they knew each other.

Because of these connections, coupled with Zidane's strong recommendation and Gao Shen's impression from his previous life, Gao Shen had high hopes for Varane. But he knew he could not allow Varane to develop as slowly as he had in that previous life.

Especially now, with Ramos and Pepe being unreliable, Real Madrid needed a brave young defender to step up, put pressure on those two troublemakers, and force them to restrain themselves.

So Gao Shen set his sights on Varane.

What? He didn't like to fight?

That was fine. There were plenty of ways to make him fight.

Painting big dreams, stirring up ambition, and fostering internal competition were all skills Gao Shen knew well.

…

Varane sat opposite Gao Shen, looking at his head coach with confusion.

Why wasn't he saying anything?

But a scholar remains calm.

If Gao Shen didn't speak, Varane wouldn't either. They sat in silence.

Finally, Gao Shen spoke.

"Valdano's technical team is studying the formation plan for this summer."

Varane was surprised. That was top-secret information.

Why was he being told this now?

Gao Shen watched his eyes carefully, amused.

This was the advantage of being in a position of authority. Parents, teachers, and leaders all knew how to wield it over children, students, and subordinates.

"Our defence isn't great. The starting lineup is fine, but the bench lacks depth. There could be major changes this summer."

Lack of depth? Possible? Major changes?

As a top student, Varane immediately caught the key points. His attention locked on the first and last, and the middle "possible" was automatically ignored.

People's first instinct is always to think of the worst outcome.

"Zidane rates you highly. He recommended you to me and asked me to give you more chances. But Albiol is a local international with status, so the technical team has a headache."

"In addition, they are seriously considering bringing in another strong defender to replace Carvalho."

When Mourinho was in charge, he was unhappy with the defence, mainly because he felt Ramos and Pepe were too reckless. So he signed the steadier veteran Carvalho.

That meant fewer opportunities for Varane and Albiol.

After Gao Shen arrived, he sold Carvalho and gave them more game time.

If Real Madrid were looking to sign another centre-back now, that would be returning to Mourinho's approach — and perfectly normal.

Varane said nothing. He knew he was still young.

If he were at Lens in Ligue 1, he would already be a first-team regular. But at Real Madrid, not yet twenty, breaking into the starting XI was difficult.

Because this was Real Madrid.

The most competitive team in the world.

"They've wanted to bring someone in since the winter break, but I've stopped them because I prefer to give chances to the players we already have. But honestly, I want you to perform better, to convince me and the technical team that you can be our reliable third centre-back."

Varane nodded.

"I understand, Boss. I'll do my best."

The tone was calm, without urgency.

Gao Shen knew he was smart and wouldn't be swayed so easily.

But he had a trump card ready.

"I heard you were teammates with Koulibaly from Leeds United?" Gao Shen asked casually.

Varane was momentarily stunned.

Koulibaly, who had dual French and Senegalese nationality, had always played for France's youth teams. He was older than Varane and joined the youth sides earlier. In the current French U20s preparing for the World Youth Championship in Turkey, Koulibaly, Kurzawa, Pogba, and Kondogbia were all starters.

Varane, two years younger, had only been selected once for the U20s and played a single match. After joining Real Madrid, he skipped the U20s and went straight to the U21s.

Among the most talked-about young French defenders now, Koulibaly and Varane topped the list.

With Deschamps promoting youth, players like PSG's Mamadou Sakho had already been called up. The current main pair were Koscielny of Arsenal and Rami of Valencia.

One centre-back spot was up for grabs, with competition from Koulibaly, Tottenham's Kaboul, AC Milan's Mexes, and others.

"Yes, I trained with him for a while in the French youth team."

After a pause, Varane asked, "Boss, why are you asking about him?"

Inside, Gao Shen laughed. He'd found the weakness.

"The technical team is monitoring him. You know I own Leeds United, so it's not easy for me to say much."

He sighed. "Leeds are finally having a good season, but now lots of clubs want to poach their players. Other teams are fine, but if Real Madrid really want Koulibaly, I can't refuse, can I?"

Varane froze.

Was Real Madrid after Koulibaly?

He'd heard the rumour before. Real Madrid had shown interest in several Leeds players. Zidane had even called Pogba the best of the young midfielders.

If Koulibaly came, wouldn't Varane lose his biggest advantage, his platform?

Sometimes, what drives people to work hardest isn't the carrot ahead, but the fear behind.

No matter how calm or rational someone is, they don't want to lose what they already have.

That fear makes them fight.

"Of course I believe in you, Raphael. I want you to perform better so I can speak for you to the technical team. But right now…" Gao Shen shrugged helplessly.

Varane understood his real message.

Yes, they had a shared interest in this.

"I understand, Boss. Don't worry. I know what to do."

"Keep working hard, I'm counting on you," Gao Shen encouraged.

Varane nodded, stood, and turned to leave.

"By the way, Raphael," Gao Shen called after him.

Varane turned back.

"Go to Carlos and get the info on Messi and Aguero. Study them carefully. Against Barcelona, don't embarrass me," Gao Shen said seriously, as if it took great resolve to say it.

Varane sensed the weight behind the words and nodded firmly.

He was a smart man. He knew exactly what Gao Shen meant and understood his own situation.

Only after the door closed did Gao Shen chuckle, smiling wryly and shaking his head.

It felt like being back in his past life, tricking new hires in the office. Back then, he'd been an utterly shameless boss.

He hadn't expected that as a head coach, he'd keep going back to those old tricks.

But Varane was truly talented — quick, skilful, and composed. If such a player didn't push himself to improve now, would they just watch him waste his potential?

Young players must grow under pressure.

Varane was too comfortable. He needed a push.

More importantly, if Varane played well, Ramos and Pepe would feel the heat, and those two rogues would have to rein themselves in.

At the very least, they'd control themselves better on the pitch.

Only then would Real Madrid's defence truly be stable.

(To be continued.)