Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 161



Only Krnovel

Episode 161 Big Match (1)

The A-match period, which took place in the third and fourth weeks of June, was conducted with more time given as it was the off-season.

In fact, the first call-up date was set five days before the evaluation match against Brazil, so the national team coaching staff was able to assess the players’ condition and refine their tactical capabilities.

Although the newly recruited players, such as Baek Seong-ho and Eom Won-seon, were carefully watched, the one who ended up being mentioned the most was Seong Ha-neul.

“… … Are you doing so well today?”

“Hmm, that’s right. It’s a bit harsh.”

“What the hell is that. It destroys everything, whether it’s the side or the center.”

“That’s a bit harsh.”

“Oh my. Anyway, I heard you were deployed as an attacking midfielder at the end of the season. Has he grown since then? I put him on the right side like before, but his movements are completely different.”

Korean coach Jin-Tae Cha doesn’t hide his admiration.

Too-woong!

Practice field inside the Paju NFC Training Center.

The national team players are divided into two teams and playing for the second day. Although there is no large scoreboard like in an actual stadium, everyone is aware of the score difference.

The current score was 3 to 1, with the orange vests leading by a large margin, but the difference in skill was particularly noticeable, as was the score difference.

[Seongho, in front!]

[Press harder!! Space keeps opening up!]

And at the center of it all is the Holy Sky.

The boy, who had regained his normal physical condition without even realizing it after resting for about a month, is now taking on the role of right-wing attacker and destroying the field.

It was the same even then.

Talk.

Right edge of the box.

Seong Ha-neul stops the ball rolling in from the center of the second line with a delicate touch, and then immediately mixes in an upper body feint.

Following a movement that seemed to be trying to enter the center, he turned his body towards the sideline for a moment.

Shudder.

At this moment, Hong Gwang, who is one of the best wing defenders in the K-League and has a wealth of experience with the national team, reacted.

Once again, gently turning my body and slipping out to the center… … bang! Only then does I take the second touch of the ball with the top of my right foot.

“Did you see that? I didn’t touch the ball once while I was painting. I just shook it off with my upper body movement. Hong Gwang didn’t even notice and it seems like he got hit, but he’s really upset.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Isn’t that all you can say?

“No, then what else do you want to say?”

Near the bench, a conversation unfolds between Coach Cha Jin-tae and the staff, but the Orange Team’s attack unfolds quickly.

[… … .]

[… … .]

Instead of the defensive leader giving instructions, the players would silently check each other’s positions, while the attackers would look for space and create passing routes.

Forward Cho Young-guk pointed to his feet with his back to the central defender, left-wing attacker Yang Hyeon-joong also closed the distance, and attacking midfielder Jeong Woo-kyung was advancing from the slightly behind back.

In addition, the defensive side temporarily puts pressure on the central space with the help of the midfielders.

The moment of choice.

Boom!!

The boy kicks the bottom of the ball without delay.

It was a lob pass that was lifted with a counter-spin, taking advantage of the space available to take a couple more steps forward with an individual dribble.

Chorus.

And just then, a round ball starts from the right side of the box and goes over the head of striker Cho Young-guk.

The opposing team’s central defender, Kim Min-jae, was no different. Even with his height of 190 cm, he was at an exquisite height that could not be blocked, so there was no way to deal with him.

Within, he reached the edge of the left-hand side of the box. He dropped into the feet of the Orange Team’s left-hand defender, who was actively involved in the attack.

Phew-!

Although the decisive chance was wasted as the finishing shot went straight at the goalkeeper, the process of the game was impeccable.

That was exactly what Coach Cha Jin-tae thought.

“… … What the hell did you do in Cologne? You just created a monster.”

“Is that neat?”

“That’s about it. His dribbling has become much more streamlined, his passing timing is intuitive, and above all, his tactical movements… … He’s changed.”

“Why are you suddenly using idioms?”

“Hey, Inma. Do you think I’m joking? Look over here. The coaches are still talking. What else could they be talking about? As you can see, it’s all because of Sung Ha-neul.”

As expected, the game is soon stopped and new instructions are given through an interpreter.

“Heaven! Come here for a moment!”

“… …Did you call me?”

“Yeah. The coach told me to move up to the front line as a striker. He’s also training me on positioning, but I think he thinks the flanks are being overly damaged by individual abilities.”

“… … Then I’ll take it easy.”

“Uh, no… … that’s… … .”

However, since he seems to be worth his flashy appearance, he gives witty answers. Coach Cha Jin-tae quickly steps in and adds an explanation.

“It’s not that the heavens are telling you anything. They just want to see if you can use that ability on the front lines. The space in the center is much narrower than on the sides.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Okay, and don’t say anything like ‘I’ll take it easy next time.’ Got it?”

“yes.”

The answer is good, though.

Hong Gwang, the opposing team’s winger, overheard the entire conversation, so it felt a little late.

“… …I hope it’s okay?”

“what?”

“Hong Gwang is glaring at me as if he’s going to kill me.”

“It’s not because you hate me. You’ve been getting beat up all day. It’s probably because your pride is damaged.”

“Isn’t that it?”

“… … .”

* * *

Day 4 of the gathering.

After I finish my scheduled training, I return to my accommodation and make a phone call.

The recipient was Alex Pasek.

[Some of it is true.]

“What is that part?”

[Arsenal and Cologne are in negotiations. However, the lie is that an agreement has been reached.]

The answer to the question that has been pending for so long is not very satisfying.

Either way, it means you didn’t tell me.

“You said you were only expressing interest. You said you wouldn’t get a meaningful offer until July.”

[That’s true too. Negotiations don’t end in a short period of time. Besides, there’s a reason I didn’t tell you. You have the initiative to make the deal happen, so there’s no rush on our side. Even if the clubs reach an agreement, there’s still time left on the contract, so if we can’t come to an agreement with the player, it’s meaningless.]

“… … Then Mom doesn’t know?”

[Of course. At least there is no information leaked from the agency. I have told the clubs that are interested several times.]

“What did you say?”

[I said that if you contact family members other than the parties involved, consider it as if there was no transaction.]

I kind of like this.

He was also a trustworthy agent, so he made sure to handle things thoroughly so that I wouldn’t have to worry twice.

“So, how many proper offers did you get?”

[Three specific ones. Two abstract ones.]

“Specifically, Arsenal and Manchester United? Don’t even mention Munich.”

[Haha, of course. Three including Chelsea. Besides that, there are Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.]

“… … They’re all strong teams. But this is the first time I’ve heard about Paris and Madrid.”

[You guys… … things are complicated. Actually, I don’t really want you. Both Paris and Madrid are linked to a world-class striker named Kylian Mbappe… … Do you know who Mbappe is?]

“huh.”

[There’s another rumor about his transfer coming out under the surface. There’s a rumor that he wants to go to Madrid somehow. But nothing has been concrete, and while PSG is determined to keep him, Madrid is just repeating that they’ll bring him in somehow. So naturally, your name came up as a candidate.]

“I don’t understand.”

[All clubs are similar. They always think of the worst case scenario. Especially if they are having trouble controlling their players. Paris Saint-Germain is one such case. They are recruiting you in case they have to send you to Madrid.]

“… … .”

good.

With this, one of the two abstract teams was eliminated.

I know Mbappe is a great player, but who would buy him as a replacement, and even as insurance? Who would want to go?

[Unfortunately, Madrid thinks similarly. If the Mbappe deal falls through, then second place… … .]

“Okay, that’s it. I was only thinking about the EPL anyway. If I have to choose, I’ll go with that.”

[but-]

“I told you, it’s done.”

I know what Alex Pasek is talking about.

EPL is England’s football league, and when you say England, you mean England, and when you say England, you mean Brexit (Britain’s withdrawal from the EU).

Because I left the EU on my own, I was subject to the 18-year-old employment restriction, so I couldn’t go and work right away like other EU countries.

No matter what, that condition could not come before my pride.

“Rather than going there, I’d rather go to Tottenham like someone said.”

[… … Tottenham? Oh, Son? But that’s difficult. Negotiations are difficult, but choosing a team that suits you is the priority.]

“Isn’t it so bad there?”

[Well, it’s because they’re a team that’s tactically the opposite of Cologne. I don’t think there’s any need to take risks. The same goes for Chelsea. I don’t recommend them because there’s a lot of uncertainty due to the issue of changing the club’s owner.]

“Then what is the ranking you decided on?”

[… … I’m careful about what I say, but if I had to pick, I’d say Arsenal, Manchester United, and then Madrid.]

“Except Madrid. Now it’s just like Munich.”

[Well, maybe? But in the end, all of this is decided after you decide. I’m just saying it lightly. Take your time, so think about it step by step. But don’t take too long.]

“Ja.”

Immediately after ending the call with a short answer, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction.

I should have called you earlier.

Will he be plagued by questions from a group of reporters (such as whether he is confident in playing against Brazil or what he thinks of Lee Kang-yeon playing in Mallorca, Spain)? Will he be frustrated with calls from his grandmother to check up on her and convince her that she does not need to bring him side dishes?

I regret calling you now because I wasn’t in my right mind to begin with.

So from now on, I have an environment where I can focus solely on soccer… …. But somehow, my face feels stung by the gazes flying in from a corner of the room.

“Oh my~ Your German is no joke. I thought you were German.”

“… … Because I play in Germany. Everyone does this much.”

“Isn’t Jaeseon your older brother?”

“Why am I tripping again?”

Originally, I would have shared a room with Jae-young, who was a central defender, but he was excluded from the national team call-up, so Jae-seon became my roommate. Before I knew it, senior players, including Son Eung-min, had each taken up a spot.

“By the way, our youngest is very international. Even though he doesn’t know German, he comes up with many words that he knows, and my heart feels great.”

“Don’t put pressure on the child.”

“What kind of pressure is this? You’re saying that I’ll be the only one waiting quietly.”

“That’s the pressure, you’re just covering your eyes and pretending not to know.”

Then suddenly, a prank unfolds between the defender and the attacker.

The former was Min-je, who spoke in a dialect, and the latter was Son Eung-min, the team captain and EPL top scorer.

“No, isn’t it too much to take sides as if we’re already on the same team?”

“Then are we on the same team or different teams?”

“Dotner-um, not the national team.”

“… … Tottenham, what?”

“I heard you were gently coaxing me, right? Otherwise, why did you mention Tottenham when I called you?”

“I was joking. Don’t take it seriously. Oh, really.”

“Oh, that’s fine. Just ask him directly. What were you talking about earlier, Sky? Just the part about Tottenham.”

Should I answer or not?

Since there is quite a bit of age difference between me and my roommate, it is good to use formal language, but it is also difficult to make decisions easily in these situations.

What beat should I dance to?

“I was just talking to my agent about transferring… … .”

“While you were at it? The Tottenham story came up~?”

“yes.”

“What did you say?”

It would be best to be honest.

“Not really.”

“… … .”

“… … I like being honest! A man should have a strong personality. Right? Right or wrong?”

“Shut up.”

“No, why are you mad at me?”

It was the day before the evaluation match against Brazil.