"Is that Drinkwater?" John Aston asked, sitting next to Ethan.
They were at Manchester United's Youth Academy stadium in Manchester. The Premier League season had wrapped up, but for the academy players, the battle for their future was still on. For the 17- and 18-year-olds, this was a crucial period — a chance to prove they deserved a professional contract.
It was an Under-18 match: Manchester United U18 vs. Southampton U18.
"Yes, that's him," Ethan confirmed, scanning the crowd. Besides the players' families and a handful of United fans, most spectators were scouts, like him, evaluating potential signings.
Manchester United's academy had a reputation for churning out talent. Many Premier League players had come through their ranks. Smaller clubs were always on the lookout for United's fringe academy players — those who couldn't quite break into the first team but still had potential.
Drinkwater was one of those players. He looked composed, but to make United's first team required something extraordinary.
On the pitch, United U18 dominated. Before halftime, Danny Welbeck completed a hat-trick, assisted by another rising star — Tom Cleverley.
John's eyes lingered on Drinkwater. He didn't see anything remarkable. Compared to Cleverley's creative spark, Drinkwater seemed ordinary — reliable but unremarkable.
"Did you notice?" Ethan asked, sensing John's doubts. "Drinkwater hasn't misplaced a single pass."
John hadn't picked up on that. It didn't seem impressive at first — no mistakes, but no standout moments either.
Ethan saw more. "His positioning is excellent. United hasn't conceded, and he's a big part of that."
Goals might grab the headlines — a goalkeeper's acrobatics or a defender's last-ditch tackle — but Ethan valued the quiet work. Players like Drinkwater, who snuffed out danger before it materialized.
John watched closer. He saw it now. Drinkwater's positioning disrupted Southampton's attacks. He wasn't flashy, but he controlled the midfield, cutting off passing lanes and forcing mistakes.
"This kid's smart," John admitted. "Not a star, but solid. A player like that could be gold for Luton."
"And calm on the ball too. Hard to believe he's only 18," Ethan added.
John frowned. "Will United let him go?"
Ethan nodded. "They will. He's good — but not Welbeck or Cleverley good. United's first team demands something special. Drinkwater's well-rounded, but that reads as 'average' at a top club. For a smaller team, though — he could be a star."
The final whistle blew. United U18 crushed Southampton U18, five-nil. Welbeck and Cleverley stole the show. The fans talked about their bright futures. Drinkwater? He was just another academy player in the background.
Ethan wasn't leaving empty-handed. "Let's go talk to him."
Outside the academy gates, they caught Drinkwater leaving.
"Hi, Danny!" Ethan called.
Drinkwater recognized him instantly. "You're that Chinese coach from Chelsea U18?" he asked, surprised. Chelsea had recently beaten United U18 in the FA Youth Cup final — a loss that left United's academy staff fuming.
"Yeah, that was me," Ethan chuckled. "But I'm not with Chelsea anymore. I'm managing Luton Town now."
Drinkwater nodded slowly, guessing why they were there.
"I want you to join my team, Danny," Ethan said plainly. "I've watched you. I know how to use you."
Drinkwater's face hardened. The offer felt like an insult — Luton was a struggling League Two club, docked 30 points for financial troubles. Relegation to non-league football seemed inevitable.
"You're a second-division club about to go down," Drinkwater said bluntly.
"Maybe," Ethan admitted. "But it's not over yet. And if we do get relegated, you can leave. One season. That's all I'm asking."
Drinkwater hesitated. He didn't want to rot on United's bench or get loaned to a League One club where he'd barely play. Ethan's confidence intrigued him.
"Alright. I'll join on loan," he agreed. "One season."
"You won't regret this," Ethan promised.
The loan deal was easy. United didn't block it — they had no plans for Drinkwater in the first team. Luton only had to cover his modest academy-level wages — £1,500 a week.
While the legal team finalized the paperwork, Ethan was already on the move.
His next stop? A brickyard in Basingstoke, hunting down his next target: a non-league striker named Charlie Austin.
It was 2008. In a year's time, Austin would explode into the professional game, bagging 48 goals in 43 matches for Poole Town and earning a move to Swindon. Ethan wanted him before that happened.
Charlie Austin's journey from bricklayer to Premier League striker is nothing short of inspirational. Known for his sharp goal-scoring instincts, Austin was brought to Queens Park Rangers by Harry Redknapp, where he quickly made his mark in the Premier League, even finding himself among the league's top scorers — a remarkable feat in a division dominated by global superstars.
For manager Ethan, Austin seemed like the perfect forward for Luton Town. His physicality, natural finishing ability, and relentless work ethic made him a standout choice — not to mention the low transfer fee, crucial for a team working with a limited £200,000 budget.
Austin's story began far from the bright lights of professional football. At 19, he was a bricklayer, working tirelessly at his father's construction site. He'd start his day at 6 a.m., lay bricks until 3 p.m., then rush off to play for local amateur sides. Despite the grueling schedule, Austin's passion never wavered. His evenings were spent on muddy pitches, scoring goals for teams like Kintbury Rangers and Hungerford Town.
Rejected by Reading's academy at 14 for being 'too small,' Austin's dream of turning pro never faded. He briefly trained with Bournemouth but didn't secure a spot. Still, his time there improved his speed and technique, fueling his determination.
One day, as he stacked the final brick on a wall, a coworker rushed over.
"Charlie! There's a coach from the second division here to see you!"
Ethan, a young Chinese coach newly appointed at Luton, sat down with Austin and his father. Skeptical at first, old Austin questioned the legitimacy of this unfamiliar manager. However, Ethan's belief in Charlie's potential was unwavering.
"I've watched Charlie's games. He's got real talent," Ethan stated.
Young Austin, eyes wide with hope, couldn't hide his excitement. This was his chance — a shot at professional football. After some convincing, his father agreed to take him to Luton.
Austin's attributes were impressive:
Finishing: 76
Heading: 78
Off-the-ball movement: 72
But what truly caught Ethan's eye was his mentality:
Work rate: 80
Teamwork: 76
Determination: 88
Bravery: 86
Composure: 83
Though his pace and technical skills weren't elite, Austin's mental strength was world-class — the foundation of any great striker. For a second-division side like Luton, Austin was a game-changer.
After verifying Ethan's credentials, Luton signed Austin to a four-year contract with a £5,000 weekly wage. His amateur club, Poole Town, received a goodwill payment of fifty footballs — a small but symbolic gesture.
Ethan didn't stop there. He soon spotted a 21-year-old Jamie Vardy, working as a part-time factory worker and playing non-league football. Vardy's speed and tenacity were undeniable. He too signed with Luton, dreaming of a professional career.
"Jamie, you'll create your own miracle. I promise," Ethan told him.
The scouting didn't end in England. In Paris, a 17-year-old N'Golo Kanté caught Ethan's eye. Despite his small stature, Kanté's defensive stats were astonishing:
Tackling: 82
Positioning: 76
Anticipation: 77
Stamina: 80
Kanté signed with Luton, setting the stage for his future rise to Premier League stardom.
With Austin, Vardy, and Kanté on board, Ethan was confident. Even with a 30-point deduction looming over Luton, he believed they could defy the odds.
"This squad can do something special," Ethan thought. "We might be in the second division now, but we're building something that can reach the top."