Outside Luton Town's training ground, a row of two-story red-brick houses lined the street. The morning sun, now past nine o'clock, cast long shadows stretching northward.
Jeffrey crouched near the entrance, seeking shade from the building. It was nearly July, and though he came from the lowlands of the Netherlands, he found the British sun surprisingly harsh. The ultraviolet rays bore down on him, forcing him to squat in the shadow of the wall.
Still clad in a Chelsea training kit, Jeffrey looked out of place. He had been a promising talent in Chelsea's youth academy, making the difficult move from the Netherlands as a teenager. Winning the FA Youth Cup as a key player was his proudest moment. Initially a midfielder, he had been converted into a center-back by coach Ethan, where he had flourished. His performances steadily improved, earning him a starting role in Chelsea's U18 squad. When they lifted the FA Youth Cup, Jeffrey had believed his breakthrough was imminent. He hoped to catch the first-team coach's attention, step up to senior training sessions, and eventually earn a loan move to gain experience.
However, everything unraveled when Ethan was unexpectedly sacked. Chelsea's first team, reeling from a penalty shootout loss to Manchester United in a European final, dismissed interim manager Avram Grant. Chaos followed. The club was in transition, and with youth academy staff being reshuffled, the structure that had once supported Jeffrey crumbled.
Then came the incident. Jeffrey had clashed with a teammate on the training ground—George, the son of a Chelsea board member. A heated challenge escalated into a fight, and Jeffrey landed a heavy punch. His teammates might have respected him for it, but the club did not. Within days, he was released.
Lost and uncertain, Jeffrey faced an identity crisis. He had been at Chelsea since the age of 14. What could he do if not play football? Returning to the Netherlands was an option, perhaps even taking up his father's profession as a gardener, but he wasn't ready to give up. Football was all he knew.
With no connections in England, he turned to the one person he trusted—his mentor, Ethan. He had learned that Ethan had taken charge of a League One club, and in desperation, Jeffrey sought him out.
The gates of the training ground swung open, and Ethan strode out purposefully. The moment he spotted Jeffrey, still in his Chelsea gear, he smiled.
Jeffrey had always been one of Ethan's most reliable defenders. Though only 185 cm, he played with maturity beyond his years. His aerial ability, strong physique, and composure in possession made him a natural fit at center-back, even against physically dominant strikers.
Ethan had no intention of poaching his former players from Chelsea, but seeing Jeffrey—discarded and humiliated—rekindled his own resentment toward his former club. He wanted revenge, not off the pitch, but on it.
"Jeffrey!"
Jeffrey looked up, his eyes immediately locking onto his former coach. Seeing that familiar figure, the only person who had truly believed in him, his emotions surged.
Ethan walked over and embraced him. "I was just about to look for a center-back," he said, his tone direct. "You're coming with me."
Jeffrey's voice cracked. "They let me go, coach…"
Ethan's expression darkened. "Was it that fat bastard?"
Jeffrey hesitated before admitting, "I… I punched his son."
For a moment, Ethan was silent. Then, he burst into laughter, clapping Jeffrey on the shoulder. "Good punch!"
For the first time in days, Jeffrey grinned.
"Come on, let's get you back on the pitch." Ethan threw an arm around his shoulders and led him inside.
As they passed the security gate, Ethan turned to the old gatekeeper. "Uncle Magis, take a good look—this is our new center-back." His voice carried conviction. "One day, he'll be world-class."
Jeffrey's future at Chelsea hadn't looked promising, but Ethan never hesitated to praise his players. For young talents, a coach's encouragement is a crucial source of confidence.
Hearing Ethan's words, Jeffrey felt a surge of belief in himself. He already trusted Ethan completely, and now, with such strong praise, his confidence soared.
"You won't be in the lower leagues for long. The top flight is your true stage!" Ethan encouraged him.
"I just want to follow you, coach!" Jeffrey responded, fired up by his mentor's words. Whatever Ethan asked of him, he was ready to do.
"Then let's get promoted together!" Ethan said, patting Jeffrey on the back. "Three years! We'll take this team to the Premier League in three years!"
For the first time, Ethan revealed his true ambitions.
Jeffrey, now completely devoted to Ethan, believed every word. He nodded firmly. "I'll make sure that those people at Chelsea see how good I am!"
Ethan laughed. "Then we'll return to the Premier League and beat Chelsea on their own turf!"
The coach and his young player shared a determined smile.
After that, Ethan took Jeffrey onto the training pitch, introducing him to his Luton Town teammates. Coming from Chelsea's U18s, there was no doubt about Jeffrey's ability.
Looking at his squad, Ethan felt immense pride.
Promotion!
This season, they were going up—no matter what!