Maël, having bid farewell to Karl, joined the majority of the team at the edge of the field to stretch their muscles. This was a necessary relaxation to reduce muscle fatigue.
Head Coach Hans seemed to have left early, and Mr. Wenger was nowhere to be seen.
Trial matches were brutal. Hans certainly didn't want to announce the results on the spot, and he also wanted to avoid communicating or saying goodbye to the players who weren't staying.
It was more appropriate to go back and notify them one by one by phone.
During the stretching, Maël began to think about his future.
Staying with the team was basically no problem. He just didn't know if Mr. Wenger or a scout had taken a fancy to him. Thinking about it, being picked after just one game seems unlikely.
He wasn't in a hurry. Improving his strength was the key right now.
Without strength, even if he went to the first team or other professional teams, it would be useless.
"I've already secured a good training environment and plenty of time. The new goal is to be promoted to the first team."
Maël shifted his mindset and felt a sense of security. This could also be considered an improvement, at least he didn't have to worry about returning to a life of wandering.
His first thought was, what skills should he practice next? He certainly wouldn't give up practicing Long Shot and Strength, but he had been intensifying his practice of these two abilities to prepare for today's trial match, wanting to equip himself with some amazing, powerful means.
Now that the trial match was over, if he only practiced these two abilities in the future, it would inevitably feel a bit top-heavy.
From today's game, he had realized that certain abilities must be acquired as soon as possible.
Not to mention the highest level of lv5, he needed to reach at least the average level of lv3 professional players.
Otherwise, when he really got to the intense professional leagues, he wouldn't even be able to adapt to the most basic rhythm of the game, and he wouldn't be able to hold the ball.
At that time, even with a lv5 Long Shot, he would be unable to use it.
"So, multi-line development is a must."
Maël made a decision and then began to make detailed plans. First, he planned to practice all the basic abilities to lv3, and then select one or two from them for lv4 or lv5 specialization upgrades.
Developing characteristics on the basis of ensuring basic abilities was the most correct way to grow.
And the basic abilities, in terms of technique, were nothing more than four: Passing, Receiving, Dribbling, and Shooting!
In terms of physical attributes, they could also be basically divided into four: Strength, Speed, Stamina, and Coordination! Don't think that abilities like receiving the ball or Coordination are not important. On the contrary, the more basic they are, the more they are the foundation for playing a good game.
If the foundation is not well-laid, if you can't stop the ball, and if you move stiffly as if you're about to fall, then everything is in vain.
"Add an Cut Inside ability while dribbling, and a Cross ability while passing."
Maël identified the two abilities he needed most right now, and then thought about the physical aspects: "For the body, I can temporarily focus on Strength, and when Strength reaches lv3, I'll add Coordination."
Having thought all of this through, the stretching was basically over. He got up, took a few sips of water, and walked towards the dormitory.
As soon as he got to the dormitory, Maël saw a text message on his phone.
The note showed Mr. Hans's number—"Come to the office."
To make himself look more formal, Maël suppressed the excitement in his heart, took a shower, and changed his clothes before leaving.
...
At the entrance of the Colney Training Base, several scouts walked out.
Joelson from Sheffield United almost instantly made a phone call. The new season was about to begin. Big clubs didn't need to rush to strengthen their teams, but small teams didn't have time to be comfortable.
They had to seize every opportunity as much as possible, even if the opportunity might not be a good one.
What Joelson wanted to do was to recommend Gilbert to the club while strongly recommending that number 31.
Even if doing so was a bit risky and a bit hasty.
But he had to do it.
The resource allocation mechanism in this world determined that teams like them needed to take greater risks when choosing players.
If there were well-known and universally recognized outstanding young players, then the clubs that wanted him would definitely be more than just Sheffield United, Leeds, and Burnley.
At that time, their competitors would definitely be Dortmund, Benfica, Ajax, and other similar levels.
The phone was quickly connected, and a voice came from the other side: "Are there any results? The transfer window is about to close. Once you decide, we will immediately contact Arsenal. This is our last chance to strengthen our team."
Before Joelson could interrupt, the voice on the other side kept talking: "The other scouts have returned one after another, and the people they brought are not satisfactory. Gilbert, who you're watching, is our last hope."
However, he didn't feel blamed. He knew how anxious the club management was at this time.
Just like the Burnley scout said a while ago, after failing to get promoted to the Premier League last season, many of their team's excellent players chose to leave.
Most of those who remained were either old and preparing to finish their contracts and retire,
or they were originally unable to play as starters and wanted to play a season in the EFL Championship to increase their personal value.
Undoubtedly, they all lacked the competitiveness and motivation to challenge for the Premier League.
If this continues, the team will not only fail to challenge for the Premier League, but also risk relegation! "Gilbert is fine, his ability is top-notch among his peers in England."
After waiting for a long time, Joelson finally had the opportunity to speak: "It's just that it's almost impossible to buy him. Wenger watched his game from the sidelines today. I think he will definitely notice this player."
"No need to buy! No need to buy!"
The voice on the other end was full of helplessness and anxiety: "Actually, I never hoped to buy Arsenal players in the first place. As long as we can loan one for a season to get through this year, we can figure out the rest."
"I know, boss."
Joelson nodded, then continued: "However, the best player in today's game is not Gilbert."
"...Who is it?"
"Arsenal's number 31, someone we've never paid attention to."
"Never paid attention to? Do you have the video? Send it to me."
"This game should be available on Arsenal's official website, but I couldn't find any others."
The voice on the other end fell silent, and after a long while, a deep breath came through, "How outstanding is he?"
Joelson stroked his chin, and the sharpness and violence of Maël's Long Shot emerged in his mind, "He and Gilbert each have their own characteristics. I think they are players of the same level, with the same impact."
The other end was silent again for a long time, as if hesitating, until more than ten seconds passed before finally making a decision: "I believe in your vision. In fact, if I don't believe in you, I have no one else to rely on.
"I'll contact Arsenal, you don't have to worry about the rest. Come back quickly—oh no, just wait there and come back with the players! If the player you recommend can really help the team, believe me, I will love you forever."
Joelson couldn't help but laugh, a chill rising from his back, "Let's forget about the last one, boss."
After hanging up the phone, he looked at the entrance of the Colney Training Base, his expression slowly turning melancholy.
He didn't know if the player he recommended to the team could help the team, nor did he know if the team could turn the corner this season.
No, what he should be worried about first is whether the team's sporting director can loan the two from Arsenal... Asking for recommendation tickets, asking for monthly tickets! Asking for all kinds of tickets!!
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