Over the next few days, Maël spent all his time in the gym and on the training ground, using this break to explore new skill directions.
He had already planned to focus on 'ball control' and 'dribbling skill,' his two weakest areas.
Ball control is fundamental, the basis upon which all his other skills can be comfortably used in matches.
As for dribbling, its importance is not less than shooting and passing.
However, the gap between his dribbling and his shooting and passing is quite large, with only two lv3 skills.
During that Arsenal First Team training session, he clearly felt that his current breakthrough ability was not very successful in tight areas.
He needed to lengthen the distance, to have some space, so that his strongest Speed ability could come into play.
Of course, he wasn't worried about 'lv4 Speed' having few opportunities to shine on the field. Arsenal's passing style wasn't about control, but about quick passing and cutting, with many counter-attack scenarios in each game.
When that time comes, his Speed will definitely be a powerful weapon in the team's attack! It's just that he can't rely solely on Speed to conquer the Premier League; he still needs to find more attacking methods.
He'll strive to solve problems directly with feints and bursts of speed when there's plenty of space, and use dribbling and ball control skills to break through in tight spaces... to be more comprehensive, more difficult for defenders to figure out, so he can get past anyone.
"So, instead of practicing dribbling skills, should I focus on practicing ball control?"
After clarifying these points, Maël gradually had this idea, feeling it was the most reasonable. What he lacked now was the ability to control the ball.
The primary qualities and abilities needed for quick maneuvering and high-speed changes of direction are—keeping the ball under control, controlling it well.
If a player's ball control is excellent, defenders will have a very hard time when he approaches them at high speed.
At this point, you might not even need to make too many moves. Just wait for the defender to have nowhere to retreat, step forward to tackle, and then rely on nimble footwork to get past them! Typical examples include Messi, Iniesta, and Hazard, all kings of dribbling on the wings.
Their dribbling is simple, with almost no complex moves.
Simple pushes, pulls, and flicks, combined with body feints, changes of pace and direction, and advantages in speed and explosiveness, can easily create breakthroughs.
"Focus on practicing ball control!"
Maël made his decision, adding two new skills to his daily training, and his enthusiasm and motivation were high.
Not only because of the novelty of practicing new skills, but also the joy of thinking about expanding his arsenal.
Improvement is always good. Nothing is more pleasing than watching yourself become stronger step by step, especially when you can get positive feedback at any time.
Of course, Maël didn't neglect other training. He rationally allocated his training time, ensuring a certain intensity of physical training every day, and then using technical training to balance it out.
On May 27th, Maël, who was running in the gym at night, finally welcomed the upgrade of 'Stamina'.
This was his first ability upgrade in London after the end of the season, enough to make him very excited.
[Skill: Stamina lv3]
[Proficiency: 1/2000]
[Effect: As Muscle Endurance gradually increases, your cardiopulmonary function is also increasing, and your overall endurance is enhanced. Your ability to run under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions has been greatly improved!]
Maël could feel a special sensation rising in his lungs, as if they had become a bottomless pit, never fully filled.
"Now, my Stamina is basically enough."
He smiled and muttered to himself, feeling the pressure of training lessen somewhat. Next, he could focus more on improving other abilities! On May 29th, Maël and Mendes' client, Pepino, went to a café together to sign a lease agreement with the landlord of the mansion in North London.
The annual rent was £650,000, and Maël had the first option to buy the mansion. He could buy it for £12 million within 2 years, after which the price would be based on the market price and other people's offers.
"Phew."
After signing the contract, Maël walked out of the café and said to Pepino with a smile, "I have more motivation to make money now. I must turn it into my own house within 2 years."
"Haha."
Pepino smiled, still very optimistic about Maël: "Keep it up, you're about to usher in your third salary increase in the first year of your career, who knows how many more you'll get in the second year."
"By the way." Maël asked when he mentioned this, "Why didn't Mendes mention the salary increase negotiations to me?"
"I know about this."
Pepino glanced at the date and said, "After the summer transfer window opens in July, Transfermarkt's valuation will be updated again, and you'll definitely increase a lot. Plus, when your potential suitors appear, all aspects of your value will increase."
"Negotiating at that time is the best, and it's most likely to get a high-paying contract."
Pepino seemed afraid that Maël would overthink it, and quickly added after saying this: "Of course, there's no intention to put pressure on the club. I heard that Mr. Wenger is quite proactive in giving you a raise this time, and Mr. Mendes is also very sincere.
"It's just that many times, the value of a player needs some external demand to be reflected, so that both parties can understand what kind of value player you are."
Maël waved his hand at him and shook his head, saying, "I understand all of this, Mr. Pepino, there's no need to worry."
After parting with Pepino, he thought that he could call Harry and Safina to move into their new home today, and smiled knowingly, deciding to head to the luxury goods store first.
He had long thought about the championship gifts he wanted to give them, and they couldn't be missing. It was best to be sincere when cooperating with team employees.
He needed to establish a good image and reputation in order to attract more outstanding talents to join his team, have better relationships in daily interactions, and work together to help him improve.
Arriving at a Patek Philippe luxury watch brand store, Maël, with the guidance of the shopping guide, picked out two watches priced at around £10,000 each, one men's and one women's.
In this era, this was definitely considered a very luxurious watch, the most top-tier watch besides limited and special editions.
He then went to the bank, withdrew £20,000, counted as the two's season-end bonus, and stuffed £10,000 into each of their watch boxes.
"Ava."
Thinking of his uncle's family, Maël entered his uncle's bank account number and silently transferred £30,000 before leaving the bank.
Now that his life was getting better and better, he couldn't forget his uncle and aunt's family. If he accumulated more and more honors and more and more wealth in the future, he could open a 'Personal Honors Exhibition Hall' in London.
At that time, he would let his uncle and aunt help look after it, pay them high salaries, after all, his own family was the most trustworthy.
Two business cars drove slowly and finally stopped near 13 Kenton Street.
Maël got out of the car first, and then picked up Harry and Safina from the back car, standing on the side of the street to point the way to several movers.
"This... is this it?" Harry looked at the ultra-luxurious villa and small park not far in front of him, stunned, and glanced at Maël next to him.
He had thought that Maël, who had received a huge bonus in Sheffield, would most likely rent a villa after returning to London.
But he still didn't expect that the other party would directly get a mansion that ranked among the best in all of London.
"The environment is really good."
Safina sniffed the fresh air nearby and couldn't help but lean towards the house. Her black and white striped top and denim shorts today matched the beautiful scenery nearby.
She took a few steps nearby and observed the surroundings of the house up close, and a shock also appeared in her eyes, "I can't imagine how comfortable it is to live here, I have never entered such a luxurious villa."
"Maël."
Safina turned her head and smiled sweetly: "Don't let us pay rent, haha."
Maël laughed along, seeing them like this, he was also very happy and felt a sense of accomplishment.
This was the result of a year of hard work, and they were finally moving in! He came to the two of them, picked up the two exquisite gift bags he was carrying, and said with a smile: "Guess what this is?"
"What?"
Harry stepped forward curiously, there was no logo on the gift bag, so he could only guess that it should be some small object, "Souvenir?"
Safina glanced at it and joked: "I guess it's a letter from a female fan to him, hahaha."
They were in a good mood at the moment, and there was a lot of laughter when they talked.
"Open it and see."
Maël didn't hide it anymore, handed the gift bag to the two of them, and watched them unpack it with a smile, "This is a season-end gift for you."
"Patek Philippe?" Safina opened it first, women's hands are indeed faster in this regard, her pupils shrank, and her red lips opened in surprise: "£9400? Is this for us?"
Harry also opened it at this time, he was more careful when unpacking, and saw the red envelope clipped on the side, and took it out.
Feeling the weight in his hand, he couldn't help shaking his head, "Maël, this is too precious, and this red envelope... I don't know how to thank you enough."
"There's a red envelope too?"
Safina's personality was more straightforward, she directly took out the money in the red envelope and counted it. When she counted to fifty, she weighed the thickness of the two stacks of money, and she knew the exact amount, "£10,000!"
"Yes!" She held the money in one hand and the watch in the other, came to Maël's side, and gave Maël a big hug to express her gratitude.
Maël didn't react to this sudden embrace, and when he did, Safina was already walking towards the house holding the watch and money.
She twisted and turned in a funny way all the way, as if walking on a red carpet, it could be seen that she was really happy.
"You are the best employer I have ever met."
Harry's way of expressing gratitude and excitement was simpler, he hugged Maël, and then walked slowly beside him.
After entering the house, Maël showed them around and told them they could each pick a room to live in on the first floor.
"Yeah!"
Hearing this, Safina, once again acting out of character, cheered and high-fived Maël before dashing off to find a room on the first floor.
It seems everyone has their own special interests, and Safina's is luxurious villas.
But then again, who doesn't love this kind of house?
"Actually, there's something else."
Harry wasn't in a hurry to choose a room. He hesitated behind Maël before finally saying, "Safina has been learning physiotherapy massage from me for a long time, and her level is almost on par with mine."
"She spends very little time preparing nutritional meals each day and has wanted to do physiotherapy massage for you with me for a long time."
"As you've probably noticed, sometimes my physiotherapy massage for you isn't comprehensive enough. If there are two people, the efficiency and recovery effects in all aspects will be better."
"She's not asking for a raise or anything, just hoping that the previous £500 a week subsidy will continue."
Maël turned to look at him. Safina's figure, appearance, and temperament were among the best of European and American women. How could he refuse?
Isn't this the kind of problem that's solved as long as Safina agrees?
He chuckled to himself, covering his mouth with his right hand, and said, "Okay, I have no problem with that."
"That's great!" Harry seemed very happy and came forward to hug Maël again.
Once Safina had chosen her room, Maël gathered them together, ready to get down to business: "Harry just told me about that. So now, both of your Weekly Salaries are £2,000."
Harry and Safina exchanged glances, nodded slightly, and were a little apprehensive, wondering what Maël wanted to say.
"I thought about it before coming here."
Maël smiled and said generously, "You both played an indispensable role in helping me maintain my good physical condition last year. Now that we've been promoted to a Premier League powerhouse and I'm about to receive a higher salary, I'll also give you a raise."
"Haa..." Harry and Safina gasped, exchanged glances again, and their faces showed curiosity as they waited for Maël to state the amount.
"£3,000."
Maël didn't beat around the bush and directly stated the figure: "Your Weekly Salaries will both be raised to £3,000."
Harry and Safina were shocked again, their mouths slightly agape, and they raised their arms and shouted, "Wow!"
Harry could guarantee that if someone asked him at this moment what he wanted to say to his boss, he would definitely wish him a long life.
"I love you!"
Safina rushed up at this moment, enveloped Maël, and gave him another heavy hug, only releasing him after a long time.
Maël looked at them with a smile, feeling happy. Plus, today was a good day for moving, so he couldn't help but take them out for a big meal.
...
On May 31st, Arsenal welcomed their holiday. Mr. Wenger called Maël to ask about his recent situation.
Maël chatted with him for a while and found that Mr. Wenger didn't blame him for that incident. On the contrary, he seemed to have forgotten about it, not mentioning it from beginning to end.
"Five weeks of vacation."
Mr. Wenger finally mentioned the holiday arrangements and gave a blessing: "Relax and unwind, find a beautiful city to vacation in. I hope you have a good time during this period and can be in good shape for the start of the season."
"Everyone is waiting for you, and we all hope you can gain a foothold in the Premier League as soon as possible."
"Okay."
After hanging up the phone, Maël called Gilbert to go to the training ground together and resume some skill-based training.
Although he occasionally had other things to do these past few days, he never stopped training. He must always remember what was most important to him.
He also had to constantly remind himself that even if he became stronger and stronger in the future, he couldn't stop improving himself.
He had to keep grinding, keep grinding, until the moment he became a football god! At two o'clock this afternoon, he saw the proficiency panel for ball control appear, and another new skill arrived.
[Skill: Unloading Force lv2]
[Proficiency: (159/300)]
[Effect: You have gradually mastered the technique of unloading force from various types of passes, often able to accurately capture the landing point of the ball and unload force from the ball through some detailed handling!]
It's finally here! Initial lv2, not bad.
After leveling up to lv3 in a short period, it should be initially usable. Leveling up to lv4 might bring the feeling of stopping wherever you want.
Maël went to the sidelines to rehydrate, feeling a slight doubt in his heart. Why hasn't my ball control ability improved despite practicing it more these past few days? Actually, I've been practicing ball control, but less on trapping the ball.
"Could ball control also be a mental skill?"
He thought of this possibility, feeling it was likely, as it was difficult to categorize it as a single technical skill.
During his training these past few days, he practiced ball feel, various pushes and pulls, and various flicks and scoops. These were all training methods for basic ball control abilities that he had accumulated in the past.
"Forget it."
Maël didn't think too much about it. Just keep practicing like this, and I'll be able to master it one day. The more difficult the skill is to learn, the better the effect. I've known this principle for a long time.
"I'm leaving tomorrow."
Gilbert walked over at this moment and smiled at him while rehydrating, "Without anyone to pass to you, you won't be able to practice your ball trapping."
"Where are you going?" Maël turned to look at him, asking curiously.
"Bournemouth." Gilbert packed up his training equipment and said, looking down, "Not the team, but to train in that town. It has a very good training environment."
"I might go directly to the new team from there and not come back."
Maël nodded slightly, a sense of reluctance rising in his heart, "I'll see you off at the airport tomorrow."
With Gilbert leaving tomorrow, he might have to find two more sparring partners. Ideally, one could help him improve his ball control and various techniques, and the other could help him train his body and coordination.
In simple terms, he needs to find a private coach specializing in technical ability improvement and another private coach specializing in physical ability improvement.
When that time comes, the real sprint for improving his strength will begin!
"Okay."
Gilbert smiled slightly and readily agreed, "Four o'clock ticket in the afternoon, I'll call you then."
"Okay."
Maël looked at the training ground in front of him, thinking about his good brother going out to make a name for himself for a year, and couldn't help but ask, "When you come back in a year, what kind of player do you hope to be?"
The reluctance in Gilbert's eyes was even stronger. He was not only parting with his good friend but also with the training base where he had grown up.
He thought for a long time, lowered his head, pursed his lips, and said with a trembling voice, "A player who can stay here and fight alongside you at Arsenal."
ps: The off-season plot will be almost over today.
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