From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Emerging Talent

”In the second round of the Premier League, Arsenal crushed West Blackpool 6-0, with Walcott scoring a hat-trick and Arshavin contributing both a goal and an assist!” — ”Asi Bao”

”Disasters happening frequently! Chelsea wins 6-0 over Wigan Athletic, with Anelka scoring twice!” — UK ”442”

”Two rounds in, the newly crowned World Cup champion Fabregas, who faced criticism in the preseason, is still the top choice for Arsenal Team captain. This decision has caused some waves for Wenger.” — ”Sun” Editor-in-Chief

”Premier League championship odds released! Which team do you support?” — ”Probability Theory Ball”

”Sheffield United wins 3-1 over Cardiff City for their first victory of the new season! Evans scores one, Gilbert scores one, Janu Hans with a long shot, and young Ma’el provides two assists!” — ”Sheffield Evening Paper”

That evening, several news articles about the match day captured the attention of fans.

Most people still focused on the Premier League, which is undoubtedly the most captivating part of the pyramid, no matter where it is.

However, unlike before, Ma’el’s name made its way into some local reports.

In the comment sections of these reports, many Sheffield United fans flocked in, enthusiastically praising Ma’el for the wonderful experience he brought them today.

”Genius!”

”Star of tomorrow!”

”Bicycle boy!”

”He almost blew apart Cardiff City’s full-back Gabor, not just with his breakthroughs and crossings, but his ability to challenge was also remarkably memorable!”

Among these comments, there were those who praised directly and others who delivered rational analyses.

”As of now, he seems to be the most suitable winger choice for Sheffield United.

”Previously, the main winger Mark Yates preferred cutting inside to shoot rather than making crosses, which contributed little to the team, creating very few goals.”

”Ma’el’s strengths and weaknesses are quite evident. He can create goals and is very charismatic.

”But he also tends to lose possession easily and lacks effective means when playing with his back to goal. His short passing isn’t excellent either and often results in errors.

”He didn’t win the man of the match title today, which I think is also for this reason.”

”He’s still young, they can all be trained!”

......

On the way back on the team bus, Sheffield United players read these comments aloud with expressive voices, teasing Ma’el and occasionally causing everyone to burst into laughter.

”Ma’el, I think you should start a Facebook account.”

The team’s captain, Robert, becoming more humorously introverted with age, turned to Ma’el sitting in the back and said, ”If you become more popular, you might attract many English ladies’ attention; they’ll leave messages for you.”

”Yes, they’ll leave addresses.”

Striker Evans turned around, looking quite familiar with the idea, chimed in, ”Don’t think we’re just a Championship team. Championship players are still stars in Sheffield City.”

”But be careful of getting trapped.”

Janu Hans added, raising an eyebrow and smiling, ”Many stars have encountered it, and in the end, they could only pay a lot of money to settle the matter. You’re still young; don’t fall for such things.”

Ma’el ignored them and instead registered a Facebook account on his phone.

It wasn’t because he wanted to meet English ladies, mainly because with the internet era approaching, he indeed needed to develop his online presence, gradually accumulating fans and building his reputation.

If there were endorsement opportunities in the future, or if a famous agent wanted to collaborate with him, this would also be a way to contact him.

Shortly after registering, a few accounts had already started following him, becoming his fans.

Ma’el checked in and saw some photos related to Sheffield United on one of the fans’ homepages, suggesting that these fans might have been searching his name after the match, following him to see if he was genuine.

He picked up his phone, took a few selfies, and posted them.

After a while, it seemed that someone had shared his account, and the rate of fan growth began to accelerate, with noticeable increases every time he refreshed.

By the time he reached Sheffield City, the account already had over 700 followers.

”This feels good.”

Ma’el showed a satisfied expression, slowly accumulating followers. You can’t expect to become hugely popular overnight, but he looked forward to the day when he’d have a million fans.

He vaguely remembered that in a few years, many superstars would earn over a million Euros just by casually posting a promotion on Insta.... barely different from picking up money.

For now, since Insta hadn’t come out yet, he could start with Facebook.

Not to mention a million Euros per post, even 1000 Euros was no small amount. It could buy four pairs of football boots.

That night, Ma’el lay in bed, ready to sleep yet frequently reminiscing about his on-field experiences and the thrill of providing assists.

In his ears, he could almost hear the fans’ cheers, the crisp sound of teammates scoring, and the sight of those exhilarated faces.

These were undoubtedly moments and experiences he could cherish for life, smiling every time he thinks back.

......

The next day, at the Korni Training Base.

”Thump, thump, thump.” The head coach’s office door was knocked on early in the morning, and the visitor seemed a bit anxious.

Wenger removed his glasses, went to the door, and opened it, seeing Hans with a bald head standing at the entrance, smiling broadly.

”Please have a seat.”

He turned around, motioning for Hans to sit first. Once they were both seated, he asked, ”Do you have good news? Some happy news?”

”Big joyous news!”

Hans’s mouth stretched almost to the back of his ears as he took out his phone, opened a news article, and placed it in front of Wenger: ”Remember Ma’el and Gilbert?”

”I remember.”

Wenger nodded, glancing at the phone and then becoming petrified on the spot, his expression constantly changing.

Sometimes he seemed to doubt his eyes, other times complex, sometimes shocked.

He suddenly looked up and, staring at Hans, asked, ”Really...?”

Hans had anticipated this question and interrupted, ”Indeed! Yesterday, I watched the match with the entire U17 team; Ma’el started and chalked up two assists, one of which went to Gilbert!

”Our U17 produced talent!”

In fact, Hans definitely had other thoughts in mind. Lately, the club was undergoing changes and evaluations, putting him under a lot of pressure every day.

Seeing these two achieve such success, he couldn’t wait any longer to find Mr. Wenger, hoping to receive praise and stabilize his position.

”The report is here! The report is here, Mr. Wenger!”

At this moment, a shout suddenly came from outside the door, and someone hurriedly approached, ”It’s about the match report of those two kids you asked last time; they’ve already played!”

It was Assistant Coach Philis, who also seemed to sense that this news would cheer up Mr. Wenger, so he had printed the report early to deliver the good news.

Philis dashed in with the report, ready to present it to Wenger, but suddenly saw a bald-headed person looking at him.

”Hans?”

He was puzzled for a moment but quickly realized, ”Mr. Wenger already knows?”

”Yes.”

At this point, Wenger finally confirmed that the news must be true. He stood up from his seat, joyfully pacing around his office, ”Great, they’re both great! Such a performance is indeed unexpected.”

From any angle, being 17 and playing in the Championship League with stats is exceptional talent.

”Increase the attention!”

Wenger decided, smiling as he instructed, ”As long as they play, bring me the match report every week. It would be best to analyze the match videos and provide a data analysis.”

People are made up of one hope after another for the future, and clearly, for Wenger, he now had a new anticipation for the future.