From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Rapid Progress! The Frenzied September!

On September 11, Sheffield United traveled to Derby County, England, for the fifth round of the league.

As a traditional strong team in England, Derby County had its fair share of highlights in the last century, with England’s famous coach Brian Clough rising from here.

The match kicked off at 3:30 that afternoon, with Sheffield United obtaining the first kick-off in the first half.

”Ma’el is advancing with the ball, and he has put on quite a performance in the last two matches!

”A cross! Just a little off! Sheffield United gained a corner kick opportunity! Ma’el takes the corner, his first time, and it seems he has become the team’s first-choice kicker.

”In the middle! High quality! Ah.... Evans actually missed it.”

”.....”

”The first half ends like this, both teams’ defenses are in great form, not giving each other many chances, especially with Derby County’s tight marking on Ma’el.

”This young general needs more variety; he is talented and young, and I believe he can do it.

”Today, the full-back defending against him is top-tier in the Championship, attracting the interest of multiple big clubs and is expected to join Chelsea next season.”

”Alright, the second half begins, let’s see how both sides perform next.”

”.....”

”This is a pass from Evans! Gilbert breaks into the penalty area, is he about to score his second career goal?

”A push shot! Saved! Another shot! It’s in!! Beautiful! Young general Gilbert scores his second career goal, with Ma’el being the first to sprint towards him, both hailing from Arsenal!”

”.....”

”Match over! One to zero, Gilbert scored the winning goal, securing Sheffield United’s second consecutive victory since Garrispeed took over!

”They’ve gotten off to a good start for the entire month of September! Hope they can get more points, improve their ranking early, and avoid relegation risk!”

After the game ended, Ma’el, in high spirits after the victory, carried the winning hero Gilbert on his back, the two circling around the away fans’ section for a lap as a gesture of thanks.

The fans have already remembered these two; they started chanting Gilbert’s name after the match.

”Arsenal’s pair of blessings contributed successively to the team! Garrispeed personally admitted that they have already become an indispensable part of the team!” — Sheffield Evening Paper

......

September 14, at the training base.

Ma’el suddenly stopped training, laying on the grass, his legs trembling slightly.

Gilbert, who was training with him today, hurriedly approached, using his hands to lift Ma’el’s legs, manipulating his ankles to help with stretching.

”Cramps?” he asked with concern.

”No.”

Ma’el shook his head and smiled: ”I am feeling my muscles.”

Gilbert: ”...”

He rolled his eyes and lowered Ma’el’s legs, wanting to find someone to ask—do you know how speechless I am?

Ma’el wasn’t doing it for any other reason, mainly because his speed had improved again.

[Skill: Sprinting Level 2]

[Skill Level Progress: (1/800)]

[Utility: You start training focused on muscle contraction speed and reaction ability, slowly changing the ratio of fast muscle fibers, enabling a certain level of fast sprinting ability!]

As time went by, he had slowly gotten used to the transition from Level 1 to Level 2,

but the improvement in physical attributes, after all, is not as simple as conventional skills and still brings him some pleasure.

With the speed gradually improving..... his threatening ability down the wings will multiply.

”With a tight schedule, I need to add step-over move into the training program, otherwise, my body simply can’t handle it.”

He made the decision in his mind, not only because of the tight schedule but also because he felt his limitations in the last match.

When faced with a strong full-back, he actually didn’t have many options. Now, Championship teams all know he likes doing bicycle kicks.

Although long shots are still threatening, they aren’t opportunities that come in every match, nor can every shot find the back of the net.

”If I can pick up the step-over move I practiced before and train it to Level 3, then everything in the future will be different again.”

Ma’el had mentally prepared for four-line training, knowing that many excellent wingers don’t have too many techniques, just a little variation in footwork and physical changes.

Step-over move belongs to this category of technique.

His speed is also steadily improving, and when paired with two Level 3 dribbling skills,

even in the Premier League, he would have a certain success rate, let alone in the Championship.

[Skill: Violent Bombing Level 3]

[Skill Level Progress: (218/800)]

Gazing at the progress of his long shot skill level, he eagerly anticipated the moment of its improvement, which would surely become his first Level 4 skill.

He also discovered over these days that using skills in matches or successfully attempting positive feedback significantly amplifies his skill progress.

Now, just continue moving forward with the schedule!

......

On September 15, Sheffield United hosted a match at Bramall Lane Stadium against Scunthorpe, currently placed mid-table in the standings.

”Although Sheffield United has achieved two consecutive victories, it might be the ’novice’ protection phase for the new coach Garrispeed. The team’s overall strength isn’t strong indeed; they have relied on kids twice.” — The Preview

Admittedly, this media outlet’s prediction had some merit.

At the beginning of this match, Scunthorpe hit Sheffield United hard with aggressive tactics.

”Collins’s through ball! Very beautiful, this pass tore open Sheffield United’s defense; can Dagnall get this ball?

”He’s very fast, one-on-one with the goalkeeper!!

”A shot!! Goal.....!! One to zero, Scunthorpe takes the lead away from home!”

”...”

”The corner is delivered! Not a bad spot! Will Scunthorpe get a second goal?!

”Kanavan’s header, missed! Muffin’s follow-up shot.... Oh!! Two to zero, Scunthorpe leads two-nil in the first half!

”Two defenders’ shots completed this goal; they are in excellent form today!”

”.....”

”It’s Dagnall again! What happened to Sheffield United’s defense today? This sharp forward gets another one-on-one chance, can he score?

”A brace! Three to zero!! The home team’s hope to win is minimal now.... let’s see if they can score one to save some face.

”.....”

”Ma’el pushes forward, he is in a good state this match, having some advantage over Kanavan, whether in power or speed, he seems to be superior to this playmaking wing-back.

”Breakthrough.... went past him! The third successful breakthrough in this match, can this cross be on target?

”A pass... no, it’s a fake pass and pullback! Ma’el breaks into the penalty area, very close to the danger zone! A ground cross to the back post!

”Ward!! It’s in!! A rocket shot! Ward scores his first goal of the season, and Ma’el also completes his fourth assist of the season, what an excellent winger he is!”

”....”

”The referee blows the final whistle to end the match, with Scunthorpe eventually securing a three to one victory! Garrispeed tastes his first defeat since taking charge; hopefully, he can rally back!”

After this match ended, Ma’el and Gilbert sat by the advertisement board, watching the sparse and face-darkened departing fans, feeling a bit powerless.

Ma’el also tasted his first defeat personally, and frankly, it doesn’t feel good, not even with personal stats to boast about.

If given a choice, he wishes to always win!

Of course, he still has a long way to go to reach that step..... but he never gives up.