#108 The Decision(2)
It was the first time I'd ever played a match solely focused on scoring goals. Still, I wasn't entirely satisfied. Against CD Lugo's abysmal defense, five goals felt a bit meager. Two shots had even unluckily hit the post, leaving me inwardly regretting the ones that got away.
Well... at least breaking the record sooner than expected put me in a good mood. My teammates showered me with congratulations. Coach Jordi Calavera in particular left me with these words.
"I don't know how many more players I'll coach in my career... but I can say with confidence that you'll be the best striker among them."
"I agree, Coach."
"Where else are you going to find a striker who scores forty-six goals in just twenty games? Haha!"
The teammates chimed in agreement with Coach Jordi Calavera.
"Oh, and I have a gift for you. Not one I prepared myself, though."
Coach Jordi Calavera glanced toward the door, and a stranger I'd never seen slipped into the dressing room, handing something over. It was a trophy shaped like a golden soccer boot. I knew instantly it was mine.
"It's from La Liga. To celebrate you becoming the La Liga 2 top scorer. Take it. Everyone, give him a round of applause."
Clap clap clap clap!
The tiny dressing room filled with the sound of applause. Handing it over right after the record was set meant La Liga had prepared it in advance. It was a shame it wasn't at home, where the fans could have given me a standing ovation... Well, I'd get that hot roar at the next home game anyway.
With this, I'd achieved the first of my three preseason goals: breaking the top scorer record. Two left. Leading AD Alcorcón to the title and promotion. And transferring to a big club at season's end.
The latter was already close at hand. But the former... I probably wouldn't be there for that glorious moment.
"Just a random thought, Theo."
"Yeah?"
"I think giving you number nine was a mistake."
The moment we boarded the away bus back to Alcorcón after the match, Miguel Amaro, who'd been lost in thought the whole time, dropped a bombshell.
"Why?"
"If you'd picked a number above twenty, the club would have retired it permanently."
Permanent retirement. Just hearing the words made my heart race. Sealing a number forever so no one else could wear it, to honor a player's legacy at one club. It becomes a number just for that player.
But crucial numbers like nine are rarely retired. I hadn't expected it anyway. Especially since I was likely leaving mid-season rather than sticking around to lead the promotion push—expecting retirement in that scenario felt greedy.
"Yeah, maybe. Haha."
I just laughed it off. I only learned later... the Spanish pro soccer association doesn't even recognize permanent retirements.
In the technical director's private office at AD Alcorcón's club house, tea time was in full swing. Iñigo Chapé and Coach Jordi Calavera sipped their strong espressos cut with milk. The rich coffee aroma lingered pleasantly in the room.
"How's In-soo settling into training?"
Iñigo Chapé's question prompted Coach Jordi Calavera to set down his cup with a nod.
"Smoothly. He's got incredible passion and fight. Similar to Maurinho, but different style."
Coach Jordi Calavera was quite pleased with the newly signed midfielder, Hong In-soo. Rough around the edges, sure, but his edge was no less sharp than Maurinho's. From his perspective of bolstering the squad for promotion, he was deeply grateful for bringing in Hong In-soo.
"Speaking of which... any progress on Theo's replacement?"
Mention of Cha Tae-oh brought dark clouds over their faces. The vague farewell to Cha Tae-oh was now imminent. His massive contribution to the unbeaten run had them deeply worried the team would collapse without him. To minimize the crisis, they needed a striker with presence—even if not quite at Cha Tae-oh's level. Backup striker Alejandro Rigo's form was still poor.
"Scouting several candidates. Inquiring with agents steadily, reviewing videos for players off the beaten path."
Coach Jordi Calavera nodded slowly and ventured, "What about that player you mentioned last time?"
"Ah, Manuel Olivabas?"
Levante UD's striker, currently second in La Liga 2 scoring with fourteen goals. He'd been Coach Jordi Calavera's top target through the first half— one game left, but still. Not just goals; he contributed in the air and link-up play, making him the ideal Cha Tae-oh replacement.
But.
"Impossible. Levante won't let him go in winter without activating the buyout clause."
"How much is it?"
"Three million euros. Twice Theo's transfer fee."
Coach Jordi Calavera was struck anew by how much of a bargain Cha Tae-oh's fee was. Iñigo Chapé felt the same. If only they'd jacked up the buyout with a higher salary... regret kept surfacing.
"The silver lining: the player himself is positive about Alcorcón. Surprisingly little interest from other La Liga clubs."
"That's great news."
"...But it's still pie in the sky."
Coach Jordi Calavera pondered before saying, "If we can't land a decent forward this winter... maybe we skip it altogether."
"Without a striker?"
"Theo's exit will shake us, no doubt. Scoring will drop. But his influence has elevated the others' form. Even without the title, I think we can finish top two."
Stabilized defense, fluid passing, tighter organization. Compared to the season start, AD Alcorcón's players were markedly improved.
"Use the money from selling Theo plus next window's budget to snag Manuel then. Hard to find that quality for three million."
"I agree... but relying on Rigo and the B-team call-up is too risky."
"We'll manage. I trust the players. Better than a mediocre striker disrupting the team cohesion."
Like Gustavo Hossa had said, he swallowed the thought without voicing it. Iñigo Chapé seemed to catch the hint.
"If that's your thinking... fine for now."
"Tell Manuel too."
"Will do. No guarantee his mind won't change by summer."
They sipped their espressos again.
"This next match might be the last we see of Theo."
"......"
The heavy silence filled the room until—
Ring ring!
The phone shattered the quiet. Iñigo Chapé checked the caller ID, his face darkening further.
"...Navas."
"Ah..."
Click!
Iñigo Chapé answered. After a brief exchange—
"I-is that true?!"
His face lit up. He ended the call and said to Coach Jordi Calavera in an excited voice, "Just got word—if things go well, Theo might..."
"...until the end of January?"
Borja Navas's words made my eyes widen. The news he'd just relayed was shocking even to me.
Borja Navas's voice flowed from the phone speaker again.
- Yes. If we agree to the transfer, they'll accommodate you playing for Alcorcón until then.
"Wow..."
An exclamation slipped out. But one part didn't add up.
"Wait, isn't Borussia Dortmund desperate for a striker right now?"
The team offering to delay my joining and official announcement until late January—if we pre-agreed—was none other than Borussia Dortmund. They'd struggled without a main striker, failing to reach the UEFA Champions League knockout stage due to the lack of goals. I'd learned that from the presentation.
In their urgent need for a frontline attacker, waiting leisurely until January's end—and letting me play out the window at Alcorcón?
- My guess is... Bayern—Bayern Munich's nickname—is dominating at the top, way ahead of third-place Dortmund. They could rebound in the second half, but Dortmund figures it's tough.
Borja Navas continued smoothly.
- The gap to second isn't huge, but solid to fourth. They can hold for January.
"Got it."
- Dortmund explained: You make up a huge part of Alcorcón's strength, and it's their first shot at promotion since founding. Letting you play January helps them wrap up beautifully, so they're yielding that much.
From the invitation to Dortmund, accepting my terms, and now this consideration... I truly felt how badly Borussia Dortmund wanted me.
- One question, Theo?
"Sure, anything."
- Still attached to the PL?
I hesitated at the question.
...Even with this generosity, my desire to play in the Premier League hadn't vanished. I'd learn more there than in the Bundesliga.
But.
"If a PL club offers the same terms, I'd pick them. But if Dortmund's offer means I'd have to concede even one point to join a PL club..."
I paused a beat, finishing the clouded thought.
"...I'd choose Dortmund."