Chapter 113
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 113
Chapter Title Champions League Quarterfinal Draw
The Champions League round of 16 wrapped up, and the quarterfinal draw took place.
Chelsea VS Milan
Sevilla VS Manchester UTD
Real VS Juventus
PSG VS Newcastle UTD
Wed beaten Munich at RB Leipzig to advance, and now our next opponent was Paris SaintGermain.
What the hell? Did they rig the draw or something?
No joke, for real.
Munich was bad enough, but PSG is just a straightup garbage club when it comes to soccerno sugarcoating it.
Calling them a team that buys everything with money isnt an exaggeration.
Truth be told, Manchester City isnt much better.
Theyve been investigated for FFP violations multiple times, after all.
But PSG takes the cake.
Theyve been splashing cash like they dont even know what an investigation is.
These days, theyre hoarding players and catching all kinds of flak for it.
Theyre probably one of the clubs with as many haters as fans.
For starters, they had Dillon Monroe, Feliciano, Basil Gradinaru, and Lavros Chiligerisall four guys who were memed in Korea as the worlds top strikers.
Two of the handful of players truly vying for the title of worlds best striker, on the same team.
Having beaten Munich already, facing a squad like this... I have no idea how itll go, but I bet the managers clutching his head right now.
Our manager... his head already looked pretty sparse. Hope this doesnt make him go bald.
Pushing the Champions League aside, our team played our league match.
The opponent Manchester City.
The same team Id put six past, the one that seemed destined to keep plummetingthey were still holding tenth place.
Theyd reinforced in the winter, but to regain their old form, theyd probably need a full generational overhaul. Still, you cant sleep on them, I guess?
I busted my ass running all game, and it ended 00.
It wasnt that our team underperformed it was that City, fresh off getting smacked in our last meeting, scrapped like hell to salvage some pride.
At this point, we were sitting pretty at 73 points in first. Chelsea, whod been nipping at our heels, had slipped once and were on 69four points back.
Below them came Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool, and Leicester in order, but they were far from title contenders. It was still a twohorse race between us and Chelsea.
Next up, we had the FA Cup quarterfinals.
I got some rest, and the team edged Leeds 10 to reach the semis.
Weird, right?
We barely paid attention to the FA Cup, rotating in squad players and reserves en masse, and we still won somehow.
At this rate, we could aim for the final.
Anyway, with the league schedule done, I was packing my bags.
How long to Denmark from here?
Two or three hours with a layover in London, I think?
Not exactly a short hop.
I shrugged at Moms comment.
Better than flying to Korea.
True that.
For Asian players, national team duty is no picnic.
Most Amatches are in Asia, and all that backandforth drains your mind and body.
Even in my past life, Id come back from Korea feeling like my body wasnt mine.
My knees and ankles were already shot back then, so fighting through the pain on the plane wasnt an exaggeration.
But hey, two or three hours? Manageable.
Or so I thoughtno need, apparently.
The club called.
Our ownerSaudis kingwas lending me his private jet.
Wait, why?
He hopes youll play well in the Amatches and return healthy to give your all for the club.
I nodded at the secretary relaying Chairman Taliks orders from the king.
Keep yourself in one piece and win us the league, got it?
Not many players get treatment like this, but its not unheard of.
PSG and City have done it a few times.
Some players even have their own jets.
Anyway, direct from Newcastle Airport would make it comfier.
But I was still shocked.
The kings jet blew past my wildest expectations.
Id never been on anything like it.
It was basically a plane built for one guy.
Well, aside from whoever had to crew it.
No separate house needed.
Bedroom, shower, living room, dining area, loungeall there.
Even a private bar.
Calling it a house that flies wouldnt be wrong.
I eyed the overthetop plane, then figured since hed lent it, might as well go all in. Crawled into the bed.
Who cares about plane sights? Nothing beats a plush bed.
Napped briefly, woke up, and grabbed my phone.
WiFi you can use on Korean flightseven economybut the speed here was another level.
What? Words already out?
Yoon Taeyang Joins National Team on Newcastle Owners Private Jet.
Newcastles VIP Treatment for Yoon Taeyang Saudi Kings Jet for National Duty.
Newcastle Hes Our TreasureFrom Owner to Lowliest Staff, Well Do Anything for Him.
News of me taking the owners jet was everywhere.
Club leaked it to brag?
No clue on the details, but it didnt hurt me.
Boosted my standing even more.
Who else in the national team gets this from a big club?
Not even that bastard Park Mingyu.
Speaking of, hed be joining too.
Gonna be some mind games in camp.
Id see when we met.
Landed in Denmark, deplaned, hopped into the Newcastleprovided car, and headed to the hotel where the national team was staying.
Barely stepped into the lobby, and spotlights hit me.
Korean reporters stared with sparkling eyes.
Come to think of it, first time facing Korean press like this.
Might chat briefly sometimes, but Newcastle shielded methe young playerfrom most interviews, Korean or otherwise.
Only real chance was postMOM awards.
Hence the criticism of them overprotecting me.
Anyway, no Newcastle to save me now.
Whatever. Didnt faze me.
Im used to reporters.
Especially the trash ones.
Got pummeled by them plenty in my past life.
Yoon Taeyang! Youngest ever national team calluphows it feel?
I paused, glanced around. Staff would fetch me soon, but a quick interview wouldnt hurt.
Thrilled to finally wear the Taeguk mark Ive dreamed of since I was a kid.
Marković says hell build the team around youwhat do you think?
I think its about development. Him saying Im the center? Probably just cause Im the youngest.
Not a plan just for you?
Exactly. Soccers not soloits 11 players, the whole squad, and the fans together.
Formulaic stuff, but the reporters seemed pleased.
Young kid blows up into a star, stays humblegood enough?
Sure, a few eyed me like theyd rip me apart if I slipped, but nothing major. Blame the age.
My image was too clean, too few haters for clickbait.
Quick interview done, waved goodbye, and headed inside.
No time to drop bagsI was summoned to the conference room.
Left my suitcase with staff and went in. All eyes on me.
Locked eyes with the foreigner at the front, watching me.
Ivica Marković.
Early to mid40s, tops?
Seen photos, but first in person.
Beyond skinnysharp, neuroticlooking.
Type who lives on antacids and painkillers.
Oh, and hed flip if there was dust or clutter.
Cant judge by looks, but...
Camp started 12 minutes ago. We havent gotten into details, so well proceed without preamble.
Looks can tell, sometimes.
Take this seat.
Manager pointed it out himself.
Right in front of him.
The spot teachers pets take in school.
I prefer the back.
Scratched my head, shuffled over.
Players gazes zeroed in.
No one over 30, across the board.
Clear intent anyone who cant play in 2038 is out from the jump.
Just the European contingentor future ones from my memoriesplenty here.
No guarantee theyll all make it, but every player worth a European move was in this room.
Prime example Park Mingyu, glancing away now.
Then Jo Dongho, in Saudi Arabia but heading to the Netherlands next season.
Oh, him too.
Shin Hoseong.
One of Koreas alltime great keepers.
Tactical flaws, but great feet, kicks, and shotstopping basics.
First Korean keeper to Europe.
Kim Taehyun killing it in Portugal now, Kim Hyunsoo in Germany, Lee Hyunseok, Kim Ho, Jang Kihwan whos Portugalbound? Wait, Spain for Jang, Yoo Sungjae from Saudi to Italy.
Sounds flashy, huh?
Reality one or two aside, halfsuccesses or flops, ending up in K League or European backwaters.
Tsk. But who knows now.
Their skills werent bad in my past life.
Whyd they all flame out?
Not the playerscircumstances piled up.
At the core the Ji Youngsoo line, toying with players, bullying, burying them.
Biggest turds gone, and weve got this unexpected good manager. Maybe their paths change?
Feeling optimistic, the manager scanned us and spoke.
Denmark, Netherlands.
Naming our friendly opponents, he continued coldly.
You cant win.
Provocative words.