Chapter 25
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 25
Chapter Title The Eldest Son Craves Soccer
After being notified that Id be starting in the upcoming match against Manchester City, Iel Harts malice toward me only grew stronger.
Well, that was understandable.
Because of me, hed been demoted from starter to warming the bench.
He mustve thought of himself as the undisputed starter and ace, but a threeyearsyounger newbie like me had pushed him out. How could he not be pissed?
But there was nothing to be done.
In todays practice match, the guywho now symbolized a substitute with his fluorescent vestsquandered a golden scoring chance right in front of goal with an overly forceful shot that sailed way off into the distance.
Sure, I had no idea how well hed played before I arrived, but at least the Iel Harts Id seen couldnt stay composed in front of the net.
Did he excel at linkup play or holdup work?
Nope.
Id admit his footwork was decent and his physicality solid, but he couldnt make use of them. He was selfish and egotistical.
The type to be phased out of modern soccer faster than anyone.
Now I knew why he didnt appear in my memories from before the regression.
Iel Harts kept declining, while I shone in every practice match and training session, so the teams atmosphere began tilting toward the Spanish faction bit by bit.
And that Spanish faction started revolving around me.
Thats how my influence grew within the youth team.
But I couldnt settle for this.
My goal wasnt to lord over the U16sit was to break into the pro team as fast as possible and rake in the cash.
To do that, I had to keep developing and performing even better.
I couldnt afford to slack off in training.
As if recognizing my drive, the Newcastle staff took care of me in the best possible environment.
Youre still growing, so theres no need to push for explosive acceleration or hard braking that strains your knees. Getting a chronic injury now could be fatal.
They taught me techniques and management to protect my body for my future.
Looking at your scoring positions so far, theyre similar to those where your countrys legendary player, Son, racked up a lot of goals. Theyre deadly spots with the right technique, but if your scoring gets too predictable, defenders will start marking you there more.
They even analyzed my subtle scoring positions and routes to teach me variety.
Here, this is your lunchbox. A nutritionist will manage your meals from now on. It might be tough, and it might not taste as good as your moms cooking, but for your future, make sure to eat it for breakfast and dinner.
They even handled my meals.
It might not taste as good as Moms, they said, but the lunchbox from Newcastle was delicious.
The nutritionist had studied at a top worldclass university, and the chef had worked at a fivestar hotel, or so I heard.
How about trying yoga for mental and physical stability? Itll help with flexibility too.
Want to try meditation? It builds composure.
Sometimes it got a bit over the top.
Yoga and meditation?
I figured yoga was fine, so I agreed, but I politely declined meditation.
The match is coming up soon. The U16 league allows free jersey number changes. Got a number you want?
It was a league, but more like an exchange tournament, so the U16 league didnt have separate player registrations or fixed numbers.
Of course, international tournaments would be different, but anyway.
I thought for a moment, then grinned.
Id like to use the number I wore in Korea.
What number?
Number 7.
Oh, thats not an easy one to give out. It already has an owner.
Yeah, it definitely wasnt easy.
So how do I get number 7?
Surprise me. Then Ill make it happen quick.
I nodded at the coachs words.
Ill do that.
I might have to compete for this number over and over throughout my career.
But Id decided from now on, my number for life would be 7.
Why?
Soccer without competition? Sounds boring, right?
Jason Wood had lived in Newcastle upon Tyne since his greatgrandfathers time.
His soontobeborn son would probably grow up here and settle down too.
A pureblooded Toon.
What kind of people were ToonsNewcastle folk?
Soccer fanatics.
They loved the game so much that Newcastle United, from a city of just 300,000, packed a 60,000seat stadium that sold out every home game, with season tickets selling out early.
Pureblooded Toon Jason was obsessed with soccer too.
A team win meant a happy week a loss meant a miserable one.
Oh, and.
Wood Butcher Shop Beef 25 Off
His familys butcher shop ran sales on meat depending on the teams results.
25 off? Guess Newcastle won yesterday?
As Jason hummed and arranged freshly butchered beef, a young boys voice caught his ear.
He looked up to see a prettyfaced East Asian kid staring at him.
Oh yeah. Not just any winwe smashed Aston Villa 30.
The boy nodded and said,
If we beat Sunderland, do you discount more?
Of course. If we win 50 or better, we go 40 off sometimes.
I see.
Anyway, new face around here. Where in Asia you from?
Korea.
Oh! Korea! Sons country?
Yes.
Tourist?
Nah, I live here.
Jason eyed the boy curiously. Spotting an East Asian in this small city was rare.
Asians rarely visited as tourists, and residents were even rarer.
Huh, now that you mention it
On closer look, the kids clothes looked familiar.
It was his beloved clubs training jacket.
You in Newcastle youth?
Yeah, thats right.
Whoa, not academyyouth?
Even accounting for how young East Asians looked, he seemed academybound, not youth.
Youth for sure. U16.
Oh! Must be quite the talent.
Made sensethey wouldnt bring him all the way from Korea otherwise.
As Jason nodded, a woman who looked like the boys mom approached.
Uh how much?
With her awkward English, the kid stepped in.
How much for all this?
The mom wasnt fluent, but the kid spoke better English.
Smart kid.
Jason tallied it up, then tossed in a chunk of fresh beef.
This is on the houseeat well and play well. Grow up strong for the team.
Taeyang bowed politely and said,
I will. Oh, if you get time, come watch the youth game at Little Benton. Were playing Man City this weekend. Im starting.
Little Benton was where Newcastles youth academy had been before St. James Park, now home to the youth teams stadium.
A small venue built so the youngsters could get used to crowds.
Sounds fun.
Ill make time.
Yeah, have a good day!
Jason smiled warmly as the boy grinned brightly and left with his mom.
Hang on, should I actually go? Its been forever.
Having once watched youth games when he couldnt snag senior tickets, Jason felt intrigued.
Perfect timinghed missed out on tickets.
Yeah, lets do it. Good opponent too.
Jason decided to fill his missed home game with a youth match.
Watching Newcastles future stars was a joy, but the opponents were no slouches.
Manchester City, no less.
Since the oil money poured in, City had dominated the league and remained a top title contender.
Practically a oneteam show.
Theyd also become a youth powerhouse.
Producing stars like Phil Foden and others starting in big leagues, their youth teams claimed to be Englands best by age group.
English media hyped them bigtime Emmanuel Ezequiel leading as the next great centerback, flanked by Henry Domenge, Luke Young, and more.
All Englishborn, hailed as Englands future.
Newcastles youth?
Jason sighed at the thought.
Promising prospects were emerging by generation, but none had made a national name early.
Iel Harts, maybe? Thats about it?
The only familiar name was Iel Harts.
Kids got potential, though.
From a longtime fans view, though, Iel Harts didnt seem promising.
Arrogant for his age, no real future.
What about that kid?
The second East Asian hed seen at Newcastle United. A little Korean kid too.
Both Koreans, funnily enough.
Nostalgic memories of the last decent Korean player passed the time, and soon it was the weekend.
Jason headed to Little Benton for the youth game.
Little Benton was a modest stadium fit for a bottomtier club, almost too good for youth.
Who watched youth games?
Anyone but here in Newcastle, Toons did.
Not hordes, but those craving blackandwhite jerseys showed up regardless.
Henrik! Couldnt get tickets either?
Jason? Thought you had season tickets?
Spotting his mate in the stands, Jason hurried over and sat.
Told you I missed out this time. No headsup, and here we are.
Henrik was a Newcastle lifer like Jason, a true Toon, schoolmates growing up.
Yeah. Beer?
Cheers.
As Henrik cracked open a can, the Toon kids took the field.
So many from the news on that team.
Henrik eyed Citys prized prospects enviously Jason nodded with a wry smile.
Still, our youth has improved loads. Better facilities than Citywell produce top talents someday.
True. And doing well now doesnt guarantee later, right?
Yeah.
Emmanuel Ezequiel looked nearcomplete, probably fine longterm, but who knew.
Plenty of pros flamed out.
The whistle blew, and the game kicked off. Henrik, watching the pitch, said in surprise,
Weve got an Asian in our youth?
New kid.
Oh yeah? Seen him?
Came by my shop recently.
Right Waitwhat? Whoa!
Henriks eyes widened as he gawked at the field.
What the? Ugh! Wow! Insane!
The Asian boy was putting on a stunning show on the pitch.