Chapter 34
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 34
Chapter Title Scouts Circle and Derby Fever
Unlike the Premier League, where 20 teams play a grueling 38 rounds in a tighter schedule than any other league, the youth league is divided into northern and southern conferences of 13 teams each, running a relatively relaxed 24 rounds.
This was to avoid overburdening the kids with too many games.
That said, compared to youth leagues in other countries, it was still tight enough to call it the Premier League standard.
Just as the Premier League has two cup competitions, the youth league runs two cups of its own.
On top of that, the youths of teams competing in the Champions League and UEFA Cup are grouped into the same pools as their senior sides from U18 level, forcing them to play a sort of Champions League youth tournament.
Of course, when you look at it from the individual players perspective, its not that tough.
The youth league exists, after all, for the growth of the boys.
To give as many kids as possible a chance, they rotate players frequently.
Naturally, that doesnt mean opportunities are handed out equally.
Inequality in opportunities is what provides motivation and a platform for growth.
In the midst of those unequal chances, Taeyang had notched four goals in his debut against Liverpool to secure the win, and from then on, he started getting subbed in as a secondhalf supersub.
Round 2. Subbed in against Stoke City at the 14th minute of the second half 1 goal, 2 assists.
Round 3. Subbed in against Wolverhampton at the 19th minute of the second half 2 assists.
Round 4. Started the second half against Leeds United and scored 2 goals.
Across four matches 7 goals, 4 assists.
It was unbelievable that a 14yearold could put up those numbers in U18.
Naturally, Taeyangs fame spread far and wide across the Premier League.
Even though he was too young for a pro contract, on days when the boy had a game, scouts from big clubs would drop by Little Benton to watch him closely.
And that was the least of it.
Excuse me, are you Sunnys grandfathers?
People were starting to approach Sunnys family just to get a line to the boy.
The prime targets were Taeyangs grandfathers, who showed up at the pub practically every day.
The grandfathers would arrive around lunchtime, get thoroughly soaked in the sweetthenbitter kick of brown ale, and enjoy black pudding as a sundae substitute.
Black pudding was starting to get treated as weird food even in England, but since it was similar to blood sausage, the old men became regulars at the only pub that sold it.
Heh heh, another customer.
But not one were thrilled to see, eh?
Taeyangs paternal grandfather, Yoon Changsu, set down his pint and eyed the darkhaired man wearing a polite smile that didnt reach his eyes.
What brings you here?
Answering in the practical English hed picked up at the pub over the past year, the man replied.
Im Ben Frickson, a youth scout from Arsenal.
Arsenal? Wheres that club at?
London.
At the word London, maternal grandfather Kim Cheolhan twitched his eyebrow.
London, the capital of England. Down south?
Cant even stick to the north anymorenow theyre sending scouts from the south?
You got that right.
Hearing the grandfathers exchange, Ben Frickson breathed a silent sigh of relief.
So far, only northern teams had made contact with the boys family.
No, wait.
Actually, thinking about itMan City, Man United, and Liverpool had already talked to these grandfathers, hadnt they?
Three of the Big Seven in contact, and one already holding the player... not a great sign.
With Sunnys performances, its impossible not to take notice. You gentlemen know that better than anyone, right?
Well, thats true enough...
Our grandson can sure kick a ball.
Its more than kicking a ball well. Hes being hailed as the Premier Leagues top prospect.
Ben Frickson wasnt just paying lip service.
What else would you call a kid topping the charts in U18 at age 14 if not the Premier Leagues best young talent?
Ahem, our grandson is doing well.
Yeah, he is. But thats not the point.
Yoon Changsu glanced toward the counter and raised his voice.
Arsenal, you say? This?
At that moment, the curtain behind the counter flew open.
Whatd you say...? Arsenal?
The man who emerged from behind it had a bald head gleaming under the pubs hazy lights, a sharp scar across his scalp that made you wonder about its story, a bushy beard and muscles like a Viking reborn to invade England.
He was none other than Peter, the pub ownera former SAS special forces soldier.
Growling in a voice like thunder, he said.
Whos this, old timers? What Thamesriverratscumbag is that?
Scanning the room, Peter spotted Ben Frickson and unleashed a killing glare.
His battlehardened eyes were terrifying.
Enough to make Ben Fricksons shoulders hunch involuntarily.
You? The one eyeing Sunny?
...Pardon? What are you talking about?
Who the hell do you think you are, trying to take Sunny? Get outnow!
What? Take Sunny? Who the bastard is this?
Lets see that bastards face!
Hearing his bellow, the Toons scattered around the pubs corners began rising one by one, gathering around.
Toons have unmatched loyalty to their team, but theyre not big on the hardcore hooligan or ultras stuff.
That didnt mean they rolled over and took it quietly, though.
As they closed in with scary faces, Ben backed away in panic.
Peter grabbed him by the scruff and dragged him out the door.
Hmph, the nerve.
Peter dusted off his hands as he came back in and told the grandfathers.
Old timers, no matter how much those guys sweettalk you, you cant let Sunny go. No club with that kind of money treats him as good as Newcastle does. You know that, right?
Peter, who had stumbled into a youth game at Little Benton by chance and fallen head over heels for Taeyangs play, stared at the two grandfathers with desperate eyes.
To him, Taeyang was the teams future incarnate.
The grandfathers nodded at the pleading Peter.
You bet. We know. Nowhere beats our Newcastle. Were proper Toons ourselves!
Right? Ugh...
Ahem, throats a bit dry, though?
Yoon Changsu subtly slid his empty glass forward, and Peter picked up the two drained pints.
Aw, gotta top you up. As long as Sunny doesnt leave, you two get my house brown ale free for life.
Heh heh heh, thanks.
Peters brown ale is the worlds best. No doubt.
Whether the grandfathers stayed for Newcastle or the brown ale was anyones guess.
Meanwhile, as Taeyang started shining in U18, word about the boy began reaching Korea.
The first to catch wind were fans of the Newcastle United Korea fansite, KToon.
It was born from a union of fan cafesrare for a midtier club in Koreathat exploded after oil money poured in, plus the DC Korea Newcastle gallery.
Realtime Newcastle news central.
Sunnyas Taeyang was nicknamedhad highlights on the Newcastle United YouTube and SNS, so fan interest was skyhigh.
Naturally, soccer YouTube channels started uploading his clips, drawing even more eyes.
Korea had a kid like this?
I know him lol Last year he carried the East Asia Youth Exchange alone lol Went to England in the meantime lol
Damn hes insanely good
Not easy doing that against kids years older at 15
Saw his 4 goals vs Liverpool? Insane
In FM Liverpool U18 is OP, random 9 potentials on like 3 guys, but if they pop good ones they get wrecked by this kid lol
Since Park Mingyu, Koreas pumping out monster prospects. Golden generation incoming?
Hes only 15. Dont jinx it, just watch.
Most said it was too early to tell, but the growth of a kid who might represent the future was enough to excite any soccer fan.
Little Benton was buzzing for once.
Why?
Simple.
The matchground was packed.
More people than U16 games, huh? Cant be helped. Watching kids who are a bit more grownup fight is more fun than little ones showing off. Problem is, youre still a kid...
No.
It wasnt the crowd making it noisyit was that damn Joachim Chalret.
The guy couldnt shut up to save his life.
From arriving at training, chatting with staff, through training, showers, meals, right up to clocking outhe just yapped nonstop.
God knows what he does at home. Probably talks in his sleep.
Man, lots of people today. Its noisy.
Youre louder than anyone.
My ears were about to fall off, so I edged away from Chalret, but then the stands called out to me.
Sunny! Goals today, yeah!
Chase those alley cats outta Toon turf!
Sunderland had the nickname Black Cats.
Strays werent viewed fondly here either, but Newcastle fans called Sunderland alley cats as an insult.
Come to think of it, Id never seen a black cat among Newcastles strays.
Did black cats get weeded out for survival in Newcastle?
Anyway, point was, Toons hated Sunderland that much.
Sunny! Hattrick, please!
Came here skipping league games just to see those bastards crushed! Give us a hattrick!
Toons passion for the TyneWear Derby had them ditching New St. James Park for Little Benton.
Made sensetheyd been that hyped for U16 too.
Sunny! You listening?
I headed toward the yelling uncle in the stands.
Staff rushed over to stop me, but I waved them off and approached.
Oh! You were listening?
Uncle, youre the guy selling at City Centre market, right?
You remember?
You always throw in an extra every time.
He beamed, like See? to his buddies.
I told him.
Cant promise a hattrick, but well beat Sunderland today for sure.
Music to my ears. Never lose to Sunderland!
I grinned back.
And from now on too. No losses in games I play.
They might not know it yet, but once Im in the first team, no Sunderland matchups anywayso fan service bold claim.
Leaving the cheering crowd, I eyed the pitch.
Warmup had my body fired up. All that was left was to play.
The derby vibe with the fans ignited my fire without me realizing.
Yoon, listen up. I acknowledge your dribbling, but dribbles and tricks just waste time. Today, Id appreciate if you held back. And no busting lines unless necessary.
DeGuals wordsstill prim and proper despite my performancesnearly doused my flames.
Ugh.