Chapter 50
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 50
Chapter Title The Eldest Son Craves Soccer
The first team?
Really?
Dad stopped eating and stared at me in shock.
Mom was just as surprised.
Thats the pro team, right?
Yes, Father. It is.
No way, our grandson already? Hes only just turned seventeen, isnt he?
Exactly, Dad.
Both grandfathers were stunned too.
Having a son and grandson in soccer, all four of them knew full well how rare it was to break into the Premier League first team.
Ive joined firstteam training, but playing matches will be tough.
What? Then why promote him to the first team? He was doing fine in the second team.
Dad, theres a huge quality gap between firstteam training and secondteam training. Theyre grooming him with top facilities and staff even if he plays games with the second team. Right, Taeyang?
Yeah, thats right.
Oh, is that how it works? Then its a good thing!
It sure was.
I hadnt expected to make the first team this quickly.
Of course, as I said earlier, I couldnt guarantee a Premier League debut.
Unless it was the very tail end of the season, in a match with no real bearing on points.
Or unless the entire attacking line got injured and they had no choice but to throw in a sixteenyearold.
Still, I was satisfied.
Compared to how urgently Id wondered when Id make the first team and play in the Premier League, now I was training with them while waiting for my chance.
The training facilities were outstanding.
No matter how worldclass Newcastle Uniteds youth setup was, it couldnt compare to the firstteam facilities dripping with investment.
Dont pick fights with the seniors today! Listen to the manager, coaches, and captain! Got it?
As I finished eating and got ready to leave, Mom fussed over me with a worried look.
Mom, Im not a kid anymore
Aigoo, to me you still look like big ol Yeoreum.
Ugh, Mom.
Yeoreum was getting more and more of a troublemaker as he grew jammineaterlike.
Just recently, hed smashed a school window with a cricket bat, hadnt he?
Im heading out!
I hurried to the training ground.
What about school?
Of course not.
In America, neglecting studies means no more sports. In Korea, K League youth are tied to schools so you cant skip. But Europe was way more lenient on academics.
Id quit school as soon as I finished middle school.
That let me head straight to training.
The firstteam training ground.
Aside from a quick visit yesterday, today was my first official day.
Even after playing in Portugal and Spain, stepping into the worlds top leagues firstteam setup for the first time had me thrilled.
The locker room
I entered the locker room Id only toured before and found my spot.
YOON
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In one corner hung a uniform marked with my name and number.
This is my spot.
Even if it was just the training locker room, having my own space felt special.
In my past life before regression, growing up without my own space from childhood, I treasured personal spots like this.
Oh! Youre here, Taeyang?
I was unpacking and changing into training gear when a familiar voice rang out.
Matty.
It was Matteo Silva.
Why was this old guy so diligent?
The team icon and veteran arrived first, as always.
Man, the day wed share the pitch has finally come. Lately my bodys been creaking so much I thought Id retire without ever playing with you.
You say that, but your performances have been solid.
Pfft, ten years ago Id have done twice as well.
Ten years ago, hed been twentyseven.
A real demon on the field.
In my past life, Id retired at thirtytwo Korean age.
Lasting that long with a battered body was a miracle.
Hows the locker room? Amazing, right? Back when I was a kid, ours was nothing like this. You know, back then
The old demon on the pitch was pulling a latteis rant.
I let it go in one ear and out the other when a welcome face entered the locker room.
Antonio Ricella, the giant guarding Newcastles goal.
Well, if it isnt the kid finally making it up here?
He grinned.
Intimidating as hell.
That face just grew more imposing with age.
No wonder hed taken the captains armband from Matteo Silva this season.
He could lead the squad with his mug alone.
Now we can bet every day.
Ricella shook his head at my words.
Betting goals with you crushes my confidence. Daily? Nightmare. Lets make it once a month, special event.
Then youll only beat me twelve times a year.
Hmph.
Ricella snorted and sat at his spot.
Familiar faces filed in after.
Iban Redeli, Omar Leonardo, Dida, Arnoldguys whod been at Newcastle since I first arrived.
Omar was shocked anew at my height.
Id been way shorter than him once now I was just a smidge taller. Guess it hadnt sunk in for the bachelor that kids grow fast.
Anyway, the locker room vibe was decent, considering the seasons results.
How were results?
We sat fifth.
Nine points off fourthplaced Arsenal.
With only eleven games left, that gap was huge.
Still, the mood was good for the situation.
Lots of reasons, but Matteo Silvas return bonding the team for three straight wins was huge.
The Toons were all thumbsup, yelling As expected of Mr. Toon!
Even in this upbeat atmosphere, some werent thrilled.
The starting striker Jason Cromwell and his rival for the spot, secondchoice Habib Delab.
Shockingly, both were bombing.
Cromwell, whod been with the club seven seasons and scored at least ten league goals every yearmore across all compshad just six all season.
Delab, whod joined two seasons back gunning for Cromwells spot, had gotten chances replacing the slumping Cromwell but managed only two goals in ten games.
No wonder they were grumpy.
They had no ground to complain if released now.
Delab maybe, but releasing Cromwell after seven years? Too harsh?
This was the Premier League, where a Champions League spot was harder than winning other leagues.
A club like ours, securing Champs tickets yearly, wouldnt cling to underperformers.
Especially with our bottomless budget.
Yeah, they might not dump Cromwell right away out of loyalty, but Delab gets released, Cromwell drops to backup, and a new signing takes the starting role.
If he doesnt seize it, hell either leave on his own or get nonrenewed.
Sad, but if I cant recall their bigleague bigclub careers easily from my past life, their twilights here.
Man, Id love to snag that spot.
Unlikely.
Just give my all in the now.
That mindset let me blend into firstteam training smoothly.
The manager and staff doted on me, pouring resources into my growth. Captain Ricella and spiritual leader Matteo Silvas support helped too.
Then, before round 28, slumping Cromwell got injuredout for the season.
Chance for Delab.
In round 28, Delab ran like hell, determined not to blow it, scored, and led a win.
Round 29 one goal, one assist.
Round 30 brace.
Round 31 another goal, turning things around.
Four games, five goals, one assistinsane run proving his worth, fueling wins.
But if hed seized it fully, displacing Cromwell as Newcastles fixed striker, Id remember him.
He had two fatal flaws.
He could ride momentum hot but was inconsistent.
And that fourgame explosion showed elite talent, but a glass body that couldnt sustain it.
Round 32 quiet.
Round 33 goalless silence again.
Team didnt lose, Arsenal slipped, closing to four pointsbut without the striker scoring, Champs League in five games was a pipe dream.
Then opportunity knocked unexpectedly for me.
Round 34.
Leicester City, home.
Delab, goalless two games and desperate, overcommitted on a dribble at 71 and hit the deck.
Clutching his hamstring.
Coincidentally, no backup for that spot on the bench.
Except me.
Could it be?
I looked at the manager with eager eyes he was already eyeing me.
No way, really?
August Rommel, Newcastles longtime manager, wore his discomfort plainly.
Looked good, then boominjured.
Whyd we sign that guy?
Shouldve listened to the sports science teams highinjuryrisk warning?
But the talent was too tantalizing.
Gazing at Delab stretchered off, that oncedazzling promise faded, Rommel sighed and checked the clock.
With injury time, about twentyfive minutes left?
00. Leicester werent pushovers, but a point wouldnt cut it.
Shouldnt have subbed Matteo Silva.
Shift Omar central for now?
He eyed the bench.
End of season, injury ward.
One backup attacker sat there, but fresh from injury. Not fully fit.
Only for absolute doordie, not now.
Then his eyes caught Taeyang.
The boy the macholooking, hardass secondteam coachinitially against his callupfell for after a few games, demanding firstteam promotion. Newcastles muchhyped future.
Plus, the sports science team that vetoed Delab for fragility rated this kids physique fine for firstteam.
Young, pretty face made him look babyish, but size and build looked solid up close.
Yeah, Leicester had drought too, failing to pierce our stout defense for games.
Keep defense tight, snag a goal for the point? Wait, the win.
No real options on bench anyway.
Alright, then.
Taeyang, youre on. Get ready.
Time for a gamble.
Premier League 3334 season.
Round 34 vs Leicester City.
Newcastles future made history with his debut.