Chapter 59
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 59
Chapter Title Newcastle Fan Forum
Newcastle Fan Forum.
Looks like our team has produced the future G.O.A.T.
You mean Sunny? I agree.
Hes only played three games. Isnt calling him GOAT jumping the gun?
Have you actually watched the games?
Hes still young. He needs to show more.
Three games, two as a sub, and hes already got 5 goals and 3 assists. What more does he need to show?
And get thishes only 16.
16 years old is driving me insane.
My wife went nuts too, saying hes too cute.
England national team striker and Newcastles firstchoice forward Cromwell, who had been delivering solid performances, wasnt enoughhe slumped this season and then got sidelined by injury. Habib followed suit, and with Champions League qualification slipping away, Newcastle fans had been in mourning. But now the atmosphere was heating up again.
At a point where CL hopes seemed nonexistent, Yoon Taeyang burst onto the scene like a comet. Not content with a winning streak, he led them to a victory over redhot Chelsea, setting up a decisive clash with Arsenal for Champions League spots. It was more than enough to reignite the fire.
But there was a place burning even hotter than Europe Asia.
Not just Yoon Taeyangs home country of Korea, but China, Japan, and Southeast Asia too.
One might think it surprising that Southeast Asiaa soccer backwater that couldnt even qualify for World Cup finalswas going wild for Yoon Taeyang. But in truth, no region in Asia was more passionate about soccer than Southeast Asia.
Even at the twilight of their twilight careers, worldclass players once played in their leagues for a stint, a testament to their solid finances.
The downside? They had zero players making waves globally. So they lived vicariously through Asian stars.
To them, Yoon Taeyangs cometlike emergence from Korea was impossible to ignore.
His looks rivaled Kpop idols they adored, appealing across genders. Official jerseys werent even out yet, but fake Newcastle kits with number 47 on the back were already popping up everywhere.
China and Japans reactions were a bit different.
Why is it that even as we push soccer power initiatives and tenyear plans, we cant produce even one kid like that?
With our 1.6 billion population, why are we worse than a tiny country of 50 million?
What are you all talking about? Forgot we have Liu Wei? Scored 15 goals in Beijing Guoan this season.
Liu Weis 21, Yoon Taeyangs 16. Compare apples to apples. What was Liu Wei doing at 16?
Liu Wei went to Spain for soccer studies at that age!
He struggled a bit then, but now Liu Wei could match Yoon Taeyang in the Premier League.
Dont compare Liu Wei, Chinas top player at 21, to a 16yearold kid.
Liu Wei declared hell join the Premier League next season. Well see then.
Liu Wei will go to the Premier League and restore continental pride.
China was envious yet lost in absurd delusions.
Meanwhile, Japan.
I remember that kid. Back in the East Asia Youth Exchange, he turned our Japanese trio into scrap metal in seconds.
16 years old?
Derroa, my Derroa...
While were thrilled sending 100 kids to Europe, Korea produces the youngest Premier Leaguer and hattrick scorer ever. Why?
Ugh, looks like well have to endure Korean bragging for a while...
Is there any Japanese player who could break into the Premier League and score a hattrick right now?
Absolutely not wwww
We send 100 to Europe and celebrate, but not one striker who can scoreclassic Japan wwww
Unlike typical Korean players, his dribbling is South American, but his passing is pure Europe.
As a fellow Asian, its exciting to see a player like that emerge. Shame its not from Japan.
Korea has less than half our populationwhy do they keep producing stars like him?
Proof Japans an inferior nation wwwww
You a Zainichi up there?
Taiyosama
Taiyo is the best!!
Taiyosama making soccer the new Hallyu WWW
Newcastles next game is crucial.
Hilarious that a moneybags club is sweating Champions League spots WWW
Japan was mostly envious of Korea.
The key point interest in Taeyang was skyrocketing.
Newcastles marketing team wasnt about to let that slide.
The YouTube Newcastle United channel flooded with Taeyangrelated videos and shorts. They hurriedly produced jerseys with number 47.
They started flying off the shelves like they had wings.
This is a gift from Chairman Talic.
What can I say? A glamorous blonde secretary straight out of an old movie handed me something.
What is this?
Car... keys?
Yes, thats right.
Uh, Im... a minor, though?
Yes, I know.
She knows and still gives me car keys? What on earth?
Chairman Talic bought his first car with pocket money he got at 16. It brought back memories, so he picked this as a gift.
In the world, buying a car with 16yearold pocket money.
Uh, um.
Sure, at my age I could buy a domestic car with my weekly wages, but the keys in my hand were for a Porsche.
Thats the one right there.
I turned to looka red van.
The Porsche electric van that had been hyped as a concept car, dreamed of by so many.
It was chosen as a van to accommodate your family. Do you like it?
Uh... its too much.
The secretary shook her head firmly.
Its Chairman Talics way of showing appreciation to Newcastles promising future star for his brilliant performances. No need to feel burdened.
As if I wouldnt...
No, think about it to Chairman Talic, this car is pocket change, right?
Maybe even cheaper than gum?
Anyway, no burden at all.
If thats his sentiment, Ill gratefully accept.
The secretary smiled and left.
I snapped a photo and posted it to our family group chat.
Me Photo
Mom Pretty car. Whose is it?
Dad Whoa... isnt that a Porsche electric? Supposed to be impossible to get even with money.
Me Chairman Talic gave it to me.
Mom ???
Dad ...For real?
Me I dont have a license, so you two will have to use it.
Mom Uh, um... its nice, but Im scared How do you even drive that? Just brushing against something...
Dad Dads... not so sure either.
Me If it gets a scratch, just ask the chairman for service.
Me tooafter retiring, I had cars like this! Several!
Of course, I kept the fancy ones on display and drove the cheapest.
Man, sweet ride.
Whoa, you scared me. Matty?
Matteo Silva, dressed like a local bum, appeared out of nowhere, admiring the car.
I was scoping it out to take the kids for a drive, and here it is. A gift?
Yeah, something like that.
This chairmans got big balls. Makes sense hes royal like our club owner?
Have you gotten stuff like this, Matty?
Matteo Silva nodded.
Yeah, once or twice. Back when our great club owner was crown prince, he gifted them personally.
When our nowking club owner was still crown prince.
Around when I was in kindergarten?
Our club owner loves gold. Gold Lamborghinis, gold soccer setshe digs that stuff.
Makes sense. Cant use em daily, but perfect for displaying at home.
Yeah. He promised a gold statue of me after retirementplanning a memorial in my yard.
Why not build it at New St. James Park?
Matteo Silva shook his head.
I wanna see it anytime at home. Sip some booze, gaze at my statue.
Classy hobby.
When its ready, youre invited.
Sure. But Ill only go if Mrs. Silva makes paella?
Of course. Was it good?
Id eaten at Matteo Silvas once before.
Mrs. Silvas paella was mindblowing.
Better than most Id had in my Primera days.
Yeah.
Hmm. My wife will love that. Shes been singing about wanting Silva Jr. to grow up big like you.
Hm. Very possible, right?
Well, he takes after mehandsome kid, our Silva Jr.
No, I meant possible because he doesnt look like you.
What? You little punk?!
I dodged the charging Matteo Silva and headed to the locker room, then paused and looked back.
There he stood, chuckling like a weary old man.
Ugh... knees acting up bad?
Taeyang, whose ankles and knees had plagued him his whole career.
No way I didnt know where Matteo Silva was hurting.
One full 90, and his knees swelled even standing hurt. Times hed mutter, Ah, screw it, quit soccer.
But when push came to shove, regrets hit.
So close, yet so far.
Even hailed as Newcastle legend, zero trophiesmust burn inside.
Sigh, gotta get him a trophy next to that gold statue before he retires.
First, beat Arsenal for CL?
Id shone in three games already, so figured Id start the big one against Arsenal.
But whats this?
Cromwell was back.
The guy whod bombed this season but delivered consistently every year, clutch goals in big games.
Figured rusty postinjury, Id start.
Cromwell. No changesbest XI for Arsenal.
Rommel went with Cromwell.
Ha, this guy.
Fine, I get it.
Im young, might flop in a massive CL decider.
But Cromwell?
After watching him train, you still start him?
His oncesolid foots wrecked now?
Sure enough.
17th minute! Arsenal leads 20! Dylan Monroe! The leagues top striker inches toward golden boot!
In the away clash with Arsenal, wed gifted two goals in just 17 minutes.
Simple reason.
Perfect chance? Cromwell flubbed it hilariously. They converted two of three.
Glanced at Rommelface etched with anxiety.
This guys probably toast... even if we qualify?