Chapter 88
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 88
Chapter Title Premier League Summit
Keh heh heh.
Artelli burst into laughter the moment he saw Taeyangs goal.
He ignored the sharp glare from Heath Jonathan, who had been watching the match from the side and irritably stamped his foot upon seeing the goal.
Yeah, thats Taeyang.
Taeyang wasnt a player you could calculate with stats and probabilities.
It might seem presumptuous to say that to a boy who had racked up terrifying goal tallies like hattricks, glut, and double hattricks, but Taeyang still had so much more to show.
This boy was boundless.
People would think of Taeyang only in terms of his flashy breakthroughs, goals, and the occasional brilliant assist, but anyone who had watched him since his youth days would know.
Theyd know that Taeyang could score, pass, and control the gamehe could do it all.
And beyond that, this boy had so much more to reveal.
The reason Artelli knew this yet deliberately didnt draw out everything from Taeyang was because he hoped this absurd genius wouldnt lose interest in soccer.
For now, he just let him play however he wanted.
Of course, if it ruined the team, hed advise and interfere, but the boy led the team to victory even when playing freely.
And now.
For the first time since his Premier League debut, the boy had utilized a teammate.
In his own uniquely outlandish way, no less.
Heath Jonathan, the manager, knew this too.
A sight Ive never seen before.
No record would show Taeyang ever breaking through using another player, no matter how far back you searched.
It was almost regrettable that youth records werent kept in such detail.
No, this was the first monster with such a short career that youd even need to dig that far back.
But theres no other way.
Whatever method Taeyang used, right now, they had no choice but to stick with it.
Moreover, with so many other dangerous players besides Taeyang demanding attention, he couldnt focus even more on him.
There was plenty to think about, but annoyingly, the match pressed on swiftly.
The mightiest spear has finally pierced the mightiest shield! Yoon Taeyang, blocked by Chelsea all first half, pulls it off!
What an astonishing play. Where do those ideas come from? Incredible.
Some might grow anxious or angry from conceding, but Chelsea focused on staying as calm as possible and sticking to the plan.
Lure Newcastle in and target the space behind.
Newcastles defense was undoubtedly fragile.
And the chance theyd been desperately waiting for arrived.
Confirming the fullback, midfielder, and forwards all pushing up for aggressive pressure, Wanderley slotted a long pass between the midfield and defensive lines.
High but fast, the ball dropped perfectly into position, and Chelseas striker Baufftini seized it, driving forward.
Arnold would be tough, so he targeted Zenas.
Zenas charged aggressively at Baufftini.
Baufftini shrugged him off easily and, dodging the onrushing Arnold, eyed the goal.
Now.
A halfbeat early shot.
Baufftini thought there was no better shooting timing and swung his leg with all his might.
The result...
Lichera blocks it! As expected, the one saving the team in crisis is Newcastles guardian deity!
Lichera caught it with ease.
No matter how shaky the defense, the ultimate reason Newcastle could concede so few was this.
Lichera, Newcastles guardian deity.
The guardian grabbed the ball and immediately booted it long with power.
And the guardian excelled at goal kicks too. In one motion, he targeted the space behind Chelseas line, which had pushed up high for a chance.
Chelsea and Newcastle players turned from their own half and sprinted busily toward Chelseas end.
Yoon Taeyang is fastest! Yoon Taeyang gets the ball! Oh, the keepers off his line right in front!
In the counter, Taeyang calmly assessed the keeper rushing right at him after taking possession.
The keeper was close, but the goal far a lofted shot would be tricky.
Chip him?
He pondered briefly.
Taeyang!
Hearing the voice from the side, Taeyang grinned and unhesitatingly passed sideways.
Ilinyu, charging like a raging bull, took Taeyangs pass and rifled a shot at goal.
Goal! Its a goal! Yoon Taeyangs calm pass and Ilinyus finish!
From that distance, he smashed it firsttime! Ilinyu, as always!
Heath Jonathan smacked his lips watching Ilinyu roar after scoring.
He regretted anew not bringing him in.
Baufftini was solid, sure, but as a finisher, there were gaps.
If only theyd signed Ilinyu, they couldve perfected the attack line for an even more flawless Chelsea than now.
But Ilinyu had rejected Chelseas offer and donned Newcastles blackandwhite kit.
Damn Newcastle.
Heath Jonathan cursed them inwardly while urging his players on.
But Chelsea couldnt find a clear chance, and time ticked away frustratingly.
Chelseas manager was probably smacking his lips over Ilinyu right about now.
Regretting letting a sure catch slip away, something like that.
It was understandable.
In my memory, Chelseas powerhouse era had Ilinyu up front instead of Baufftini.
If theyd signed a decent striker in Ilinyus place, they mightve turned those four frustrating draws this season into wins.
But that was just an if.
In reality, Jonathan had let Ilinyu go and settled for Baufftini, dropping points they shouldve taken and giving Newcastle a chance to close in.
See how crucial a managers decisions are?
Anyway, the match was nearing its end.
Thats when it happened.
Deloa, quiet until now, sprang into action.
He advanced past a few with passes, fed it to Baufftini, infiltrated the space, took the return pass, charged at Lichera, pulled off a Marseille Turn, and scored.
Oh.
Deloa was Deloa, after all.
Arrrgh!
The man himself, ignoring my admiration, seemed unable to contain his rage.
His gaze turned to me.
Oh dear, tsk tsk.
Hed wanted revenge for being toyed with last match, but rushed it, failed, and handed us two goals instead.
Emotions had eaten him, preventing his true skill from shining.
Or should I say he restrained his emotions so hard that his skill faltered?
Deloas play changed after venting his anger.
Upon restart, Deloa stole the ball again and surged forward fiercely.
He escaped pressure with a pass to beat one, nutmegged another with astonishing ball touch.
And headed for goal.
To equalize.
I checked the time left.
Regular time was up.
Only injury time remained.
Would the ref let Deloas final desperation run?
But...
Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!!
Too far from goal.
The match ended with the decisive refs whistle.
League Round 12.
The moment we overtook Chelsea for 1st place.
Newcastle Claims Premier League Summit!
Newcastle Surpasses Chelsea for 1st, But the Road Ahead is Long.
Artelli Stats Dont Tell Everything.
Heath Jonathan Stats Dont Lie. We Just Lacked Data.
Newcastle United hadnt topped the table even once inseason over the past 10 years.
Theyd hovered between 3rd and 6th, scrapping fiercely just for Champions League spots.
Beyond that, Man Citys monster team had monopolized 1st, making it tough for Newcastle to challenge.
Anyway, the Toons were thrilled with their first 1st place in a decade.
If only they could hold it and win the league, but regrettably, much remained.
Point gaps between teams werent wide yeta single slip could drop them to 7th or 8th overnight.
Around now, most Premier League teams began managing players per club and manager styles.
To prepare for Boxing Day ahead.
Boxing Day, with potentially four or five games every three days if packed, could predict champions and divide top, mid, and bottom teams.
Even young core player Taeyang got even more systematic close management from the team.
Postmatch, sports scientists, medical staff, fitness coaches, sports masseuses, and all sorts of machines swarmed him.
Others got the same, but young Taeyang, with unknowns, got more personnel.
Unimportant matches saw strict rotation.
Young or greedy players might complain about reduced playtime, but Taeyang, with prior pro experience, loathed overexerting and injuring for one game tomorrow, so he followed club management strictly.
The manager and staff loved this most.
What kid spares his body without ego? Admirable.
Thus, in Round 13 vs. Crystal Palace, Taeyang sat out.
Omar, Redelry, and Ilinyu filled in, Isel and Silva subbed later, cruising to a 20 win.
Newcastles next was home vs. Barcelona.
Taeyang played, notched an assist, subbed at 71, securing 10 victory.
Newcastle had one group game left, but Milan beat strong Barcelona home and away to win the group of death.
No one predicted Newcastle topping their group when draws were announcedastonishing.
Same for the league.
Who foresaw Artellis Newcastle topping under young Yoon Taeyang?
Taeyang had 15 goals and 8 assists in 10 league games2nd in goals, 1st in assists.
Only Feliciano topped him in goals 17 in 13 games.
Hardcarrying his crisishit team, he was Man Us symbol.
Playstyle and nationality echoed Ronaldo, Messis rival, earning second Ronaldobut personality differed.
Unlike his childish national legend, his was flawless.
One similarity winatallcosts drive.
He burned to win against rivals, regardless of age, status, gender.
Yoon Taeyang is a great kid. Good rival. But Ill win.
Yoon Taeyangs good. But Im better.
Competing with him spurs me.
Why so chatty from the mediashy guy?
Reporters mention rivals rarely prompt interviews.
But extra talky? Simple reason.
Next round Man U vs. Newcastle.